Emoto
04-20-2004, 12:13 PM
Picked the bike up late Saturday afternoon. Posted this to an email list I am on, after riding it for much of Sunday:
Still breaking it in and getting used to it (only 150 miles so far), so
I haven't really wrung it out. What I can say right off the bat is that
physically, it fits me quite well; better than any bike I have had
before. I sit in a relaxed upright position and my hands fall very
naturally to the grips. My legs are bent slightly, but only a little bit
beyond 90 degrees. The seat is firm, but comfortable, with a textured
finish that helps to hold you in place. The bike feels narrow at the
waist, much like a dirt bike would, and the shifter and brake pedal are
tucked in fairly tightly.
Switchgear, although fundamentally unchanged, has been updated to
operate with very little motion, and a distinct click is felt when each
switch is operated. Turn the chipped/immobilizer key to the on position,
watch the LCD panel go through a self check, then thumb the started
button. There is no manual choke or enrichener control. The engine fires
up without drama and immediately settles into an idle just over 1000
rpm. The headlight stays off until the engine is running.
Snick it into gear and pull away. The engine is quite responsive and
more willing to rev than any other of this type that I have ridden.
Plenty of power below the break-in restriction of 4000 rpm. No idea what
full throttle feels like, due to break-in restrictions, but one can
easily pass cars on back roads just by gently rolling on the gas. The
fuel injection does not seem to react as abruptly to small changes of
throttle position as the older FI system did. This makes low speed
operation much more pleasant. The transmission shifts with a short throw
and very little effort. This is a VERY nice transmission. Wouldn't feel
out of place on a GSXR. The steering is very light and responsive, which
one might expect with the wide handlebars and 110 section front tire.
Still, the agility is surprising in a good way. The bike will go where
you point it Right Now but is not twitchy. Until I learned to moderate
my steering inputs, I was oversteering. It leans into corners quite
willingly and has no problem changing lines mid-corner, should that be
required. It is quite happy to lean over far enough to let me bevel my
boot soles, although that wouldn't be happening if I put the balls of my
feet on the pegs like a racer. Braking is very, very good. Seems to
brake as hard as anything I have ridden, perhaps to the point of doing
stoppies, with very little effort required at the lever.
The ride is firm but controlled. The WP shocks do a nice job. Not as
compliant at first blush as Ohlins, although not far off, but with only
150 miles on them, they may not have loosened up as much as they're
going to yet. Wind protection is more than a sportbike, but less than
that monster aftermarket windshield I had on the RS. No turbulence or
buffeting at highway speeds. Lots of steering lock makes U-turns pretty
easy.
So far, I am very happy with this bike and intend to go out and put some more miles on it after another cup of coffee...
Monday: Took the day off and rode it all day. The odometer read 430 miles when I got home.
Still very impressed. Don't believe what you may have read about the LCD display being hard to read in the sun. It is easy to read, even with (or without) polarized sunglasses. Rough calculation on my third tank was 48 mpg. Should have it up to 600 miles by the end of next weekend and will drop it off for the first service next week.
Still breaking it in and getting used to it (only 150 miles so far), so
I haven't really wrung it out. What I can say right off the bat is that
physically, it fits me quite well; better than any bike I have had
before. I sit in a relaxed upright position and my hands fall very
naturally to the grips. My legs are bent slightly, but only a little bit
beyond 90 degrees. The seat is firm, but comfortable, with a textured
finish that helps to hold you in place. The bike feels narrow at the
waist, much like a dirt bike would, and the shifter and brake pedal are
tucked in fairly tightly.
Switchgear, although fundamentally unchanged, has been updated to
operate with very little motion, and a distinct click is felt when each
switch is operated. Turn the chipped/immobilizer key to the on position,
watch the LCD panel go through a self check, then thumb the started
button. There is no manual choke or enrichener control. The engine fires
up without drama and immediately settles into an idle just over 1000
rpm. The headlight stays off until the engine is running.
Snick it into gear and pull away. The engine is quite responsive and
more willing to rev than any other of this type that I have ridden.
Plenty of power below the break-in restriction of 4000 rpm. No idea what
full throttle feels like, due to break-in restrictions, but one can
easily pass cars on back roads just by gently rolling on the gas. The
fuel injection does not seem to react as abruptly to small changes of
throttle position as the older FI system did. This makes low speed
operation much more pleasant. The transmission shifts with a short throw
and very little effort. This is a VERY nice transmission. Wouldn't feel
out of place on a GSXR. The steering is very light and responsive, which
one might expect with the wide handlebars and 110 section front tire.
Still, the agility is surprising in a good way. The bike will go where
you point it Right Now but is not twitchy. Until I learned to moderate
my steering inputs, I was oversteering. It leans into corners quite
willingly and has no problem changing lines mid-corner, should that be
required. It is quite happy to lean over far enough to let me bevel my
boot soles, although that wouldn't be happening if I put the balls of my
feet on the pegs like a racer. Braking is very, very good. Seems to
brake as hard as anything I have ridden, perhaps to the point of doing
stoppies, with very little effort required at the lever.
The ride is firm but controlled. The WP shocks do a nice job. Not as
compliant at first blush as Ohlins, although not far off, but with only
150 miles on them, they may not have loosened up as much as they're
going to yet. Wind protection is more than a sportbike, but less than
that monster aftermarket windshield I had on the RS. No turbulence or
buffeting at highway speeds. Lots of steering lock makes U-turns pretty
easy.
So far, I am very happy with this bike and intend to go out and put some more miles on it after another cup of coffee...
Monday: Took the day off and rode it all day. The odometer read 430 miles when I got home.
Still very impressed. Don't believe what you may have read about the LCD display being hard to read in the sun. It is easy to read, even with (or without) polarized sunglasses. Rough calculation on my third tank was 48 mpg. Should have it up to 600 miles by the end of next weekend and will drop it off for the first service next week.