beyond
1st September 2006, 08:36
Part one:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=34913
Come and ride with me.
I jump aboard the GSX1400. I turn the key and both the speedo and tach needles do a full sweep across the clocks. The starter is thumbed and 1400cc of bullet proof motor, bursts into life. The clutch is released and I leave my property, taking my local roads to my favourite playground.
I’m in the country, the sun is shining and the roads are dry, roads I know like the back of my hand. The first short straight appears; the silky smooth Suzuki gear box gets kicked down a cog and the right grip is twisted hard. The front skims the ground in second gear and the bars go light. The awesome feeling of sheer torque pulls my arms forward and I lean towards the front of the bike to counteract the increasing forces. The horizon rapidly approaches as I flick into third and then fourth. Clutchless changes are no problem.
Now in fifth, on the six speed box, the needle hovers around 230kmh and the first sweeper approaches and under the helmet, no one can see the maniacal grin that splits my face.
The front, adjustable brake lever, is pulled slightly with two fingers, the throttle blipped and into fourth, then third; I slide up to the tank to get the weight over the front with a little trail braking into the corner as the bike is laid over. It drops in without effort and with slight throttle control I hold the line. As the corner exit approaches, the throttle is turned more and more and the bike stands up easily, powering into the next section. A tight series of corners is next.
I counter steer the bike hard into the left hander and feel the left foot peg, feeler bolt sliding across the asphalt and my boot jumps up and down a little with the bike heeled right over. The tyres are warm and grip is now at its best. Counter steering again and the bike immediately drops into the right hander, then back over to the left. The handling on this bike is sublime; it goes exactly where you want it. Haul on the front brake hard and the pads bite into the disks, slowing the 250kgs (wet) down remarkably quick, ready for the hard left hairpin; pick my line, turning in late to get the best view around the corner, change down, drop her over, off the brakes, hit the apex, throttle open, slingshot out of the exit with the beautiful sound of twin exhausts in full song. Oh what pleasure, indescribable feelings of euphoria and that adrenaline rush that sweeps your body when you ride to the edge and push a big bike to it’s limits.
A more open chicane is just ahead, I power down the short straight and chop down through the gears once more, throw her into the sweeping left, pegs scratching once again; this is a tight corner so more counter steering input is applied to the bars, to heel her into the right hander. A little head shake develops as the power is applied along with the counter steering forces and over she goes into the next gentler bend with the needle hitting 170kmh. This bike is a pleasure to ride. On we go, maintaining the pace and enjoying the seemingly endless series of bends this road dishes up.
Yes, it handles surprisingly well for a large heavy sports tourer and its lots of fun to ride.
Ground clearance can be an issue when it’s pushed really hard but I have found hanging off the bike allows me to corner even harder when required and if needed.
Summary.
I haven’t got tired of this bike. It does all I need it to. I can ride all day and then do it all again without discomfort. There comes a time, when you ride a lot, that you think it would be nice to have more power, so you start eyeing up the hyper sports tourers and the more rapid sporties. Then after a break you get back on the GSX1400 and you realize all over again, what a brilliant all rounder it really is and you go out and surf the torque wave again and you know, you just can’t part with it. It’s got under my skin like no other bike ever has. There’s something very satisfying about throwing a big heavy sports tourer through the twisties, going smooth on the throttle and hearing some harder bits touching down. You can actually ‘ride’ this bike and it requires your attention and input at all times. Stress relief, is a throttle twist away.
You can ride it lazily along in any gear but when you want some fun, it’s willing and able enough to accommodate you. I thought the hoon in me had been long killed off, which is why I settled for a sporty tourer, but this bike has reawakened that wild element that has lay dormant for so long. But, you know what? The remarkable thing is, that it does exactly what you want. Yes, I ride it “beyond” it’s design brief, but it loves it and so do I.
Pros.
Comfort, useable power, torque (oh yeah), reliability, heaps of under seat storage, handling, good fuel consumption when ridden normally.
Cons.
It likes tyres, ground clearance issues when pushed hard, fuel consumption when going hard.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=34913
Come and ride with me.
I jump aboard the GSX1400. I turn the key and both the speedo and tach needles do a full sweep across the clocks. The starter is thumbed and 1400cc of bullet proof motor, bursts into life. The clutch is released and I leave my property, taking my local roads to my favourite playground.
I’m in the country, the sun is shining and the roads are dry, roads I know like the back of my hand. The first short straight appears; the silky smooth Suzuki gear box gets kicked down a cog and the right grip is twisted hard. The front skims the ground in second gear and the bars go light. The awesome feeling of sheer torque pulls my arms forward and I lean towards the front of the bike to counteract the increasing forces. The horizon rapidly approaches as I flick into third and then fourth. Clutchless changes are no problem.
Now in fifth, on the six speed box, the needle hovers around 230kmh and the first sweeper approaches and under the helmet, no one can see the maniacal grin that splits my face.
The front, adjustable brake lever, is pulled slightly with two fingers, the throttle blipped and into fourth, then third; I slide up to the tank to get the weight over the front with a little trail braking into the corner as the bike is laid over. It drops in without effort and with slight throttle control I hold the line. As the corner exit approaches, the throttle is turned more and more and the bike stands up easily, powering into the next section. A tight series of corners is next.
I counter steer the bike hard into the left hander and feel the left foot peg, feeler bolt sliding across the asphalt and my boot jumps up and down a little with the bike heeled right over. The tyres are warm and grip is now at its best. Counter steering again and the bike immediately drops into the right hander, then back over to the left. The handling on this bike is sublime; it goes exactly where you want it. Haul on the front brake hard and the pads bite into the disks, slowing the 250kgs (wet) down remarkably quick, ready for the hard left hairpin; pick my line, turning in late to get the best view around the corner, change down, drop her over, off the brakes, hit the apex, throttle open, slingshot out of the exit with the beautiful sound of twin exhausts in full song. Oh what pleasure, indescribable feelings of euphoria and that adrenaline rush that sweeps your body when you ride to the edge and push a big bike to it’s limits.
A more open chicane is just ahead, I power down the short straight and chop down through the gears once more, throw her into the sweeping left, pegs scratching once again; this is a tight corner so more counter steering input is applied to the bars, to heel her into the right hander. A little head shake develops as the power is applied along with the counter steering forces and over she goes into the next gentler bend with the needle hitting 170kmh. This bike is a pleasure to ride. On we go, maintaining the pace and enjoying the seemingly endless series of bends this road dishes up.
Yes, it handles surprisingly well for a large heavy sports tourer and its lots of fun to ride.
Ground clearance can be an issue when it’s pushed really hard but I have found hanging off the bike allows me to corner even harder when required and if needed.
Summary.
I haven’t got tired of this bike. It does all I need it to. I can ride all day and then do it all again without discomfort. There comes a time, when you ride a lot, that you think it would be nice to have more power, so you start eyeing up the hyper sports tourers and the more rapid sporties. Then after a break you get back on the GSX1400 and you realize all over again, what a brilliant all rounder it really is and you go out and surf the torque wave again and you know, you just can’t part with it. It’s got under my skin like no other bike ever has. There’s something very satisfying about throwing a big heavy sports tourer through the twisties, going smooth on the throttle and hearing some harder bits touching down. You can actually ‘ride’ this bike and it requires your attention and input at all times. Stress relief, is a throttle twist away.
You can ride it lazily along in any gear but when you want some fun, it’s willing and able enough to accommodate you. I thought the hoon in me had been long killed off, which is why I settled for a sporty tourer, but this bike has reawakened that wild element that has lay dormant for so long. But, you know what? The remarkable thing is, that it does exactly what you want. Yes, I ride it “beyond” it’s design brief, but it loves it and so do I.
Pros.
Comfort, useable power, torque (oh yeah), reliability, heaps of under seat storage, handling, good fuel consumption when ridden normally.
Cons.
It likes tyres, ground clearance issues when pushed hard, fuel consumption when going hard.