James Deuce
30th March 2007, 19:01
Talk about bittersweet.
I've gotten to know Nudemetalz over the last few months and I've known he's been struggling with a bit of a demon. For the moment the demon is in the ascendant so actually riding bikes is out of the question.
This means that Mrs NM gets to inherit NM's current obsession, a Moto Guzzi V11, and Mrs NM's RF400 has been sold to a young chap new to this site, kneescraper.
See what I mean? I get to deliver a bike to Napier, kneescraper gets a new ride, and NM sits at home on the couch. A two faced dilemma indeed.
The inspiring thing about NM though is that he isn't passively accepting his fate and shunning motorcycles, motorcyclists, and motorcycling in general, rather he's pleased that someone will get pleasure from the RF, and most of all his beloved wife gets to enjoy the Guzzi. Plus we'll keep meeting up for lunch and talking rubbish about bikes.
I'm a lucky boy in many ways, not the least of which is earning both NM and kneescraper's trust, enough so that I get to do an "almost delivered" run this to Napier weekend, and get to remember all those things about 400cc bikes that I used to love getting on for 20 years ago.
The big thing that stands out with the RF is literally its apparent big size. It's an illusion though, with the accomodation being somewhat more cramped than I'm used to. But by crikey does it fling itself into a corner. Nudging the bars to set up that, "Sorry officer I was warming the tyres" weave along the motorway gives the impression of a bike that is almost too stable. But it isn't. It's just right.
Keeping the revs up is another art I've lost, thanks to my super flexible 750. No drama though. Typical slick Suzuki gearbox and variable valve timing that chimes (or rather clicks) in at 7800rpm (or thereabouts) gives plenty of hints of how to ride this bike. Keep it above 6000rpm and it's smooth and responsive. Under that the off idle flat spot and rubber band throttle response would drive a typical V-Twin rider nuts (eh Mrs NM :) ).
I'm really sorry NM and kneescraper, I melted your rear tyre going up the Rimutakas (see photo below). What I can't get over is that it's one of my most hated tyres of all time - The dreaded Bridgestone Cyrox. OEM equipment on RC30s, they taught more than I ever wanted to know about "rear wheel steering", or as we used to call it back then, "I have to get my leathers dry cleaned again". Not on the RF though. No dramas at all in fact.
The RF cruises happily on the open road at *mumble* km/hr, with 6th gear being an overdrive that probably defeats the purpose of saving gas, because you need a fair amount of throttle to hold 100km/hr. 5th or even 4th is a much more pleasant option at 100km/hr and allows overtaking without paddling the gear lever.
I've got another couple of days with this bike.
Looking forward to it........
I've gotten to know Nudemetalz over the last few months and I've known he's been struggling with a bit of a demon. For the moment the demon is in the ascendant so actually riding bikes is out of the question.
This means that Mrs NM gets to inherit NM's current obsession, a Moto Guzzi V11, and Mrs NM's RF400 has been sold to a young chap new to this site, kneescraper.
See what I mean? I get to deliver a bike to Napier, kneescraper gets a new ride, and NM sits at home on the couch. A two faced dilemma indeed.
The inspiring thing about NM though is that he isn't passively accepting his fate and shunning motorcycles, motorcyclists, and motorcycling in general, rather he's pleased that someone will get pleasure from the RF, and most of all his beloved wife gets to enjoy the Guzzi. Plus we'll keep meeting up for lunch and talking rubbish about bikes.
I'm a lucky boy in many ways, not the least of which is earning both NM and kneescraper's trust, enough so that I get to do an "almost delivered" run this to Napier weekend, and get to remember all those things about 400cc bikes that I used to love getting on for 20 years ago.
The big thing that stands out with the RF is literally its apparent big size. It's an illusion though, with the accomodation being somewhat more cramped than I'm used to. But by crikey does it fling itself into a corner. Nudging the bars to set up that, "Sorry officer I was warming the tyres" weave along the motorway gives the impression of a bike that is almost too stable. But it isn't. It's just right.
Keeping the revs up is another art I've lost, thanks to my super flexible 750. No drama though. Typical slick Suzuki gearbox and variable valve timing that chimes (or rather clicks) in at 7800rpm (or thereabouts) gives plenty of hints of how to ride this bike. Keep it above 6000rpm and it's smooth and responsive. Under that the off idle flat spot and rubber band throttle response would drive a typical V-Twin rider nuts (eh Mrs NM :) ).
I'm really sorry NM and kneescraper, I melted your rear tyre going up the Rimutakas (see photo below). What I can't get over is that it's one of my most hated tyres of all time - The dreaded Bridgestone Cyrox. OEM equipment on RC30s, they taught more than I ever wanted to know about "rear wheel steering", or as we used to call it back then, "I have to get my leathers dry cleaned again". Not on the RF though. No dramas at all in fact.
The RF cruises happily on the open road at *mumble* km/hr, with 6th gear being an overdrive that probably defeats the purpose of saving gas, because you need a fair amount of throttle to hold 100km/hr. 5th or even 4th is a much more pleasant option at 100km/hr and allows overtaking without paddling the gear lever.
I've got another couple of days with this bike.
Looking forward to it........