Voltaire
29th August 2008, 07:30
I bought a 900ss from Haldanes recently and in the first week of ownership I have done 700 kms. The last 'newish' bike I had was a Z1000j in 1985 with a variety of classic Euro bikes since then.
So far I have been to Raglan, Wellsford and would have gone to Miranda but the road is closed.
What I want in a bike is style, fun, noise, handling and good mid range power, and the 900 fits the bill nicely.
I got the bike at Haldanes after looking around for a few weeks, some of the private sales were well used and lacking service history. I can't recall any good experiences with car or bike dealers from the past but Haldanes can count me as a new satisfied customer. Botany Honda also had two and I took one for a 160 km test ride down to Miranda and had I not seen the Haldanes one with all the carbon fibre goodies I would have bought that one.
The riding position is a bit harsh round town on my 47 year old parts but once your up to about 80 kmh its fine, seat is comfortable for 300 km and back and wrists ok. I find my off road kidney belt is really good for the lower back, 300 km on tank of 15 litres is over 50 mpg, better than my old R75/5.
Gearing is a tad high imho but that can be altered later with a larger rear sprocket etc.
As for servicing, 10 000km to check the desmos and maybe an oil change in between, cost of this......not too bothered.
Its going to be a great summer, Ducati on the road, KDX200 off it with the kids....( looking for a XR 200 for my son to replace the XR 100)
" Too old for a Japanese 600 and too young for a Harley"
So far I have been to Raglan, Wellsford and would have gone to Miranda but the road is closed.
What I want in a bike is style, fun, noise, handling and good mid range power, and the 900 fits the bill nicely.
I got the bike at Haldanes after looking around for a few weeks, some of the private sales were well used and lacking service history. I can't recall any good experiences with car or bike dealers from the past but Haldanes can count me as a new satisfied customer. Botany Honda also had two and I took one for a 160 km test ride down to Miranda and had I not seen the Haldanes one with all the carbon fibre goodies I would have bought that one.
The riding position is a bit harsh round town on my 47 year old parts but once your up to about 80 kmh its fine, seat is comfortable for 300 km and back and wrists ok. I find my off road kidney belt is really good for the lower back, 300 km on tank of 15 litres is over 50 mpg, better than my old R75/5.
Gearing is a tad high imho but that can be altered later with a larger rear sprocket etc.
As for servicing, 10 000km to check the desmos and maybe an oil change in between, cost of this......not too bothered.
Its going to be a great summer, Ducati on the road, KDX200 off it with the kids....( looking for a XR 200 for my son to replace the XR 100)
" Too old for a Japanese 600 and too young for a Harley"