FAAARRRRRRRRKKKKKKK! Gimme gimme gimme!
I've been anticipating the release of this bike more than any other Suzuki this year. Why? you ask. Well I've got a K3 1000 and although it aint quite a K5, it's blinding all the same. I've ridden DR-Zs in the mud and they impress the shit outta me. Motarding is the most fun you can have with your pants on, so it makes sense to combine the two.
When the bike was being uncrated, I wasn't too sure about the yellow/white/red colour scheme. The 320mm front rotor is grouse and the spoked wheels with black anodised rims look as tricky as David Blain at an International Sceptics Convention. I'd prefer the bike in the black colour scheme but beggars can't be choosers apparently, and I'm not paying for it. The Dunlop D208 tyres seem a softer compound than normal and the rear one doesn't look quite wide enough nestled between the gorgeous, tapered aloy swing arm, courtesay of the RM-Z.
Once seated on the vynal covered 4X2 saddle you get an idea of what Motards are about. Low weight, tall seat and oodles of cornering clearance. The front guard looks more short and pointy than a dirt bikes, reminding you of the street origins intended for this bike.
Hit the magic starter button (stick your kick starters up your arse, I'm a blouse) and for a modern bike, it's remarkably rowdy. Engage the first of the five gears, quite a few revs (it's pretty tall geared) and bit of clutch slip. You're off.
Your 1st 50 meters of travel on a Motard should always be the same. Tackled on one wheel. Unfortunately, don't get one of these if wheelie school attendance is booked. Tall gearing, coupled with more weight, less power and torque than it's enduro brother, means this sort of behaviour takes alot more effort than you'd expect. Yes, it will wheelie off the throttle in first or second gear, but not in the same knee jerk reaction style as a chook chaser on road tyres would. You have to really want it and put in a bit of body language. Once up there though, YAHOOOO! Broad, even torque delivery with brilliant throttle response means that you'll be acheiving Star Boyz style hangtime with a little practice.
Red light coming up at 80kph? Mint! Big handfull of that front stopper and the rear's hovering a foot and half in space as you glide past the stationary traffic, headlight pointing roadwards.
The gear ratios are really well spaced for road riding and there's not alot of vibration from the liquid cooled single at normal revs. It does get a bit harsh at high revs but you'd have to expect that anyway. Because this bike is brand new with only 9km on the digital speedo/trip computer thingy, I was taking it really easy but I'd anticipate top speed to be around 160-170kph.
The turn in surprised me I must admit. I expected radical, Buell style, think it and it's so type turning, when in fact, the kicked out dirt bike geometry means it's a little slow. Hold's a tight enough line if you're prepared to get your arse forward in the seat and get some weight over the front though. Riding this thing fast, you're going to need to use a fair bit of body language. Fat lazy bastards need not apply.
Sadly, I didn't have nearly enough time opn this bike but I've got to say, the 40 minutes I spent on it, was a hell of alot more laughable than the previous entire 6 months on the Gixxer. You can get away with bloody murder on this thing although I really believ my licence would suffer. If I was staying put in Wellington, I'd have this in the gargre tomorrow night. A big carb of the enduro spec bike and a Yoshimura exhaust system would be the first things fitted and you'd have a rip snorter.
Get into a Suzuki dealer tomorrow, blag a ride. Simple as that. If you're not laughing on your return, you're gay. Plain and simple.
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SENSEI PERFORMANCE TUNING 
Originally Posted by Skunk
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