My bike arrived this morning at 9:30, brought over from Masterton. I had not seen it in the flesh, or ridden one; just swung a leg over one in the local showroom. It was far better in the flesh than in the online pictures, the orange colour is more a sort of bronzy, burnt orange than the reddish hues it appeared on the web.
Why would I buy a bike I'd not test ridden? Well I've had 2 SV650s in the recent past (curvy and pointy) and know that the engine is sweet, and bullet proof. This time I wanted a change to something more befitting my geriatric years.
Having drooled over it a bit, and wiped the mess off, it was time to get my gear on and go. I pressed the start, nothing happened...check it's in neutral...it is? bugger...a Suzuki...pull clutch in and hide embarrassment as it purrs into life.
Are you still reading this? Hope you weren't expecting anything exciting and erudite.
The first shakedown ride was really positive; with 147kms on the odometer I was surprised at how smooth and slick the gear box was. The engine itself was 'tight' and that certainly showed in the fuel consumption. I'm certain that this engine will loosen up nicely in the next few thousand ks so that's not a concern.
I quickly felt at home with the upright sitting position and had a great view of everything around me. A big change from head down, bum up. Certainly no pressure on the wrists around town.
I found the front end really light and easy steering, but dived a bit on heavy braking. The screen was set at it's lowest and I did get a bit of buffeting so back home for a cuppa. Whilst it was brewing I added more preload front and rear. The rear preload is really easy with just a nice dial to turn just in front of the pillion footrests. Changing the screen height required the removal of 6 screws and 4 hex head bolts, so I just put it up to the highest setting and may well leave it that way.
Back out again, and I really noticed a lot of buffeting, but the wind had picked up. It seemed when the wind dropped that it was better than before, but it's not a biggie. The road from Inglewood to New Plymouth is not really exciting but the riding position was comfortable, and apart from the helmet buffeting (ooer missus) I was well protected. The ride was improved by the extra preload, I will set the static sag properly, but those settings will do for now.
From New Plymouth I headed out along the Surf highway to go through some gentle twisties just past Oakura marked with 45. Rolling into them in the wet (so much for the sunshine) the bike was rock steady even with bumps mid corner. If I consciously used a quick bit of counter steer the bike just flicked in quickly and surely. After a few twisties it goes all straight and boring, apart from the views to either side. Just munching the kilometers was easy and relaxed and the sun was out, so I headed towards Dawson falls and some bends to relieve the boredom on the way home.
Looking forward to the next ride. This bike was so easy to enjoy and had me grinning all day. Just 150 kms today and I'm ready to go again.
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Originally Posted by bluninja
I'm down to about 127kg now...but the training is now sending it the other way. Wee a bit lower than the V? Don't understand the question. Er indoors is available for pillion duty once I'm up to speed and bought her some gear. She hasn't been on the back for a long time, but with me on board the bike is already loaded.
I went all stiff and felt every rock movement and transmitted it back to the bike, the bike didn't give a stuff and just carried on despite my best efforts to unsettle it. There's some more roadworks further along with plenty of cement dust, so I got to bathe my babe for the first time. I did stop and tried to take pics on my phone, but they came out poor....but here it is anyway...
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