F*ck Valentines!.....

**boomer** · 17th February 2006, 22:15

nice looking bike bro.. ENJOY !!!!!!

**skelstar** · 23rd February 2006, 08:17

For my 2000th post I thought I would post a wee update for those who are interested.

Its been about 8 days since getting my new bike and I have done about 950kms. I had kinda hoped I would get the first service done before taking it out on Manfield this Saturday. All those kms were done in my gargre of course.

My impressions of the bike?

Its obviously fast. Its got a fireblade motor in it of course. Everytime I give it a 'bit of a nudge' (ie half-throttle) Im launched backwards while the bike is launched forwards at a great rate of knots. I can see how they came up with the sprotsbikes riding position...you have to lean forward and HANG ON!!! I havent got much over 6000rpm and half-throttle. Maybe at the track ill give it some 'welly'. Im scared sh1tless to be honest

.

Its hard work riding it in 50km zones. Its hard sticking to 50km/h and its hard being smooth with the very jerky throttle. Fuel management is to blame here I guess. Roundabouts are a nightmare and Im not looking forward to the first trip to work in the rain. I pillioned someone for the first time last night and even though we were travelling at 100+ it was still reasonably difficult riding smooth due to the gear changes. Well its friggin difficult doing 100+ in your gargre anyway I guess. Im thinking clutchless gear changes may be the solution.

The bike feels awesomely planted when Im in the twisty stuff. I firmed up the rear suspension after my first ride (rear rebound set to 4) and am now very happy with the feel of the bike. I think the front is a wee bit soft but Im not going to touch that too much as I dont know what Im doing and its not bad. I had the opportunity to ride the bike in a bit of wind last night and it wasnt nearly as unstable as my 250 which is what I wanted. The 250's suss was quite soft but never took the time to adjust it. My bad.

The seat isnt too uncomfortable. I rode about 100kms in one go out in the wairar...err...I mean 'gargre' and was getting ants in my pants at about 100kms. I hadnt had a coffee at that stage so it could have been the lack of caffeine. Ill looking forward to longer trips shortly.

Mods: I have changed the bars on the bike as I found the stock ones were a little too narrow and swept back. Its more about what Im used to in my old bike. The bar changing was a bit of a mission as we had to drill holes into the bar to locate the grips (not very cool) and am struggling to find bar ends that will fit the 14mm ID of the bar. The black bar does look very sexy though, and will set the twin Buell headlights off nicely, once I get them. That in itself will be a mission. Nevermind. I have also fitted the Oggy knobs. Wanted white ones but got black. Ce la vie.

Next big trip is to Auckland for the March18 U2 concert. Much more excited about the trip up than the concert itself. Im sure it will 'go orf'.

Anyway, catch ya.

**Zapf** · 23rd February 2006, 08:31

Originally Posted by skelstar

Its hard sticking to 50km/h and its hard being smooth with the very jerky throttle. Fuel management is to blame here I guess. Roundabouts are a nightmare and Im not looking forward to the first trip to work in the rain.

I recommend relaxing your arms and get a throttlo boss.... the "boss" helps you to apply preload onto the throttlo and gives u a better transistion from off to on. Man those EVO7's are fast.....

**skelstar** · 23rd February 2006, 08:38

Yeah, I intend to get one but havent found one yet. Admittedly I havent asked at the shops though.

**Zapf** · 23rd February 2006, 09:50

Originally Posted by skelstar

Yeah, I intend to get one but havent found one yet. Admittedly I havent asked at the shops though.

I can get one for you in Auckland.... let me know... and what do I do with the pipes?

**Groins_NZ** · 23rd February 2006, 09:53

Hey skelstar,

I like the pic in your first post, especially the front end. The headlights fitted lower on the forks looks good. Are you a belly-pan man?

About the throttle - I noticed that a lot when I first got mine. I think now, a.) I've gotten used to it, b.) the blade has worn in making things a bit smoother and c.) I also took up a bit of slack in the throttle cable which may help you initially (so you haven't got that dead spot in the throttle grip when you roll it on). From what you describe though it sounds like an engine 'run-in' issue (IMHO) i.e. the engines are built to very tight clearances and when new won't idle along very nicely (does that make sense).

Cheers mate.

**skelstar** · 23rd February 2006, 09:54

Hold on to them Zapf if thats cool. Ill have panniers soon and might grab off you when I come up for U2 concert.

Went and visited Cycleworks yesterday. The guy was a bit dubious about performing the 'bafflectomy' but quoted $150. Bit too much for me as I could tech do it myself...just dont have the tools. He did say that because the cans were ugo under the heatsheilds that he could cut the cans, rip out the internals and put his own stuff in there (presumably exhaust stuff), and patch it up stock like and quoted about $350. Better deal I think.

**Groins_NZ** · 23rd February 2006, 10:08

Originally Posted by skelstar

cut the cans, rip out the internals and put his own stuff

COOL

10chars

**pritch** · 23rd February 2006, 18:44

Originally Posted by skelstar

He did say that because the cans were ugo under the heatsheilds that he could cut the cans, rip out the internals and put his own stuff in there (presumably exhaust stuff), and patch it up stock like and quoted about $350.

I'd be interested to know what "stuff" he puts in. Some owners in the USA report having to have a degree of backpressure for the bike to function properly.

Also if you modify the exhaust much you had better factor in a Power Commander. This will also eliminate the "sudden death" throttle.

**T.I.E** · 23rd February 2006, 18:54

that is a hot looking machine for sure.

**Kendog** · 24th February 2006, 20:26

Originally Posted by skelstar

Its hard work riding it in 50km zones. Its hard sticking to 50km/h and its hard being smooth with the very jerky throttle. Fuel management is to blame here I guess.

I know what you mean. The new Hornet is very touchy on the throttle compared to the 2003 one. I am assuming this is due to the engine still running in.
Also, I have done the flapper mod on the new bike (yet to ride it) but a lot of people say this smooths it out.

**Kendog** · 24th February 2006, 20:26

Originally Posted by Zapf

I recommend relaxing your arms and get a throttlo boss.... the "boss" helps you to apply preload onto the throttlo and gives u a better transistion from off to on. Man those EVO7's are fast.....

Whats a throttle boss?

**et al** · 24th February 2006, 21:54

Originally Posted by Kendog

Whats a throttle boss?

They might be talking about something more sophisticated - but I think it is basically a piece of plastic that you wrap around the throttle as an extension/lever - so you can relax your grip on the throttle and control it with your palm/wrist to give your hand a break on long rides. Groins NZ showed me the one he had a while ago - I made one up myself but have not done any long trips to see if it is any good or not. Next time I see you remind me to show you.

**Groins_NZ** · 25th February 2006, 09:34

Incidentally there is a product called the "ThrottleBoss"...
ThrottleBoss

This product looks nice but the price ain't...
Throttlemeister

The Throttlemeister is a friction device where as the ThrottleBoss and the 'do-dacky' I have are for reducing muscle fatigue as you can rest the palm of your hand on them instead of gripping the throttle all the time. Not a problem if you're doing short trips but comes into it's own on longer rides.

I think previous posts in this thread were referring to the friction devices as opposed to the anti-muscle ache variety?