Tales from the Emporium

**warewolf** · 30th June 2009, 20:30

Originally Posted by JATZ

It certainly gets up and goes still, 180 between the one lane bridges on edwards rd was easy, before mrs Jatz started to hit me

not that I make a habit of that sort of thing

Me neither. Had to drop Meri off at the airport in AKL early one morning. Filtered to the front of the line leading on to the motorway so I could have an uninterrupted run... hit 200 before the 100 sign despite not being able to use full throttle because her tramping pack was pulling the front too far off the ground

She did say she needed a bit of a wake-up... she was pretty wide-eyed and buzzing after that.

**clint640** · 1st July 2009, 11:40

Originally Posted by warewolf

On the tar I've seen 185 on the speedo and it was still climbing, ?

Jeez, that's not bad, best I've seen (on a closed private road of course) was 177, & that was on a slight downhill, on the flat about 165. 16:40 gearing. Mine over reads by ~ 6km/h at 100.

More importantly, I have confirmed (on the same closed private road) that the 640 is faster in a straight line than a DR650 or an F650 Dakar.

Clint

**Oscar** · 1st July 2009, 11:44

Originally Posted by clint640

Jeez, that's not bad, best I've seen (on a closed private road of course) was 177, & that was on a slight downhill, on the flat about 165. 16:40 gearing. Mine over reads by ~ 6km/h at 100.

More importantly, I have confirmed (on the same closed private road) that the 640 is faster in a straight line than a DR650 or an F650 Dakar.

Clint

I saw about 175 on my 640e on standard gearing.

I'm actually missing the ole 640, and Boyds have a newish 625SXC - what do you know about them?

**warewolf** · 1st July 2009, 11:46

Originally Posted by clint640

Jeez, that's not bad, best I've seen (on a closed private road of course) was 177, & that was on a slight downhill, on the flat about 165.

Quite possibly the fairing and low front guard more than make up for the extra 10kg the A carries. Wind drag is the biggest issue at high speed. I'm told the mirrors alone can be worth 10-15km/h in the mid-200s.

**Oscar** · 1st July 2009, 11:48

Originally Posted by warewolf

Quite possibly the fairing and low front guard more than make up for the extra 10kg the A carries. Wind drag is the biggest issue at high speed. I'm told the mirrors alone can be worth 10-15km/h in the mid-200s.

When the Honda Blackbird and the Suzuki Hiyabusa came out, I remember reading an article by Kevin Cameron that said at the the top speed of those bikes (180ish mph), every extra mile per hour required another 8hp.

**XF650** · 1st July 2009, 13:04

Originally Posted by warewolf

No, but the only carcass failure (small splits inside and out) I've had was the BF Goodrich Crossengo that is only M/130 rated. It only went on the 640A after doing a 6 hour cross country and various other rides, so it wasn't fresh.

Golly, I had better check my Crossengo's - the DT230 has a very respectable top speed.

**warewolf** · 1st July 2009, 13:26

Originally Posted by Oscar

When the Honda Blackbird and the Suzuki Hiyabusa came out, I remember reading an article by Kevin Cameron that said at the the top speed of those bikes (180ish mph), every extra mile per hour required another 8hp.

Wow... I knew it was huge up in that region but never seen a number before. Even with +50hp (and %) the Trophy has it would probably only take the top speed up another 15-20km/h.

I read an article about aerodynamics and bike design; the designer was asked if he could make any dramatic improvements to reduce drag, the reply was, "yep, sure, if we got rid of the rider".

**clint640** · 1st July 2009, 16:09

Originally Posted by Oscar

I saw about 175 on my 640e on standard gearing.

I'm actually missing the ole 640, and Boyds have a newish 625SXC - what do you know about them?

You've had a ride on one haven't ya? They iz good. The flatslide carb makes em do better wheelies. Your chances of getting the 640 back are pretty slim given how much fun the new owner is having on it.

Originally Posted by warewolf

Quite possibly the fairing and low front guard more than make up for the extra 10kg the A carries. .

Yep, that'd be it, I forgot about the low guard.

At risk of being on topic talking about DR parts, I just ordered a bunch 'o bits for my worn BST40 carb from KTM, they're cheaper ex Austria from KTM than they are ex Japan from either Suzuki, or Bikesports who claim to be a Mikuni agent. KTM sell the slide guide too which Suzuki dont.

Clint

**Oscar** · 1st July 2009, 16:40

Originally Posted by clint640

You've had a ride on one haven't ya? They iz good. The flatslide carb makes em do better wheelies. Your chances of getting the 640 back are pretty slim given how much fun the new owner is having on it.

I'm glad he's liking it.
Is he coming on the MMMMM ride?
I've got a spare key or him.

I gonna try and get a ride on the SXC tomorrow.

**Padmei** · 2nd July 2009, 08:49

Hey Nordie are you getting a KTM? Don't you like your DR anymore?

**NordieBoy** · 2nd July 2009, 09:47

No KTM yet.
But I've scratched the 640A off the "possible upgrade" list.

I'm doing a "pure unnecessary farkle" mod to the DR at the moment.

A roller bearing roller bottom chain guide

It'll be heavier, time consuming to make and of dubious value.

Anyone else want one?