Riding jap bikes -advice please

[mdnzz]

Okay, if you can afford a Vrod, maybe. Have you taken a look at a sportie lately?

nothing wrong with sporties

[Two Smoker]

They go fairly quick.

Be even faster if he didnt use the clutch on up changes...

Just ride it! Like anything unfamiliar, treat it with respect and slowly ease into it to find its capabilities... Have fun

[Molly]

An XJR1300 was the first new bike I ever bought (albeit an ex-demonstrator). It was big, very comfortable, handled well, great brakes (same as R1), great two-up, lots and lots of midrange, and as good an all-round naked bike as you could ask for. However, the finish was terrible and, with the best will in the world, it looked as rough as f'k after one winter. It was also quite a boring bike in many ways.

As usual there's a lot of BS on KB about Harleys. I certainly wouldn't have an XJR over my new HD (or over any of the Harleys I've owned for that matter) but that's a personal choice based on experience (something many HD critcs are short of).

Enjoy the Yam. It's a bloody good bike (just 'transport' you understand, but good - not an 'event' like a Harley ride ;-)

[cindymay]

It's 'softer' - the clutch takes less effort, the gearshift 'snicks' instead of 'clunks' and any limp-wristed faggot can lock up the front brake on a Jappa.

Just take it easy on everything for the first few km..

Are not all bikes like this?

The center of gravity will be in a completely different place, so notice how heavy it is lifting it off the sidestand and rolling it side-to-side etc. Lots of things are in different places so check you can work all the controls before you head off. Have a putter around some streets where there is no traffic getting used to the indicators and brakes, and then out on the open road and sit on a comfy speed and just settle in. Keep the engine revs below about 6,000rpm (not critical) until you get used to how the engine behaves.

Have fun! Riding a different bike is awesome!

Steve

All the above and choose a clean flat area to stop as the bike will be taller than you are used to. Once they start to fall it is impossible to stop - for this girl anyway.