68th birthday present

**Blackbird** · 24th October 2015, 09:31

Well, the Street Triple has gone to a lovely couple up north and I picked up the new toy from Holeshot yesterday. The GSX-S 1000 is based on the 2005-2008 GSX-R 1000 motor which was apparently regarded as a bit of a torque monster. With updated internals, 3 stage traction control, ABS, a brand new chassis and lower gearing than the Gixxer, it's a pretty nice machine. Surprisingly, it feels very much like my Street Triple in terms of ergonomics and manoeuvrability which is likely the main reason why I've gone for it. Oh, and the seat is low enough for this shortarse to get both feet flat! Holeshot set the traction control in Old Fart mode for the 190 km trip home, which I hope was a reflection of new tyres rather than my age

. Even though conditions were dry, I noticed that the traction control was cutting in on a few tight corners east of Kawakawa Bay.

Too early to make any major assessment other than it's really easy to ride and sounds terrific with the little stubby can. My butt ached a bit in the last few km of the journey but will probably get used to the new seat - either that or it will get an Airhawk like the Triple. Got a small screen on back order and having matte 3M clearfilm applied to some parts of the bodywork and a fenda extenda is on order along with crash knobs. Looking forward to getting some k's on it and growing older disgracefully!

**AllanB** · 24th October 2015, 09:55

Happy birthday! Nice colour too.

**Blackbird** · 24th October 2015, 09:58

Originally Posted by AllanB

Happy birthday! Nice colour too.

Thanks Allan

. The electric blue option looks too much like my old Blackbird and the red/black does nothing for me although it looks good on the faired version. Never been much of a fan of matte paint but it actually looks good on this one. Besides, an incognito colour has got to be good

**onearmedbandit** · 24th October 2015, 10:01

Nice looking bike, I must admit at first I wasn't keen on the styling but now I like it. All these extra electronics and therefore extra switches we're getting on bikes now is a bit of a concern for me, I'm occupied enough with one hand on the bike as it is already ha.

**Blackbird** · 24th October 2015, 10:18

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Nice looking bike, I must admit at first I wasn't keen on the styling but now I like it. All these extra electronics and therefore extra switches we're getting on bikes now is a bit of a concern for me, I'm occupied enough with one hand on the bike as it is already ha.

Can understand that as I was a bit like that too. Same with the foxeye headlights on later Street and Speed Triples but reckon they're ok too.

Hahaha - yeah, the manual is going to keep me busy over the wet weekend!

**PrincessBandit** · 24th October 2015, 10:34

Wow, that looks mean as. (Until I spied the "large print" dash display - for the ole eyesight?? lol)

Just kidding!!!! Have fun and what a great birthday present

**Blackbird** · 24th October 2015, 10:44

Originally Posted by PrincessBandit

Wow, that looks mean as. (Until I spied the "large print" dash display - for the ole eyesight?? lol)

Just kidding!!!! Have fun and what a great birthday present

Hahahaha

- not far from the truth I think! Actually, the dash is pretty busy but I learned to filter out the "noise" and focus on just a couple of readings. The Distance Before Refuelling looks pretty handy. Will have to see how accurate it is. Yep, it is a nice present even though a certain amount of grovelling was required to the Chief Financial Officer

**HenryDorsetCase** · 24th October 2015, 10:45

Good man.

I have been pondering an upgrade myself kind of. I really like my bike though, and a new Street Triple is not functionally superior enough to justify the extra cost. If I had a LOT of money to spend I'd buy a BMW R nine T I think but that isn't happening any time soon (unless someone wants to buy a development project on Bealey Ave? Anyone?)

I'll be interested to follow your experiences with it especially once it's run in.

**Blackbird** · 24th October 2015, 11:24

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

I really like my bike though, and a new Street Triple is not functionally superior enough to justify the extra cost. If I had a LOT of money to spend I'd buy a BMW R nine T I think but that isn't happening any time soon
I'll be interested to follow your experiences with it especially once it's run in.

With you having an "R" already, I understand that. Going from a standard Triple to an RX would be more acceptable for me BUT...... it's the 800cc Triple that I was hanging out for. Unfortunately, it could be a couple of years away and who is to say that we would like it? This is hopefully a decent compromise in the meantime.

I'll do a couple of posts on the blog as I get used to it. At present, it's so new that there's no point in tinkering with the suspension settings.

**Bassmatt** · 24th October 2015, 11:58

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Hahahaha

- The Distance Before Refuelling looks pretty handy. Will have to see how accurate it is.

It's not particularly accurate but at least it says 0 before you run out of fuel. I've run mine past zero a couple of times and reckon there's about 1 -1.5 litres left in the tank when it says ---- km.
You're Kiwi Geoff on the gsx s forum I presume?

**Blackbird** · 24th October 2015, 12:46

Originally Posted by Bassmatt

It's not particularly accurate but at least it says 0 before you run out of fuel. I've run mine past zero a couple of times and reckon there's about 1 -1.5 litres left in the tank when it says ---- km.
You're Kiwi Geoff on the gsx s forum I presume?

Thanks for that - at least there's warning! Yes indeed, have already picked up some good info, particularly about the value of a front guard extension in wet weather so have ordered one. How long have you had yours and is it the "S" or "F"? Where did you get yours from?

**Bassmatt** · 24th October 2015, 16:48

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Thanks for that - at least there's warning! Yes indeed, have already picked up some good info, particularly about the value of a front guard extension in wet weather so have ordered one. How long have you had yours and is it the "S" or "F"? Where did you get yours from?

I have the "S" in blue. I bought it from Moto City in Mt Maunganui. I have had it about 6 weeks I guess. I was "liasing" with Andrew for about a month before they arrived, I got to check them out as they came out of the crate so I could make sure I was still happy wth my colour choice.
He was really good to deal with and kept me in the loop whenever he had any news while waiting for them to arrive.
I'm not that happy with the throttle, I'm finding it really difficult to hold a constant speed but apart from that its great.
I've spent most of the day in the shed cleaning and polishing seeing it's not the best riding weather.
Will be up your way for a blast in a couple of weeks.

**Pound** · 24th October 2015, 17:27

Wow nice high quality photos there!

Bike looks awesome, aggressive, elegant and sporty.

Very, very nice

**Blackbird** · 24th October 2015, 17:34

Cool! They had a blue one at Holeshot and it looked really nice.

It is snatchy off a trailing throttle but interestingly, that was an issue with the Street Triple too. Consequently, I guess that I've subconsciously changed my technique a bit over time so it's not too bad. However, time will tell.....

Just waiting for the Suzuki screen to come in and will get the 3M anti-scuff on at the first service. Have ordered the Pyramid front guard extension and R&G crash bungs. Holeshot fitted paddock stand spools and spliced in switched cabling for my GPS and radar detector as part of the deal. Don't think there's anything else I want to do to it at present.

Send me a PM when you come up this way and if I'm around, drop in and have a coffee!