Watcha
Thought i'd share my first year experience of owning a gen 2 T, may answer some questions any newbies have or persuade any potential first timer to take the plunge.
I ride all year round and it is my main transport, why did i buy a T? Started on an SV650 and learnt a lot on that, just got to a point after a few years, I wanted more. I love the drive of a v twin, find it far more useful on the road than an inline 4 so wanted a bigger v twin. First thoughts were logical a sv1000, which i rode and didn't quite like it as i wanted something newer and a bit more, well special. Dismissed the ducati SF (far too expensive), was really tempted with a speed triple but i saw an advert in bike magazine for discounted Tuono's. Did the usual research, and the rest is history. Chopped in the sv on a brand new 59 plate matte black tuono r with free akras, all for the price of a cheap 600 super sport, bargain....
Am now approaching the 14k mark after 14 months ownership, yes i ride 1k miles per month, more in the nicer weather when I tour and do ride outs.
Best bits
Power, torque
Handling
Comfort
Poise, stability at high speed (will do 160mph ish) although prolonged high speed you will take a beating
It can tour, with the right gear, and see above point
Rides well on all road types, A roads, b roads, single track, motorway..
It will commute with a little compromise has heavy std clutch (yes fluid goes black)
Bad bits
Rubbish on fuel, commuting gets 100-110miles to a tank (average 30-35mpg) "“ this for me is the biggest downer to owning the T, but that's because i cover so many miles, not too bad if you only do a few thousand a year.
Pegs are a tad cramped "“ just invested in some adjustable pegs, lower for daily riding, higher for those more "˜spirited' days.
Some bolts show a bit of rust and decals are fading but general build is good
That's about all the bad bits from my view point, but just because of what i use it for and to be honest at the end of the day its a 120hp sports bike with no faring and a straight bar, so there has to be a compromise and these bits i live with just because its so much fun to ride no matter what the ride..
Mods i'd seriously recommend to improve the bike..
15t front and 42 t rear sprocket. I ride on all roads and this is by far the best mod I have done. Its much better riding at slow speeds with better low rev pick up, it's still not perfect but the T is a meaty twin, live with it.. Mid range punch is awesome and open the throttle fully at 6k and everything goes blurry. Oh and do this in first and you will probably flip the bike, do it in 2nd and the front wheel will point to the sky in a split second, do it in third or fourth and the front will go seriously light, remember to pull weight forward a tad.
Bin that crappy rear shock ASAP (r model only). It really is a pile of ***** (2nd best mod) this you will only truly understand when you have changed it. Most opt for the ohlins, but depending on budget and riding style you can get something more slicker and more expensive or do as I did, try the rsv sachs shock from the rsv, the one with the piggy back reservoir. Got it for about £140, which is 300 quid cheaper than the ohlins, my budget at the time determined my choice. And for the road it is a good compromise its way way better than the original, perhaps not as plush as the ohlins over bumpier roads but for now its a good start.
Set up your suspension properly, for your weight and your riding style, i also found it useful to understand a bit about sag, rebound, compression etc just make a note of your original settings.
(will attach my settings if i figure out how to attached a spread sheet)
Map 2 and open cans, can choice is a personal one, but the std akras, baffles out of course is for me just right, not attention seeking loud, but you will be heard coming.
These are the main bits i found make the bike ride much better, have done other bits and my recommendations...
Tail tidy "“ neat improves the rear end
Carbon factory belly pan "“ much prefer the looks with this on, covers up more of the nasty looking headers !!!
Brake and clutch levers, went for shorties as prefer the feel of these and two fingers on the brakes is more than enough. Bought some titax in black, not bad but still reckon the asv are better quality, can't comment on other makes
Heated grips, oxford sport versions, yes i ride year round and this really helps, clutch side doesn't heat up as much as the throttle side because the alloy handle bar sucks some of the heat away, but still an improvement, and yes at speed the top side of your hands will still get chilly. I wired them direct to the battery as couldn't be faffed with finding power to switch off and yes I have forgotten to turn them off three times now!!!
Ventura bike rack- its expensive but its easy to use, secure and holds alot.
Touring screen, wanted an ermax, but continual delayed delivery, after 3 months gave up and went for a puig, does well, but have small hair line cracks around the bolt holes, so mine was a bit pants, don't use it now.
Just need to replace the side stand "“ original is poo even worse when the bike is loaded
Need to fit the new rearsets went for the Aprilia Racing ones "“ hope to have a rear brake soon and the adjustability they offer
Tyres I have used
Original metzler okish, poo in the wet, glad to get them off really, a nail ended its life after 4.5k
Bridgestone BT016, nice grip in dry ok in the wet, crappy life managed 3.5k
Dunlop Sportsmart "“ brilliant tyre, excellent in the dry, great in the wet, life is about 6k but will go for the roadsmart next just for the winter months and would expect 8k mileage but will go back to the sportsmart in the summer and hopefully a track day or two.
Servicing
Had the first service done "“ time to increase the rev limit
6,250 mile service "“ at southern cross, excellent chaps
No issues
12,500 service "“ at southern cross again
Valve check done, no issues
Needed new sprockets and chain, well the chain was fecked so needed to change the sprockets as well, front renthal was hooked and rear alloy renthal was in good condition after 9+k use but went for steel f+r JT sprockets and a DID gold x ring heavy duty chain not bad for £99 the set (i fitted them)
Head bearings!! Gone At only 13k miles !!!! very surprised...
Swing arm shock dog bone bearing, the needle bearing one in the swing arm needed replacing as it was dry and starting to seize, apparently neglect sees the dog bone or suspension link plates crack and split, but it should have been lubbed at 2nd service !!
Overall I am thoroughly pleased with the bike, have yet to track it, have booked one or two next year along with some European riding.
So onto the next year of ownership.....
Thought i'd share my first year experience of owning a gen 2 T, may answer some questions any newbies have or persuade any potential first timer to take the plunge.
I ride all year round and it is my main transport, why did i buy a T? Started on an SV650 and learnt a lot on that, just got to a point after a few years, I wanted more. I love the drive of a v twin, find it far more useful on the road than an inline 4 so wanted a bigger v twin. First thoughts were logical a sv1000, which i rode and didn't quite like it as i wanted something newer and a bit more, well special. Dismissed the ducati SF (far too expensive), was really tempted with a speed triple but i saw an advert in bike magazine for discounted Tuono's. Did the usual research, and the rest is history. Chopped in the sv on a brand new 59 plate matte black tuono r with free akras, all for the price of a cheap 600 super sport, bargain....
Am now approaching the 14k mark after 14 months ownership, yes i ride 1k miles per month, more in the nicer weather when I tour and do ride outs.
Best bits
Power, torque
Handling
Comfort
Poise, stability at high speed (will do 160mph ish) although prolonged high speed you will take a beating
It can tour, with the right gear, and see above point
Rides well on all road types, A roads, b roads, single track, motorway..
It will commute with a little compromise has heavy std clutch (yes fluid goes black)
Bad bits
Rubbish on fuel, commuting gets 100-110miles to a tank (average 30-35mpg) "“ this for me is the biggest downer to owning the T, but that's because i cover so many miles, not too bad if you only do a few thousand a year.
Pegs are a tad cramped "“ just invested in some adjustable pegs, lower for daily riding, higher for those more "˜spirited' days.
Some bolts show a bit of rust and decals are fading but general build is good
That's about all the bad bits from my view point, but just because of what i use it for and to be honest at the end of the day its a 120hp sports bike with no faring and a straight bar, so there has to be a compromise and these bits i live with just because its so much fun to ride no matter what the ride..
Mods i'd seriously recommend to improve the bike..
15t front and 42 t rear sprocket. I ride on all roads and this is by far the best mod I have done. Its much better riding at slow speeds with better low rev pick up, it's still not perfect but the T is a meaty twin, live with it.. Mid range punch is awesome and open the throttle fully at 6k and everything goes blurry. Oh and do this in first and you will probably flip the bike, do it in 2nd and the front wheel will point to the sky in a split second, do it in third or fourth and the front will go seriously light, remember to pull weight forward a tad.
Bin that crappy rear shock ASAP (r model only). It really is a pile of ***** (2nd best mod) this you will only truly understand when you have changed it. Most opt for the ohlins, but depending on budget and riding style you can get something more slicker and more expensive or do as I did, try the rsv sachs shock from the rsv, the one with the piggy back reservoir. Got it for about £140, which is 300 quid cheaper than the ohlins, my budget at the time determined my choice. And for the road it is a good compromise its way way better than the original, perhaps not as plush as the ohlins over bumpier roads but for now its a good start.
Set up your suspension properly, for your weight and your riding style, i also found it useful to understand a bit about sag, rebound, compression etc just make a note of your original settings.
(will attach my settings if i figure out how to attached a spread sheet)
Map 2 and open cans, can choice is a personal one, but the std akras, baffles out of course is for me just right, not attention seeking loud, but you will be heard coming.
These are the main bits i found make the bike ride much better, have done other bits and my recommendations...
Tail tidy "“ neat improves the rear end
Carbon factory belly pan "“ much prefer the looks with this on, covers up more of the nasty looking headers !!!
Brake and clutch levers, went for shorties as prefer the feel of these and two fingers on the brakes is more than enough. Bought some titax in black, not bad but still reckon the asv are better quality, can't comment on other makes
Heated grips, oxford sport versions, yes i ride year round and this really helps, clutch side doesn't heat up as much as the throttle side because the alloy handle bar sucks some of the heat away, but still an improvement, and yes at speed the top side of your hands will still get chilly. I wired them direct to the battery as couldn't be faffed with finding power to switch off and yes I have forgotten to turn them off three times now!!!
Ventura bike rack- its expensive but its easy to use, secure and holds alot.
Touring screen, wanted an ermax, but continual delayed delivery, after 3 months gave up and went for a puig, does well, but have small hair line cracks around the bolt holes, so mine was a bit pants, don't use it now.
Just need to replace the side stand "“ original is poo even worse when the bike is loaded
Need to fit the new rearsets went for the Aprilia Racing ones "“ hope to have a rear brake soon and the adjustability they offer
Tyres I have used
Original metzler okish, poo in the wet, glad to get them off really, a nail ended its life after 4.5k
Bridgestone BT016, nice grip in dry ok in the wet, crappy life managed 3.5k
Dunlop Sportsmart "“ brilliant tyre, excellent in the dry, great in the wet, life is about 6k but will go for the roadsmart next just for the winter months and would expect 8k mileage but will go back to the sportsmart in the summer and hopefully a track day or two.
Servicing
Had the first service done "“ time to increase the rev limit
6,250 mile service "“ at southern cross, excellent chaps
No issues
12,500 service "“ at southern cross again
Valve check done, no issues
Needed new sprockets and chain, well the chain was fecked so needed to change the sprockets as well, front renthal was hooked and rear alloy renthal was in good condition after 9+k use but went for steel f+r JT sprockets and a DID gold x ring heavy duty chain not bad for £99 the set (i fitted them)
Head bearings!! Gone At only 13k miles !!!! very surprised...
Swing arm shock dog bone bearing, the needle bearing one in the swing arm needed replacing as it was dry and starting to seize, apparently neglect sees the dog bone or suspension link plates crack and split, but it should have been lubbed at 2nd service !!
Overall I am thoroughly pleased with the bike, have yet to track it, have booked one or two next year along with some European riding.
So onto the next year of ownership.....
