I thought I'd give you my interim impressions after a few weeks of ownership.
I've had a few rides out and used some of the my tried and tested routes. In spite of the issues and to be honest there have been a couple, more frustrating than devastating I must admit.
I'll start with the downs (always finish on a positive).
This bike drinks fuel like a faster than a tornado jet on after burner. It's not helped by the golf ball size fuel tank (which I now know is mostly air filter). Oh and the fact that there must be a special type of telepathic link to my brain that activates hooligan mode evert time I start it up. (I know that's a positive).
The fault log has returned on one occasion. Code 11 cam sensor. Thanks to the forum I'm not worried about that as it does not effect running (at this stage) if it packs in, then I'll change it.
The fuel tank leaked like the Titanic if you filled it over 3/4. A nice little "O" ring between the filler cap seal sorted that. I figured that one out myself.
I got the back brake sorted with intensive bleeding and flushing all the fluid, replaced with Motul high temp race fluid. It works ok now, but it's not a primary device and the engine braking makes up for it.
The seat,Mmmmm. Ok, I expected a numb ***, but there's no grip to it either and some off my impromptu stoppies have crushed my 2 gentleman quite badly, I'm a good bit narrower in the hips these days and I'm sliding forwards and backwards in the seat like a made weaving shuttle. A trip to see Tony Archer for contouring and a recover of the seat is on the cards
I need to dial down the rear shocker. Yes I'm a short arse, but the collars are wound down the spring 6cm. Looks like a striking scorpion. Plus this makes the ride hard as hell and handling a little skittish on roads less smooth than a snooker table. It still sticks and grips and I did put a mark on one of my sliders (first time in a very, very long time, result).
Right...... Positives.
Power. It lofts a fatty on the throttle in the first 2 and maybe 3 gears, but I'm not brave enough for third. (Yet). This effect was both unnerving and surprising in equal measure as my other bike weighs more than a planet and liberal applications of power and a clutch break dance is the only thing that initiates lofting the front wheel.
The front brake is as stated a retro rocket and although at first I could not get on with the shorty levers I now understand why they've been fitted, grabbing a handful of lever on this bike has the similar effect to running into a brick wall, once again unexpected levels of speed arrest and after peeling my eyeball off the visor, I did have to smile.
The noise this bike makes should be put on a CD I'd play it in my car. I know the pipes I have are mid market and not akra's and I initially thought I'd swap them out, but the soundtrack to every ride is just fantastic. I just can't get enough of it.
Handling. In spite of the hard set up at the moment you can flick this thing from side to side so quickly it's amazing. Even if you've gone in a bit too hot, you can gather it up and point it and it just sticks. It's got loads of grip. The brakes could stop the Death Star, so no worries.
I think I've covered most of the things for my first 2 weeks. I've had a lot of the quirks that come with this bike. ECU, Back brake, fuel leak. None of its fazed me and the plans I've got now to trick it out to my liking have given me loads of pleasure. It's scared the adrenaline out of me (Yes it's brown) a couple of times. Stopping so fast and taking off like a stabbed rat and rearing it's head, but this was my own fault.
The last thing is... I wonder how to remove this massive grin from my face, every time I get back from a ride.....:thumbup
I've had a few rides out and used some of the my tried and tested routes. In spite of the issues and to be honest there have been a couple, more frustrating than devastating I must admit.
I'll start with the downs (always finish on a positive).
This bike drinks fuel like a faster than a tornado jet on after burner. It's not helped by the golf ball size fuel tank (which I now know is mostly air filter). Oh and the fact that there must be a special type of telepathic link to my brain that activates hooligan mode evert time I start it up. (I know that's a positive).
The fault log has returned on one occasion. Code 11 cam sensor. Thanks to the forum I'm not worried about that as it does not effect running (at this stage) if it packs in, then I'll change it.
The fuel tank leaked like the Titanic if you filled it over 3/4. A nice little "O" ring between the filler cap seal sorted that. I figured that one out myself.
I got the back brake sorted with intensive bleeding and flushing all the fluid, replaced with Motul high temp race fluid. It works ok now, but it's not a primary device and the engine braking makes up for it.
The seat,Mmmmm. Ok, I expected a numb ***, but there's no grip to it either and some off my impromptu stoppies have crushed my 2 gentleman quite badly, I'm a good bit narrower in the hips these days and I'm sliding forwards and backwards in the seat like a made weaving shuttle. A trip to see Tony Archer for contouring and a recover of the seat is on the cards
I need to dial down the rear shocker. Yes I'm a short arse, but the collars are wound down the spring 6cm. Looks like a striking scorpion. Plus this makes the ride hard as hell and handling a little skittish on roads less smooth than a snooker table. It still sticks and grips and I did put a mark on one of my sliders (first time in a very, very long time, result).
Right...... Positives.
Power. It lofts a fatty on the throttle in the first 2 and maybe 3 gears, but I'm not brave enough for third. (Yet). This effect was both unnerving and surprising in equal measure as my other bike weighs more than a planet and liberal applications of power and a clutch break dance is the only thing that initiates lofting the front wheel.
The front brake is as stated a retro rocket and although at first I could not get on with the shorty levers I now understand why they've been fitted, grabbing a handful of lever on this bike has the similar effect to running into a brick wall, once again unexpected levels of speed arrest and after peeling my eyeball off the visor, I did have to smile.
The noise this bike makes should be put on a CD I'd play it in my car. I know the pipes I have are mid market and not akra's and I initially thought I'd swap them out, but the soundtrack to every ride is just fantastic. I just can't get enough of it.
Handling. In spite of the hard set up at the moment you can flick this thing from side to side so quickly it's amazing. Even if you've gone in a bit too hot, you can gather it up and point it and it just sticks. It's got loads of grip. The brakes could stop the Death Star, so no worries.
I think I've covered most of the things for my first 2 weeks. I've had a lot of the quirks that come with this bike. ECU, Back brake, fuel leak. None of its fazed me and the plans I've got now to trick it out to my liking have given me loads of pleasure. It's scared the adrenaline out of me (Yes it's brown) a couple of times. Stopping so fast and taking off like a stabbed rat and rearing it's head, but this was my own fault.
The last thing is... I wonder how to remove this massive grin from my face, every time I get back from a ride.....:thumbup
Last edited:
), ever since I got the thing....
