NEw... well... old... but new...

Spent about 130 miles on the bike today and it's still taking a little getting used to.... Overtaking at 80mph for one thing ! That obviously never happened much on the 660, but happens more on this now.

Front tyre pressure was low, only 22psi, so that's up around 34psi now, which deffo helps the handling.

I've noticed that like the 660x, it's one of them bikes you sit on, rather than moving about and hanging off it, just sit there and throw it in, it handles sweetly.

apart from the fact it's a bit crap between 5th and 6th, possibly due to my trainers as I never missed any gears last night, added to the fact it's rubbish between 2000,4000rpm, it's a brilliant bike.

I'm starting to get a bit more used to it now and finding myself enjoying it.

The Blade sidestand is likely to be something I fit, although I doubt there will be a set of exhausts going on it, they sound fine to me and I'm out early for work etc, so will remain as they are for now..

Had the almost obligatory misting in the clocks earlier, it made me laugh and think how someone like Yamaha wouldn't accept that, but on a Tuono/Italian bike, it's accepted as just how things are and how things actually should be

Tomorrow it will get a clean, although I don't have the right paddock stand here, so will only be a small clean.

bit of a clean

Just stuck another hour and a bit on the bike.

It's rapidly growing on me that's for sure. I have to say I like it more than Superdukes. Amazing as that sounds, it's true.

OK, so it's not without 'issues' but most of them are Italian character rather than issues. But 1 major issue is the handling over 'lines' in the road, you know re-tarmacked surfacing, when it crosses them it's back end is all over the sodding place. But I'm thinking the squared off rear tyre is more of a factor in this than anything, so that will be swapped out in a few days when I get back from trackday.

The power and handling is bloody excellent, goes like a train !

Around town, well, it's a bit ***** in all honesty... Hmmm... more than a bit but I do 1% of my miles around towns, so I have to accept it as the characteristics of a big twin.

I'm most happy today..

that back tyre will be the offender in the handling stakes mate and as for the town work what gearing is it running ? if its running normal 16/40 try 15/42 that should make life in town a bit more bearable

gearing unknown mate, I've not actually checked.

So yesterday the Tuono got a new rear, a Continental contimotion. Used them before and worked well, cheap too, so went for it again.

Into work today, the bike feels LOTS better on all surfaces now, tips in better, holds lines better. Vastly improved. Was a bit foggy early doors but despite being unable to see it handled it well.

Almmost looped it in the car park at work "wonder if it wheelies as easily as the Superdukes?" Oooops... yeah it does actually LOL...

Is this now the 'best bike ever?' Hmmmm. To be honest, no... but the GSXR750K7 trackbike I have is without doubt taking that crown.... The Tuono though... ain't far behind in the list, that's for sure.

weeksy said:

Collected!

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I know its an old thread but that Gen 2 looks proper nice!!

old thread ? I only bought it about 10 days ago LOL

weeksy said:

old thread ? I only bought it about 10 days ago LOL

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Ha ha, i saw it was July but didint realise it was end of July.

I think mine is better than my old blade especially round the track but that just may be me more than the bike, i just felt it hustles out of corners quicker and was quicker turning in etc, do you think given more time in the saddle you will prefer it over the gixxer?

TuonoLee said:

do you think given more time in the saddle you will prefer it over the gixxer?

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Tricky one mate as I wouldn't like the Gixer on the roads, too easy and too fast... Wheras because of the wind, the Tuono lets you know when it's 100mph... so kinda keeps me in check.

I may do a day this year on track on the Tuono... See then...

weeksy said:

Tricky one mate as I wouldn't like the Gixer on the roads, too easy and too fast... Wheras because of the wind, the Tuono lets you know when it's 100mph... so kinda keeps me in check.

I may do a day this year on track on the Tuono... See then...

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Thats true, its too easy to clock big speeds on a sportie but the T does keep you legal in that respect.

I took mine round Snetterton, it seemed to really enjoy the infill twitier section and the hairpins, i lost abit on the straights but was striaght up their ***** again in the corners.

Maybe you could do a trackday Tuono write up.......

Spent another hour on the bike today, in nice sun this time instead of the chilly fog this morning.

The more I ride it, the more lessons I'm learning from the bike. In the past 9 months or so I've been riding the 660X I've been complaining about the jelly feeling, the squatting, the tipping into corners and it being unstable. However, that in my mind has been compensated for by the handling on the rough stuff. What I've found now is that the rough stuff isn't so bad on something else, and the faster nicer stuff is just blindingly better. Going into roundabouts I'm finding myself going round 4 times just to scrub the new rear a little further, or going into corners I'd often find myself comfort braking to settle the bike, then having it bucking and weaving mid corner as I try and get on the gas. The Tuono just powers into corners and then holds the line to perfection.

I'm trying to visualise in my mind how the Superduke handled, but for the life of me, I'm convinced this out-handles even the Superduke. It's just a blindingly good machine.

The more I ride it, the better it gets

Just spent another hour on the bike. People sometimes ask me how cleaning a bike can take SO long, and the answer is, if you want to do it properly that's just how long it takes. I'm about 6 hours of cleaning time in at the moment and I rekon I've got another 10+ to complete the job.

Today was taking off the bellypan and sprocket cover, along with giving the front wheel a quick clean. The sprocket cover hid just a ridiculous amount of chain lube, took me forever ! 4 cleaning cloths, 5 sheets of kitchen roll, but it's now not too bad. All the other parts around there and the engine are all cleaned. Chain is degreased and re-lubed. Sprocket cover cleaned, bolts cleaned, bellypan cleaned/polished inside and outside

Getting there now... Apologies for the last pic, the light must have hit it badly from the sun.

Its amazing how much crud builds up behind that sprocket cover mate, that's why I always cleaned mine once a month
pleased I don't have that problem any more

So do I fella... I think the last blokes forgot about that part though sadly. It doesn't just affect the gearing stuff though it's all over the clutch slave, all over the sidestand and sidestand switch etc, it's just asking for problems IMO.

they are a great bike, I don't think anyone could compare a GSXR and a Tuono two completley different bikes.
The Tuono is a great road bike and can hold it's own on a track, the GSXR is a race bike with number plates.
If I want to transport myself to the horizon in the blink of an eye I go out on The GSXR 1000, if i want to go and have a giggle and show up a few sportbikes I go on the Tuono.
tried a few bikes since I had the T and nothing I've tried has the "do it all" abilities of the Tuono.

Got back from trip away and was happy to find that

1. the Tuono was still there
2. It started first press of the button
3. I still enjoy it

Had a blast to run some errands then got back and fitted some new clutch and brake levers, long length, not shorty ones. Really wasn't getting on with the shorties, so got some standard black ones

What brand chain degreaser do you use

De-greaser, just good old GT-85 mate.

Had a spare 20 mins and it's finally time to get a chance to swap out the headlight cowl decals. The old ones had lifted in a few curves and were looking... well... not quite perfect.

TBH when I removed them I thought, "Hmmmm... I quite like that".... But I'm a traditionalist so wanted it 'right'

Last pic of course is the hugger.

Wow...it's mint mate!

Top job!