Hi all. Got my bike from Peasy yesterday.
Rode it back from Peterborough to Plymouth - 290miles - so have formed a good impression of the bike.
Immediate thoughtsWas pleasantly surprised at how good an 11yr old bike can look. Obvious that the bike had been looked after. More to the point, it had all of the mods that I wanted (although, now looking for a few more!!) Yamaha build quality as good as my previous FJ1200 and my Thunderace had been.
RidingWow!! Felt like a moped after my big Ox of a ZZR1100!!
VERY similar riding position to a R1100GS I had. Very comfortable straightaway and a natural reach to all of the controls.
Right, clutch out - am I in gear? Yes I am. Bloody hell, first ride and can't engage clutch.
Oh ok- it's at the end of the lever span (like right at the end!!)Controls are very light, and we're off.I remember in the 90's, test riding one of the first generation Triumph Sprints - the ones with the spine frame.When I got back, I got on my 89' CBR600FL and felt like a giant.Well, this is similar after my ZZR11.Definitely a case of twist and go.After fueling up (and spilling petrol over Peasy - don't ask!!) I got onto the A1. My, isn't she fast, but the long throttle travel means it's easy to think you're at full throttle when you're not.After rearticulating my throttle hand, I gave it some beans.Indicated 140mph (allegedly) in seconds, with more to come.Throttle like an on/off switch, with no real engine braking.Mikes Full Monty Ivanising work has done it's job and there is no stuttering, hesitation or spluttering.Just pure clean drive from any revs, in any gear.Peasy fitted a different master cylinder and SBS sintered pads - EXCELLENT stopping power (1 or 2 fingers only)Back brake effective too. [size=78%]
[/size]Funny to let a car catch up at 90, then blast them away (childish I know [size=78%][/size]
)Comfort is fantastic, but three observations1 - Seat is very soft and my arse is numb quite quickly2 - Footrests seem quite high. I prefer to stretch my legs out to the pillion pegs and rest on them when cruising. This just makes the footrests seem even higher when I use them again though.[/size]
3 - LOTS of turbulence around the DB screen, so lots of noise. Also a lot of pressure on my neck and shoulders. This got much worse the nearer I got to Plymouth.
At the end, I was cold and aching. Oh for my heated grips. The temperature had dropped significantly and the spattered flies on my visor slowed me down in the dark. That's when 'twist and go' and a high riding position was particularly useful.
Summary
It took me 41/2 hrs to get home, including a pitstop for fuel, with 160 before the light came on. That was at an easy 95-100mph (allegedly)
The bike felt 'new'. The R6 shock and the front fork service have definitely benefited the bike (I'm 6' and 17st)
The engine is like a turbine in the way the power is available, with a kick above 8k. Obviously faster in black too
Seems to me that, if I can sort out a couple of gripes, she's perfect.
Mirrors were good, headlights excellent, especially on full beam and road presence good to.
Gripes (personal to me)
Seat v soft - suggestions?
Footpegs high - suggestions
Screen buffeting - shorter screen, taller screen?
Cold hands - fitting heated grips asap.
Neck and shoulder soreness - screen change?
Clutch bite - idiots guide for me to adjust the cable/freeplay etc (pleeeaase)