Now officially a TOSSER
OK guys…I am now officially a Gee Essing Tosser after a nightmare train ride to Watford via LONDON on Saturday!
Bike Report:
Upon arrival (3 hours late) at the seller’s premises the bike was wheeled out for my inspection.
It was grubby and hadn’t been cleaned in some time…I cannot imagine myself ever trying to sell a bike without polishing it till I can see my balls through by my jeans in the reflection, however, the low price I paid reflects this! That said, the bike is in very good condition although it is obvious it has been greenlaned and dropped, which I had already been informed of…the only evidence of this is the deep scratching on the headlamp surround, and the dull but clean silver paint job to the plastics.
I was given the key and left to continue my inspection:
Bike started almost instantly on the first press of the button from cold, and sounded just a tiny little bit rattly…While the engine warmed I checked it over giving it my mini MOT test, which it almost passed with flying colours, the only fault I could find was a barely weeping LHS fork seal. I think this would still pass an MOT with an advisory, although it will require a new seal soon. It did pass an MOT in March, and I don’t think the bikes been used since.
With the engine warm and no more rattle, I checked the oil level, before going for a short spin around the small industrial area. I noticed a reasonable amount of poke, which brought a grin as the front began to leave the ground. Brakes seemed good, nice riding position and a very roomy seat! The only niggle I have is finding neutral, which can be a little tricky, does anyone else have this problem?
I returned to the workshop with a skid on the rear brake, and paid the very patient and helpful man his money.
So I hit the road, filled up a mile away, and headed for Coventry.
The bike rides straight and smooth, although the vibration of the knobblies on the tarmac can be felt slightly. Handling is very good, although with the knobblies on it, I found myself running wide once or twice at roundabouts, which once I was getting confident with the bike, I was gunning through fairly aggressively (poor thing!).
On the M1 up to Cov, the bike was very happy to cruise at 80 unladen, and I think 90 is probably cruisable too, although I don’t do that kind of thing anymore do I
at least not till I get to France! I don’t do top speed tests anymore either, and I did not see the needle approaching 110 before I ran out of space
Therefore I cannot be thinking that there is still a few more MPH’s available
Gears are well spaced, and apart from finding first, which seems to mainly happen with a hefty shove on the pedal and followed by a heavy klunk, and finding neutral which can sometimes be tricky, gear changing is silky smooth with or without clutch.
The superb twin spark Rotax provides Torque in spades, from around 2000rpm and up through the range, although when the limiter kicks in, it can be a bit more of a surprise than I’m used to on my sportsbikes, with the front end tending to dive. I only hit the limiter twice, and in my new guise as a ssslllloooowww tosser, this will not be happening often. What was most impressive was the engine braking, which allowed for minimal use of the brakes on the A41 when heading back home this evening.
Around half way home from Cov, the fuel warning light came on and stayed on after 167 miles. I have no idea how much is in reserve once the light comes on, so I stopped and filled up again almost immediately. I also have no idea where the reserve switch is, or even if the bike has one (comments would be appreciated)…I thought the range was a little lower than I had been expecting, however, to that point, the bike had been travelling on the motorway, and at fairly high speeds, and I had been being fairly heavy with the throttle, just to get used to the bike and find out how she performs. I imagine that on my commute, the range will increase quite significantly. (both my sports bikes will travel 150-165 miles before asking for reserve, although mad riding will reduce that significantly).
On the A41 from the M54 to Chester the performance is perfect, cruising a 70 where possible. There were many Sunday crawlers out, and the bike dealt with them very efficiently, with easy overtaking provided by the single pot although opening the gas one or two seconds earlier than my much much quicker sports bikes is required.
Guess what…I even managed to squeeze in a little off road action in the parking fields where we went to see the Warwickshire Farmers Fair before I headed home today. Got the rear spinning up nicely!
Controls are well positioned and comprehensive, and I love the factory installed heated grips, which I used, as I only used my leather summer gloves, for which there is no protection from the wind. Yet.
The small but quite tall screen provides plenty of protection to the head from the buffeting of the wind, although my shoulders started to get a little chilly…I guess I’ve been pampered by my CBR and VFR in that respect, closing the vents on my jacket would have helped! The only other unfaired bikes I’ve ridden in the last four years have been my dirtbikes, which run at much lower speeds, and wind is not really a problem for them.
The Verdict: This bike is great, and I have no explanation for Snoopy’s comments other than he got a lemon…I can’t wait to head for Morocco!
Whats next: When warm the idle is a little high, so I’ll be adjusting that soon. I did notice that my Arai Corsair is very noisy when up that high in the atmosphere…it’s getting on now and so I can see the purchase of a new lid on the horizon…any one got any suggestions for a Bluetooth lid? Will be giving it another lick of paint very soon, going back to blue and silver, but of my own design. I’ve already found a spare rear wheel on ebay…cost me £12 with worn knobbly, this and another front will be shod with road rubber for the winter commute. Anyone got any suggestions for road tires? Front sprocket is going to lose a tooth, and will sort a chain guide very soon. I shall be looking into hard panniers etc…although I think my throwovers will do me for a while. Need a new tank bag, as I don’t think I can use my magnetic one…unless I fit magnets or steel to the underside of the fake tank…anyone got any input on that? A pair of Brush guards, and probably renthal bars round up this list of wants. I'm sure there will be many more items in the future!
Flipfly...I guess this is a bit more than you were expecting...but you did ask
Don't go pampering the thing, they love to be revved hard, i think they enjoy it. 
too, untill cruisin on the Motorway, is best to sit there at around 65 or it's quite noisy! Don't get me goin on too much about it tho, or I'll start ranting about how Deisel costs more than V-Power!!!! I decided to get Defender the last time I went to 9 points 
and have rerranged the garage so I can get it in and can't get the fast ones out! Too many bikes (that's not possible)...At least one has to go, and it's gonna be the CBR...I've had me fun on it, and it's too easy to go too fast!
...is that a bad thing? 
oops!!!!!
barf)...will keep me off the beer Fri also - lol! I'll see if I can make it. Maybe I can hook up with you in Cheshire and we'll ride down together.
