I'm back on the road :)

Woohoo - picked up my ZX14 yesterday.

After selling my VTR just over 2 years ago is is bloody good to be
riding again.

Just under 200kms on the odo as but can feel the potential in the beast.


Can also feel the rust that has made its way into my system with the 2
years off.

After being totally at home on the Blackbird and then the VTR its a bit
daunting to be feeling some lack of experince there. A little time and
patience and I should be back on top again.

 

Onya dude!

Keep us posted on how it goes/performs.


Percy

xr250 -> Across -> ZRX1100 -> ZX12R -> ZX12R (again)

 

Did you take it to the synagogue cut off the front-mudguard?

 

Can't remember the old nick I used to post under - have now trimmed the
nick (nothing else :| to avoid confusion)

 

not Rab from Carlton AV?

mh

 

Is going well - throttle control (knowing how far to twist the wrist) is
the thing I'm coming to grips with at the moment. That and actually
moving myself around on the bike (and "throwing" the bike around). Am
being more of a passenger at the moment than a rider/pilot. Had one
corner yesterday where I just kept pulling the speed off rather than
putting some weight into the corner and driveing on through - frustrated
me no end.

Went for a cruise last night with a mate who has just got his first road
bike (CBR1000R) and could easily pick the things he was doing wrong -
just couldn't not do things "right" myself. Confidence and patience will
fix that.

300kms so far.

Realised this arvo how far behind I am to how I used to be - theres a
spot on the road I used to travel where I'd be at one set of lights and
the lights ahead would change at the same time. I'd be able to get in
front of the traffic that was waiting at the second set of lights before
the road merged to 2 lanes. Was a simple squirt to get ahead of both
sets of traffic. This was probably at around 80km/h.

Took the same road this afternoon & ended up not getting past a mum in a
minivan at the second set - previously would have been well past her
without thinking about it.

I think its pretty good to keep finding reminders of how much further I
need to go before I'm close to as proficient as I was.

Bike is going brilliant so far - is very mild (maybe too mild - will
know better once me and the machine are both broken in) til about 4-5k
at which point it winds up to warp speed pretty quick.

Went for a cruise to Melbourne at close to peak hour today (to visit
some old friends/haunts). Bike was a breeze through the traffic - I
think it felt a little wider (mirrors) than the Blackbird, but that may
have been because the VTR was so much smaller. Definately ran hotter
than the other 2 bikes though. I don't think it was a problem - just
something I felt on the legs more than before.

Back tyre felt like it was moving around a bit through a couple of
roundabouts - really need to work out if it was because it was brand new
rubber, because I was dragging the brakes through or because I was
giving it a little too much gas, or just me getting used to the handling
- probably the later :/

Stretch is longer to the handlebars than the Blackbird (can't sit up
straight and reach the bars for a breather on long trips) - may actually
get a set of risers (never understood the point before, but can now).
This pretty much ties me into one seating and leg position which the
Blackbird didn't. Otherwise the ride comfort seems at least as good as
the Blackbird - just being able to change positions occasionally would
improve it for longer rides (an hour in the saddle and you want to move
around a bit more). Even the VTR was fine for this. Will know after a
longer ride if this will be a problem or not.

Got a set of Remus Slip on's which the shop was kind enough to remove
the baffles from before I picked the bike up. It seems pretty easy to
put them back in which is probably what I'd do if I was commuting
everyday. Will do some longer distance to see how they go on a longer
ride (noise wise). I think at 40-80km/h constantly they would get a bit
much. Hopefully averaging 100+ the noise wont be a factor. (they have a
very nice growl). Neighbours breathed a sigh of relief when I sold the
VTR with the Microns on - would suck to live nextdoor to me

The looks of the bike are definately growing on me - wasn't too
impressed when I first saw the model (6 months ago) but I think it was
because I was expecting something more extreme looking.

Finish on the bike so far as I can tell is faultless - will know more
after the first time I wash it. Silver wheels have already picked up a
bit of chain oil so the wash won't be too far off.

Absolutely no storage at all. Have panniers and tank bag on order though
so doesn't matter too much to me - could for others though. Somewhere
under the seat for emergency wets would have been good.

A few more days and some decent rides and I'll definately start feeling
as one with the bike and will know where I stand with it. Once I'm free
to rev it (after break in) I'll be able to get the throttle control back
and work out how mild it is down low (there is an extra set of
butterflies in the throttle body that don't open at all at lower revs -
their only purpose is to prevent too much power down low. At the moment
it feels as if they rob too much power. There is a simple mod to remove
them which sounds scary, but may actually make the bike smoother - no
sudden rush of power when the start to open, but also more power down
low).

Am ecstatic at the moment with the bike Only real issue I have is my
own stiffness and out of touch with riding. Once that starts coming back
then its no holds barred

Moral of the story so far: 2 years is far to long to be without a Bike -
Must never let it happen again.

 

Nah - I do my best to sponser Carlton UB though
Carlton FC is also in the cards.
Have seen the Carlton AV Van a fair few times as well.

Cheers

 

You just cut a bit off to make it look bigger!
--
Clem

"If I don't answer you, it's because I believe my point has been made in the
current post or others on the subject or that the points of argument
presented are illogical." ..... Toosmoky

 

Like "being a dickhead who's bought a totally inappropriate bike" you mean?

 

Pretty much spot on there. He knows it and is doing his best not to ride
(too) far beyond his abilities though. Practice, patience and open ears
on his part will be what makes or breaks him. He's an exceptional rider
off road and in cars - just has to keep realising that different rules
and theories apply with a road bike. He's never got to the stage with
off road or track driving where he thinks he has nothing more to learn
and is using that modesty with his approach to his new bike. Things like
taking a car line through a roundabout (instead of a straight line) and
lane position with respect to cars were the things he needs to get
experience with.

 

lol

if you trimmed your nick how would you know which part to throw away?
(I'm actually of scottish heritage - we wouldn't throw any away; just
add it to some offal feed it to the inlaws)

 

whats keeping you ?

so twist the wrist

twist the wrist

get the Power commander to solve the bottom end hole and make the most of
the remus's

rev it now , get those rings bedding in properly or suffer glazed bores and
oil use later

 

It's all sounding just like I was after a 12 month break. As for the
washy rear, I had a similar problem and found the shop hadn't inflated
the tyres to the proper pressure - way too low. Now sorted of course.

Also, my first look at the ZX14 put me off somewhat, though my size
seemed to suit as it does with my ZX12R. I just bought a 2000 model
ZX12R again that was rarely ridden, so very low kays up, and of course
in pristine condition. I am curious however, how it would stack up
against the ZX14 for general and sport riding, hence my interest.

keep up the good work!!

Percy

 

I love reading the works of that great Jewish poet from Ayrshire, Scotland,
Rabbi Burns... one for CrazyCam

While I'm here I'm after a UJM, mid size, upright position, suitable for a
short arse, two to three grand... just a commuter, none or minimal fairing,
no pretend racers. If you have a spare one in your shed in Melbourne it's my
surname @ rabbit. com.au
The 1980 xs650d needs a lot of love before it can get back on the road and
I'm now working at Southbank ABC, and I'm sick of trains.
Joe M.

 

Another XS650 maybe?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/KAWASAKI-MOT...QQihZ004QQcategoryZ102686QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
or
http://tinyurl.com/yvw2xe

 

Don't do it Joe; even the ultimate extension of the XS; the Suzook GR650
isn't gonna be "the biz" for you.
Look for a TDM, VX800 or NTV650 Revere (and don't be afraid of the chookies
like the XTZ, Transalp or [dammit; what's that albatross that Sharkey is
flogging?])
Plenty of cheap Jap cruisers too. Honda Shadow, Yam VX535 and Virago,
Suzuki Intruder and Kwakka Vulcans