SpacemanSpiff
01-03-2009, 03:07 PM
Well, today I was able to sample a nice specimen from Yamaha. A 2003 R6 with a few goodies:
AGV shorty levers
M4 Slip-On
Power Commander
K&N Air Filter
HH pads on the front
+1 rear sprocket
22,000 miles on the clock, though this bike was -1/+2 for a while without a speedohealer, so it is likely actual mileage is less.
Engine:
This engine surprised me, I expected a pull similar to the 08 CBR but it revved nice and quick and smooth, and pulled pretty hard up to the top. It wasn't nearly the kick in the nuts of my Triumph, but I'd say it was more than enough to keep me happy.
Handling:
Apparently Yamaha supplies you with a seat that links your brain to the motorcycle. This thing responded so predictably it took me by surprise. Nothing too remarkable about the suspension other than it did it's job just fine. It did dive a bit on me, but preload was set for someone much lighter. I'd probably need springs for this thing anyway.
Brakes:
This bike is on its original front rotors with HH pads, and a replacement master cylinder. Maybe it was the reduced leverage of a shorty lever, but the front binders on this bike didn't work anywhere close to the ones on my Triumph. They were acceptable, but barely. I think it needs steel brake lines and probably another set of rotors and pads.
Overall/Conclusion:
This bike is comfortable, it fits me well, it does its job well. I liked it for the first 5 minutes, I liked it 30 minutes later, and I really liked it 90 minutes after that when I returned it to the owner.
And... the big news.... I'm most likely buying this bike for about 3K in a few weeks.
AGV shorty levers
M4 Slip-On
Power Commander
K&N Air Filter
HH pads on the front
+1 rear sprocket
22,000 miles on the clock, though this bike was -1/+2 for a while without a speedohealer, so it is likely actual mileage is less.
Engine:
This engine surprised me, I expected a pull similar to the 08 CBR but it revved nice and quick and smooth, and pulled pretty hard up to the top. It wasn't nearly the kick in the nuts of my Triumph, but I'd say it was more than enough to keep me happy.
Handling:
Apparently Yamaha supplies you with a seat that links your brain to the motorcycle. This thing responded so predictably it took me by surprise. Nothing too remarkable about the suspension other than it did it's job just fine. It did dive a bit on me, but preload was set for someone much lighter. I'd probably need springs for this thing anyway.
Brakes:
This bike is on its original front rotors with HH pads, and a replacement master cylinder. Maybe it was the reduced leverage of a shorty lever, but the front binders on this bike didn't work anywhere close to the ones on my Triumph. They were acceptable, but barely. I think it needs steel brake lines and probably another set of rotors and pads.
Overall/Conclusion:
This bike is comfortable, it fits me well, it does its job well. I liked it for the first 5 minutes, I liked it 30 minutes later, and I really liked it 90 minutes after that when I returned it to the owner.
And... the big news.... I'm most likely buying this bike for about 3K in a few weeks.