I realize that doing mods to our bikes is necessary to make our bikes better. But a lot of these mods could be addressed by the bike manufacturers. Most of the mods in all bike forums are the same for every bike and brand. Here are a few mods on my wish list.
1. Put angled valve stems on all bikes. Straight valve stems were fine over 100 years ago but with large brake rotors its a PIA now days. Some of the newer bikes have these--some don't.
2. Design a seat that better fits our butts. After market seats are one of the most popular mods in all bike forums.
3. Make all controls and contact points at least slightly adjustable. Car manufacturers realized we are not all the same size. Some of the newer bikes have adjustable clutch and brake levers but not many. FINALLY seeing adjustable seat heights on more and more bikes.
4. How about installing a real horn. Something sufficiently loud to alert the cagers to our presence. Most OEM horns are wimpy things put on just to make the bike legal. Louder horn mod is popular on all bike forums.
5. What the hell happened with passenger pegs? They are now so high the girl looks like she is getting ready for child delivery not a bike ride.
6. Design mirrors that let me see what's behind me. I already know where my shoulders and elbows are. Mirror extensions are another popular mod on all forums.
7. Put cruise control on all bikes classified as touring or sport/touring. Not that hard on newer bikes with throttle by wire. Took Yamaha years to put it on the FJR. Now the FJ09 is their new sport/tourer with no cruise but the Super Tenere has it and its a dual sport bike.
These are all popular mods that could be addressed better by the manufacturers.
Dave
Interesting about the angled valve stems, I was reading about the uber fast ZX14 rocket where Kawasaki offset the rib on the rim so the wheel weight could be placed dead center in the middle of the rim and the tire stems are short straight little guys.
It seems that, at the speed those rockets are capable of, Kawasaki was concerned about the offset centrifugal force on the rims and tire stem.
Therefore, no angled stems on that bike.
But for "normal' bikes, I agree with Dave on the angled stems being oem.
I can't count the times the sharp edges of my 320mm Galfer Wave rotors cut me, while filling up my front tire with straight stems.
Angled stems are great. :good2:
I'd put in a vote for self cancelling turn signals, with the option of turning off that feature, if desired.
If you forget that a turn signal is on, you can make a cage driver think it is okay to pull out,
because he thinks that you are turning. This mistake can be as serious as it gets.
Hard mounts and wiring for better lighting options would be good, also.
Cheers,
Red
Valve stems were mentioned.....
This one (11,3mm) will fit?
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Tubeless-Tire-Valve-Stems-11-3mm-For-Yamaha-FZ1-FZ6-FZ8-R1-R6-R6S-TDM-XJR-FJR-/221899759083?var=&hash=item33aa419deb:m:mnYeig1s79mZ2yWA6ap8e1A (http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Tubeless-Tire-Valve-Stems-11-3mm-For-Yamaha-FZ1-FZ6-FZ8-R1-R6-R6S-TDM-XJR-FJR-/221899759083?var=&hash=item33aa419deb:m:mnYeig1s79mZ2yWA6ap8e1A)
Not sure, ask Randy, others will chime in.
Before RPM carried the angled stems in the correct size, I bought a set off FleaBay and they were too small for the holes in my rims.
:dash2:
I had the angled stems put on with new tyres. much better. Make sure they are put on facing the right way (right side of bike) so you are not trying to navigate around the chain.
Mark
I got a set of stems (very low profile) from Randy and faced them away from the side stand. That way I am checking/filling air with the bike leaned away from me.
Sure takes the pain out of adding some air.
(http://i814.photobucket.com/albums/zz63/kennymick65/IMG_9760_zpsdmiuzpox.jpg) (http://s814.photobucket.com/user/kennymick65/media/IMG_9760_zpsdmiuzpox.jpg.html)
I have my old set of angle valves (higher profile) for anyone that wants them for the cost of shipping.
I just carry an angled valve attachment. No probs re balancing cause it goes back in me pocket. They cost ten bucks, fit over the existing valve & attach to the garage tyre hose. takes a couple of seconds and works for any bike. (I can take a pic if need be.) :good:
Quote from: TexasDave on April 13, 2016, 09:44:51 AM
I realize that doing mods to our bikes is necessary to make our bikes better. But a lot of these mods could be addressed by the bike manufacturers. Most of the mods in all bike forums are the same for every bike and brand. Here are a few mods on my wish list..........
Dave
Excellent observations Dave.
My favourite is manufacturers persisting with prone riding positions. I believe this is simply a hangover from the old days and it hasn't occurred to anyone that it's no longer practical for 99% of the use most riders give their bikes (maybe the only thing Harley got right)
There are many sports/touring bikes and all the adventure/dual purpose bikes that have adopted the more upright riding position and more relaxed leg angles in recent times but many still needlessly have the rider hunched over and bunched up.
Knees tucked up, narrow handlebars at hip height and no wind protection, why?
And this leads me into my next point, giving us something we
don't need - excessive power. I like power and speed as much as the next bloke and age has not diminished this one iota, I often wish the FJ had more grunt at the end of a days riding by which time I'm ringing the neck out of it constantly and looking for more. Fortunately, everything resets the following morning.
OK, you have a bike that does 160kph (100mph) in first gear and accelerates at warp speed from 200 to 300. So, you make your youtube clip, then what do you do. Those sort of speeds in most countries these days have serious consequences.
In Australia for example, any speed in excess of 30kph over a posted limit will get your bike impounded and a minimum 6 mth loss of licence and about $1500 in fines and tow truck/impounding fees.
Go fast enough in the wrong spot and you could even end up in jail, it's happened.
I realise not everywhere is that harsh but I still think your going to be in a lot of trouble doing 300kph.
Give me a hot (or even a standard) MX5 (Miata) over a Ferrari on a mountain road any day, a 600 sports bike where you get to use most of the gears, all of the tacho and full throttle is way more fun than an R1 in the twisties.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I reckon this blokes having more fun in his Fiat 500 than the guys in the works rally cars.
The smile at the end says it all.
https://youtu.be/YdBuwzRAEAw
Dave, I agree with all the points you make and could add some, but the fact is, motorbikes are toys and generally don't do many miles. You rarely see an FJ advertised with more than 100,000 mls on it, even the early ones. Try finding a car of similar vintage with so "few" miles on it.
As you say, manufacturers are finally catching on with adjustable seat and peg height, engine modes, on the fly suspension adjustment, cruise control as standard, panniers and a handful even offer colour choice.
The importance of such adjustability and options depends how and how much you ride. A quick fang up and down the mountains for an hour or two, it's probably not that important, riding all day and multi day trips as I like to do, it probably matters more.
I just got back last week from another trip and had the chance to ride a current model Ducati Monster 1200s, a one week old BMW R1200RT (my dream bike) and a Triumph Tiger. The Ducati is about as much fun as you can have going up (and down) a mountain but after 2700km and some very fast sustained speed sections, I would think he would be glad to finally park it back in the garage.
All good points Dave, you have put the manufacturers on notice. I don't suspect though they are worried or madly re designing next years models based on your post. :biggrin:
It just needs one of them to take the lead, look what happened when BMW came up with the GS and the public liked it, every one else made one.
A standard feature I would like to see (BMW RT has it) is an intergrated spot for a GPS in the instrument cluster. The BM has provision to snap a Garmin 660 into the instrument face which then connects it to all the bike data. It also has a multi function screen and idrive type scroll wheel similar to what has become standard in cars.
It also has keyless ignition. Walk away from the bike and the panniers, top box, ignition and alarm all lock automatically, proper cruise control, ipod connectivity, heated height adjustable seats and grips........ and you can throw it around it the twisties with far greater ease than the FJ.
Yep, I'm gonna get me one of them thar fancy bikes.
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on April 14, 2016, 09:18:36 AMOK, you have a bike that does 160kph (100mph) in first gear and accelerates at warp speed from 200 to 300. So, you make your youtube clip, then what do you do.
Noel
Noel
Well, if you would settle for 200+ mph (really), it only
has one gear, no clutch or transmission, and owns
the Bonneville Land Speed Record for production bikes. It also won Pikes Peak, against
all other bikes.
They call it the Lightning LS-218.
http://lightningmotorcycle.com/ (http://lightningmotorcycle.com/)
:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Cheers,
Red
Quote from: red on April 14, 2016, 10:09:58 AM
Quote from: ribbert on April 14, 2016, 09:18:36 AMOK, you have a bike that does 160kph (100mph) in first gear and accelerates at warp speed from 200 to 300. So, you make your youtube clip, then what do you do.
Noel
Noel
Well, if you would settle for 200+ mph (really), it only has one gear, no clutch or transmission, and owns
the Bonneville Land Speed Record for production bikes. It also won Pikes Peak, against all other bikes.
They call it the Lightning LS-218.
http://lightningmotorcycle.com/ (http://lightningmotorcycle.com/)
:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Cheers,
Red
I sat on this thing at the weekend, about as near as you'd get to a test ride without plonking down the full price.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1454/26401348836_f824431255_c.jpg)
334 hp/214nm's of torque - NO fairing.
I don't believe it has heated seats or a stereo but it probably should come with a body harness and tether.
(http://motorbikewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/v8-3.jpg)
(http://motorbikewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/v8-2.jpg)
This is how we build bikes in Oz!
I would make an exception in this case but have a small problem with the $180,000 price tag.
Noel
I love that Rally clip Noel, I`d say it`s the most enjoyable I`ve seen!
Good point re capacity. When I ask my mates to ponder the most real fun that produced ear ta ear grins while riding a motorcycle, all stories relate to smaller machines.
Don`t think I`ll ever be up to the Cravat & designer apparel of tha Europeans, nor tha wannabe`s like yourself, but I have got a standard cup holder along with a stabilised platform to hold the Macca`s double cupholders!.....but ta really be in front of the Yank bikes I`m in the process of manufacturing a holder for my latest pump action 22. The pistols my grandson destroyed were great for one hand operation, but the pump action requires a pivotal base for clutch hand firing. (Luckily there`s no concealment regulations where I live and ta be fair to my victims, it gives them a chance to run!)
Really good points there Dave. :drinks:
Quote from: ribbert on April 14, 2016, 09:18:36 AM
[.....]
I don't know about the rest of you, but I reckon this blokes having more fun in his Fiat 500 than the guys in the works rally cars.
The smile at the end says it all.
https://youtu.be/YdBuwzRAEAw
This "race car" is not fiat 500.
On that clip You can see Fiat 126p with 650ccm engine and 25-30 horsepower. Really skillful mechanic could squeeze out from this engine 75-90 HP.
And top speed was totally depend on wind strength and direction.... :biggrin:
Quote from: ribbert on April 14, 2016, 10:47:05 AM
Quote from: red on April 14, 2016, 10:09:58 AM
Quote from: ribbert on April 14, 2016, 09:18:36 AMOK, you have a bike that does 160kph (100mph) in first gear and accelerates at warp speed from 200 to 300. So, you make your youtube clip, then what do you do.
Noel
Noel
Well, if you would settle for 200+ mph (really), it only has one gear, no clutch or transmission, and owns
the Bonneville Land Speed Record for production bikes. It also won Pikes Peak, against all other bikes.
They call it the Lightning LS-218.
http://lightningmotorcycle.com/ (http://lightningmotorcycle.com/)
:yahoo: :yahoo: :yahoo:
Cheers,
Red
I sat on this thing at the weekend, about as near as you'd get to a test ride without plonking down the full price.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1454/26401348836_f824431255_c.jpg)
334 hp/214nm's of torque - NO fairing.
I don't believe it has heated seats or a stereo but it probably should come with a body harness and tether.
(http://motorbikewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/v8-3.jpg)
(http://motorbikewriter.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/v8-2.jpg)
This is how we build bikes in Oz!
I would make an exception in this case but have a small problem with the $180,000 price tag.
Noel
A good friend of mine has a Drysdale (which that engine/frame design looks like). I ported the FZR heads for it. I call it the worlds most expensive kit bike. :lol:
Quote from: JMR on April 15, 2016, 06:09:28 AM
A good friend of mine has a Drysdale (which that engine/frame design looks like). I ported the FZR heads for it. I call it the worlds most expensive kit bike. :lol:
You're spot on, this bike has it roots in the Drysdale, the company was taken over several years ago by a new player who beefed it up (doubled the capacity for starters) into this incarnation. He apparently has a 400hp model on the drawing board (might be safer to leave it there!)
It is, I believe, two R1's made into a V8. Such an obvious and simple thing to do I'm surprised no one thought of it before.
Noel
Quote from: MOTOMYSZOR on April 15, 2016, 03:34:19 AM
Quote from: ribbert on April 14, 2016, 09:18:36 AM
[.....]
I don't know about the rest of you, but I reckon this blokes having more fun in his Fiat 500 than the guys in the works rally cars.
This "race car" is not fiat 500.
On that clip You can see Fiat 126p with 650ccm engine and 25-30 horsepower. Really skillful mechanic could squeeze out from this engine 75-90 HP.
And top speed was totally depend on wind strength and direction.... :biggrin:
OK, I knew that, but other than you and me, who else did. I suspect pretty much no one outside of Europe knows what a 126p is but everyone knows what a Fiat 500 is and I wanted folks to watch the video.
Good catch on the correct model ID. The extra 10-15hp was a dead give away anyway! :lol:
Fiat 500's and it's variants were popular during my years on the bench, what a hoot to drive. I would love one in the garage now.
Noel
And to think your great grandaddy would have been shaking his fist at this yelling "Damn those two wheeled monstrisities! Be gone with ye!" :ireful:
A modern bike for comfort and convenience I can understand. Keyless everything - no thanks. I try to subscribe to function over form, something which BMW has abandoned in regards to bikes. Why must they be made as (or more) complicated as cars? The inflexibility of design to appeal to the law of averages hasn't seemed to sink in yet (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=15027.msg151840#msg151840 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=15027.msg151840#msg151840)).
I think the only one that comes close is actually HD who provide a wide range of options for some models to customize to your taste/needs straight from the factory. Bombardier has now 5-way adustable bars and foot rests for the Spyders.
Hitting the price point for marketing purposes is the main factor in most of this. Shaving literally pennies off the cost can result in a bike with a fantastick engine with a mediocre suspension. Yes you could spend the extra cash for something in the +$20K range that would solve this, but that market is drying up. The surge in mid range performance and priced bikes shows that. If they could only offer more options with the new bikes - like upgraded suspensions - over unuseable horsepower - and ease up on the overly complex electronics... Oh wait... they are trying to do that now especially Honda and Yamaha, ... never mind.... :scratch_one-s_head:
Quote from: ribbert on April 15, 2016, 07:14:09 AM
Quote from: JMR on April 15, 2016, 06:09:28 AM
A good friend of mine has a Drysdale (which that engine/frame design looks like). I ported the FZR heads for it. I call it the worlds most expensive kit bike. :lol:
You're spot on, this bike has it roots in the Drysdale, the company was taken over several years ago by a new player who beefed it up (doubled the capacity for starters) into this incarnation. He apparently has a 400hp model on the drawing board (might be safer to leave it there!)
It is, I believe, two R1's made into a V8. Such an obvious and simple thing to do I'm surprised no one thought of it before.
Noel
2 R1 engines is certainly ambitious. :biggrin: The original Drysdale utilized FXR-600 top end components.
Here's another Drysdale invention that was on display at the Haigslea motorcycle museum, two wheel drive, two wheel steering.
(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a586/the4ts/DSC_0223_zpss8oppcso.jpg)
Here's a write up about it if interested
http://www.gizmag.com/drysdale-dryvtech-2x2x2/35103/ (http://www.gizmag.com/drysdale-dryvtech-2x2x2/35103/)
Quote from: Bones on April 16, 2016, 12:08:41 AM
Here's another Drysdale invention that was on display at the Haigslea motorcycle museum, two wheel drive, two wheel steering.
(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a586/the4ts/DSC_0223_zpss8oppcso.jpg)
Here's a write up about it if interested
http://www.gizmag.com/drysdale-dryvtech-2x2x2/35103/ (http://www.gizmag.com/drysdale-dryvtech-2x2x2/35103/)
Ian has too much time on his hands. :biggrin:
On my S1000XR, BMW has plumbed the valve stem into one of the solid spokes. This spoke is drilled into the air chamber of the rim/tire. The resulting valve stem (which is actually a metal fitting screwed into the spoke which contains a Schrader valve) sticks out perpendicular to the plane of the tire (just like a 90 degree stem).
Oh yeah, the BMW also has a sane riding position, cruise control, comfortable (but not adjustable, they offer seats with height options) seat, has adjustable brake (but not clutch) lever, my daughters love the passenger accommodations, and the mirrors are totally useable. Not sure about the horn as I haven't had to use it yet.
I think I may have found the 99% perfect bike as it also has electronic suspension, 4 ride modes, 3-D traction control and ABS, and it even has heated grips.
Oh, and it goes like greased stink!
Quote from: FJ_Hooligan on April 19, 2016, 10:57:24 PM
On my S1000XR, BMW has plumbed the valve stem into one of the solid spokes. This spoke is drilled into the air chamber of the rim/tire. The resulting valve stem (which is actually a metal fitting screwed into the spoke which contains a Schrader valve) sticks out perpendicular to the plane of the tire (just like a 90 degree stem).
Oh yeah, the BMW also has a sane riding position, cruise control, comfortable (but not adjustable, they offer seats with height options) seat, has adjustable brake (but not clutch) lever, my daughters love the passenger accommodations, and the mirrors are totally useable. Not sure about the horn as I haven't had to use it yet.
I think I may have found the 99% perfect bike as it also has electronic suspension, 4 ride modes, 3-D traction control and ABS, and it even has heated grips.
Oh, and it goes like greased stink!
Just wait up at the stop sign, that's all I'm asking for...... :flag_of_truce: :rofl2:
No worries Joe, it's the FJ's turn to make the Arkansas trip.
Quote from: FJ_Hooligan on April 19, 2016, 10:57:24 PM
On my S1000XR, BMW has plumbed the valve stem into one of the solid spokes. This spoke is drilled into the air chamber of the rim/tire. The resulting valve stem (which is actually a metal fitting screwed into the spoke which contains a Schrader valve) sticks out perpendicular to the plane of the tire (just like a 90 degree stem).
Oh yeah, the BMW also has a sane riding position, cruise control, comfortable (but not adjustable, they offer seats with height options) seat, has adjustable brake (but not clutch) lever, my daughters love the passenger accommodations, and the mirrors are totally useable. Not sure about the horn as I haven't had to use it yet.
I think I may have found the 99% perfect bike as it also has electronic suspension, 4 ride modes, 3-D traction control and ABS, and it even has heated grips.
Oh, and it goes like greased stink!
You're right Dave, they do go like greased stink and when I read the specs, I too thought I had found the 99% perfect bike, a GS with a hot 4 cyl motor in it, a marriage made in heaven. It was the first bike to get me into a showroom in 30 years.
I arranged a half day test ride from a dealer on the outskirts of town, nearer the hills and open road. I took it back after half an hour. I didn't like it. Horses for courses I guess. I can fully understand why you love it, but not for me. I found it to be a niche bike rather than the all rounder "Ultimate sports tourer" it was touted as. It is a sports bike with a better riding position and from what I read of your riding, I can understand why it suits you and yes, the electronic wizardry is amazing.
I have been looking on and off for a post 2010 BMW RT for a while, my enthusiasm waxing and waning, but a few weeks back I had the chance to ride a new (1 week old) water cooled RT, and like you, I knew immediately I had found my 99% perfect bike.
I have set the wheels in motion to make it happen (a stable mate, not a replacement, for the FJ)
It's rare to get on a bike that fits you so well there's not even a hint of doubt.
I'm glad you're enjoying the XR so much, they're a lot of bike.
Noel
Noel,
I'm curious, what did you not like about it?
I'll admit to a few warts:
It's not a highway bike, despite advertising it as an Adventure Touring bike. Not nearly enough gearing. It's at least 1000PRM above any of my other bikes in top gear at a given speed. 6th gear should really be about 4th and a half gear. I agree with your statement that it's a sport bike with a better riding position. From your travel write ups, I guess I can see why it's not the bike for you.
I thought I was going to absolutely hate the seat as it kind of locks you in place and has a slight slope toward the tank. But, 3 full days riding in Arkansas last Fall have me about 95% convinced that Corbin will not be getting any more of my money.
The bar vibration is well documented in the press and on the S1KXR forum (topic is currently up to 31 pages). However, what you don't hear is the vibes start out BAD but they get better with every ride. There are plenty of theories and bar end weights are said to be a 90% solution. At 4000 miles I have to be looking for vibes to notice them. It's not '93 FJ smooth, but at this point it's really no worse than my '85 FJ or '02 FZ1.
I wouldn't want it to be my commuter bike and that's not why I bought it. I bought it because riding it on twisty roads makes me smile and hoot in my helmet. It's my first "brand new" streetbike in the last 31 years. I couldn't have chosen better.
Although my friend has a new '14 Tuano V4 and that motor is absolutely amazing. TORQUE, smooth transmission, geared to the moon, unfortunately I don't like the ergos and there is no wind protection.
It's also interesting to hear the new XR owners compare it to their previous BMW (probably the second biggest thread on the forum).
Thanks Hooli, can you change the counter shaft and rear sprocket to suit your gearing?
Pat,
That was my first thought; however, it has one other wart that I forget to mention.
It's kind of soft right off idle. It needs quite a bit of throttle to get going. A few people have stalled theirs taking off and dropped it due to how tall it is.
So, gearing for reduced RPM would only make that worse. And really, I'm just getting used to a different style of riding. With the FJ, I get it in 5th gear and just surf that massive torque wave. While the XR has torque in spades, that quickshifter is a blast to use so I find myself using it more often. While I'm not used to reving the FJ out to redline (as it's hardly ever required), the XR loves to rev. After 30+years of riding the FJ, it's going to take some time to adjust my riding style. It's not bad, only different and I find myself enjoying it more with every ride.
All that said, I still try to share equal time with the FJ. That bike is a part of me and it's still a blast to ride and gets as much attention as the XR.
Quote from: FJ_Hooligan on April 20, 2016, 06:29:27 PM
Noel,
I'm curious, what did you not like about it?
...............
It's also interesting to hear the new XR owners compare it to their previous BMW (probably the second biggest thread on the forum).
Well Hooli, in the interest of brevity, I told the somewhat surprised salesman that it didn't leave a smile I couldn't wipe off my face, I would not go to bed dreaming about it and I didn't want to keep riding it, hence, it failed the test.
It was the motor I wasn't keen on. A quick fang up through some twisties definitely put a smile on my face and I believe some hootin' and hollerin' from under my helmet. I gave it plenty of full throttle up to redline through the gears out of and in between corners, braking harder than you would ever dare on the FJ and it was spectacular, the electronics keeping everything tidy, (many side by side road tests report the XR's are much faster through the twisties than the RR's) but that was where my enjoyment of it ended.
In the battle between modern tyres speeding me up and age slowing me down, the tyres are winning and I'm riding faster than ever and I'm lucky enough to spend more time in the twisties than most.
My scratched belly pan, brake and gear levers, exhausts and discoloured brakes bear testament to that. But, I like all round touring and unless you ride the same roads all the time, you need to travel and the roads to and from are not always back to back twisties. I also like doing long trips with multiple big days (800km+) and a day that long takes you through a lot of terrain, twisties are only ever going to a part of it over that sort of distance, not all of it.
My rides are never less than 8 hours, in the Summer, 10-12 hrs, you can't keep up "race pace" over that sort of distance anyway, even if it was all twisties.
I found the XR to be like a caged animal, primed and just waiting for the next set of corners and not happy in between, despite not having the FJ's grunt at highway speeds when overtaking without going back a couple of gears. It's an angry motor just waiting to be unleashed and was not relaxing nor sounded happy when not being thrashed.
I find the sound and feel of the FJ engine a cruising speeds, as I do the boxer engine, relaxing, almost cathartic, the XR engine grated on me.
Then there's the vibration. The turbine smoothness of the FJ at cruising revs is something I consciously think about many times per ride. Even by modern standards, I don't believe there is an in line 4 that's any smoother.
I'm lucky that I still get to ride plenty of new bikes and the comparison was not just between it and the FJ but between it and many of it's contemporaries.
IMO the attributes of the XR are narrowly focused and it is not, as you agreed, an all rounder. It's none the less a stunner being flogged through the mountains.
Simply put, I want a good all rounder. I love the feel and sound of the new generation boxer twins, vastly different from the previous air cooled models, they are quicker, very torquey and despite the bikes bulky appearance, very nimble.
There is nothing wrong with the XR, it's just not the bike best suited to my needs. It's a personal thing, not a slight on the bike itself.
I'm well accustomed to all the other electronics on the GS but the quickshifter on the newer models is something else.
I was determined I wouldn't like it but within 5 minutes I was using it seamlessly without even thinking about it. Nearly 50 years of habit dispensed with in a few minutes. Unlike a paddle shifter in a car where blokes pretend they're driving a Ferrari or F1 when all they're doing is changing an automatic transmission manually (just like we did in the 60's with the stick) this bit of electronic wizardry is truly wonderful and actually enhances the enjoyment of the manual gearbox and takes away nothing. More recently I have put in a couple of hundred km's on the RT with the same shifter, love it.
As I said Hooli, horses for courses, nothing really wrong with the XR, just not the package that best suits my particular riding needs.
If I had to answer what I specifically did NOT like about the bike, it would only be the vibes and the almost too loud induction noise without ear plugs (probably no worse than the FJ, which also hurts my ears without plugs)
Noel
Noel,
I think that's a fair assessment. It's not a bike that I would want to spend a lot of time on a road with few twists. It can do it, but as you imply it would be like using a racehorse to pull a plow.
The quickshifter is kind of addictive. And, after spending a youth around unmuffled race cars and a career working with 400Hz electronics, I always wear ear plugs to preserve what little hearing I have left. With plugs I think the intake howl is sweet music.
Good luck with the new RT. They are nice.
Wor!...thanks guys!....a great read! :drinks: