Thoughts on ownership.

[steveR]

Well after nearly 3k miles, the lump and I are getting to know each other. Still a few things to sort out before Scotland in a fortnight, but I am reasonably happy with her.

But oh it's a top heavy sod, and as for getting it up off the floor after wingman James rear ended me in France, I do not think I will not be off roading it anytime soon! Thank goodness for the the extra help and crash bars! Parking it is a task undertaken with care, as manouvreing it out from a bay needs care and strength if you have parked badly. Like a 4wd, it's best reversed in...

A-road MPG is around 48-50, so OK, inevitably fast motorway work hits consumption... as does fun and games over mountain passes!! It needs better bars, if I can find some and I will also dump the horrible heated grips on it that were fitted when I bought it. Pretty comfy with an Airhawk over an 8hr day. As SteveT promised, it really does feel planted on the road, though too big for really nadgery Alpine roads when heavily laden compared to a Transalp. A couple of wee glitches so far with the odometer resetting itself (and the clock) and gearing is too high in my opinion in 1st. Maybe a tooth less on the gearbox sprocket?

Bloody good road presence mind. A pair of high power LED spots would be even better, I reckon.

I am not head over heels with it yet, I think my preference is really for a smaller capacity bike, but that lovely V twin really is very seductive...

[Paul-S]

Nice summary Steve - interesting to see what you might think a few months and more trips on

[Nickel Arse]

For sprocket tuning try this handy link to see what happens why where
Gearing Commander: Motorcycle Speed, RPM, Chain & Sprockets Calculator
The clock reset is annoying it happens every now and then on start-up too but laying it down will cut all power automatically
Head over heels with mine...no not really, but for what I want there is no better alternative. Maybe when I can afford it I'll have a couple of rides in the garage to choose from

[steveR]

Nice summary Steve - interesting to see what you might think a few months and more trips on

Thanks Paul. As you say time will tell... I haven't sold the Honda Scoot quite yet, but will do so after Scotland

[steveR]

For sprocket tuning try this handy link to see what happens why where
Gearing Commander: Motorcycle Speed, RPM, Chain & Sprockets Calculator
The clock reset is annoying it happens every now and then on start-up too but laying it down will cut all power automatically

Interesting site Snap, thanks. No Vara as far as I can see though I have filled in the data page for the website and will wait and see if it is added in the coming week ...

My gearing swaps in the past have been playing around with various sprockets. I do get twitch at small gearbox cogs though, and prefer to go up a few at the back if the chain allows it. Slow speed riding seems to need too much clutch slipping for my liking, I can do it, but having been raised on Trials bikes and pukka trailies, I like a gear to be such as it can be used!

Interesting that the reset thing is a known issue. The 2nd time it happened, was after I stalled the bike (see too high gearing!!)

[Dee Duble Yuh]

About once or so a year my bike has a slight difficulty starting and then the engine spits back; that's when the clocks reset. As I say, it's infrequent so I don't let it bother me. The manouvering thing is something you get used to. You probably always should have reversed into parking spaces, but smaller bikes are more forgiving. By parking facing up an incline I can use gravity to reverse if necessary; it also reduces the likelihood of the bike rolling off the stand.

A high first gear is a problem. Changing gearing may not have appreciable effect on that, perhaps just one or two mph. The engine can pull from very low revs though!

[Chad]

start pumping some Iron steve you will grow into her

[steveR]

About once or so a year my bike has a slight difficulty starting and then the engine spits back; that's when the clocks reset. As I say, it's infrequent so I don't let it bother me. The manouvering thing is something you get used to. You probably always should have reversed into parking spaces, but smaller bikes are more forgiving. By parking facing up an incline I can use gravity to reverse if necessary; it also reduces the likelihood of the bike rolling off the stand.

A high first gear is a problem. Changing gearing may not have appreciable effect on that, perhaps just one or two mph. The engine can pull from very low revs though!

The TA needed "reversing" in as well, especially when loaded, the vara is the same, but more so....! It is weird this resetting business, the way both clock and odemeter both go. Do the newer ones do it too?

It is always a decision call on swapping gearing, top gear fuel saving versus in town (and off road) manageability. Stupid on a 6 speed box though that they have such a high first in myn opinion, I find that the big V makes for snatchy very low rev response without lots of clutch action. Mind they do fit one big ass clutch cable!!

[steveR]

start pumping some Iron steve you will grow into her

Plenty of Iron in a MaccyD

Gotta admit upper body strength ain't what it used to be Chad, chucking bales around used to keep me fit and toned, but modern farming requires more button pressing and lever pulling.

[Tony Varadero]

great sum up. I agree with comments re: getting used to the top heavy thingy, specially when manovering into parking lots etc. you will notice it less and less. IMHO the longer the trip you go for the more the bike grows on you. Fully agree with first gear issue. I was told I would regret selling the AT but 23K miles down the road I haven't yet.....if I did off roading, I may heve a few regrets but for what I do with the bike, the Dero suits me perfectly fine.