Post by binny on Jun 17, 2009 20:26:46 GMT 10
Yes that's right, I have a bike again. I have been stormless for about 8 months and was taking it alright until the last couple of weeks. I have really really wanted a bike the last few weeks, i don't know what the catalyst has been. It certainly hasbn't been the weather which has been as low as -6 lately. Maybe it has been the awesome Motogp and sbk races lately that have got me fired up.
Anyway, somehow I got permission so I flew down to the bike shop and bought the first bike I clapped eyes on!!!
Just kidding but after a lot of deliberation about what style of bike I wanted I ended up with this -
'05 model 8000km
It sure isn't my dream bike and I sure hadn't pictured myself owning one of these but a test ride sealed the deal. I needed a more upright bike due to my busted up wrist giving me grief, especially in this cold weather. I considered a large traily like a KLR650 but decided I would end up wanting more power and possibly to try out Wakefield park one day. Tried a couple of naked 600s but you had to rev em to get them moving and were such a contrast to the twist and go nature of the storm.
I ended up spotting this at the local bike shop, took her for a ride and came back grinning from ear to ear. It's just good honest fun. Its a bit hard to haggle when you come back from a test ride looking like that lol.
Anyway first impressions after a whole 35km of ownership are -
- the rising position suits me perfect, a bit like a big traily but with a slight cant forward so your not straight up and down. It suits my wrist really well because I can ride with virtually no weight on it, even braking.
- On braking, they crap all over the storms, which we all know ain't hard. And with the short wheelbase can lift up the rear wheel very easy as I found out today.
- Its very easy to ride, the gearbox is smooth as and doesn't make a sound changing gears. I had a second stab a couple of times because i thought it hadn't gone in. The brakes, clutch and throttle are progressive and its very easy to ride in traffic.
- The engine is a real surprise package. Its a zx9r engine sleeved down but it has the same stroke. Its pulls smoothly for 2k and kicks well from 4 right through to redline. Theres a nice surge at the top end from about 8 onwards. It's kinda nice to have something with a top end rush again. The fuel injection is really sorted well and I haven't experienced any glitches or hesitation at any revs. It also starts first kick without even using the "fast idle" not even sure why its there to be honest. For people who are used to having a choke I suppose. It has 2hp less than a stock storm and can get about 115 atw with a pipe, PCIII and filter which is more than enough for me. A Z1000 would be nice but a lot extra and not a great deal faster until well over the speed limit according to the pommy bike mags i have read.
- Handling wise I haven't had much opportunity to try it but the suspension soaks up bumps well and it didn't get out of shape at all along the bumpy old cooma road. Its going to take a while to get used to the upright riding position in the corners though, feels a bit weird at the moment. need to watch how the motard fellahs do it lol.
Anyway considering it came in well under my 10k budget limit I'm really happy with it so far. I wasn't after a full on sports bike, I wanted a stress reliever that would cheer me up whenever I rode it and this bike appears to fit the bill. Time will tell I guess......
Better stop crapping on I suppose. I hope to take it for a decent run on the weekend to get to know it better.
Canberra dudes, keep me in the loop for the next ride. Thats if you will still ride with me now I have a kwaka
Anyway, somehow I got permission so I flew down to the bike shop and bought the first bike I clapped eyes on!!!
Just kidding but after a lot of deliberation about what style of bike I wanted I ended up with this -
'05 model 8000km
It sure isn't my dream bike and I sure hadn't pictured myself owning one of these but a test ride sealed the deal. I needed a more upright bike due to my busted up wrist giving me grief, especially in this cold weather. I considered a large traily like a KLR650 but decided I would end up wanting more power and possibly to try out Wakefield park one day. Tried a couple of naked 600s but you had to rev em to get them moving and were such a contrast to the twist and go nature of the storm.
I ended up spotting this at the local bike shop, took her for a ride and came back grinning from ear to ear. It's just good honest fun. Its a bit hard to haggle when you come back from a test ride looking like that lol.
Anyway first impressions after a whole 35km of ownership are -
- the rising position suits me perfect, a bit like a big traily but with a slight cant forward so your not straight up and down. It suits my wrist really well because I can ride with virtually no weight on it, even braking.
- On braking, they crap all over the storms, which we all know ain't hard. And with the short wheelbase can lift up the rear wheel very easy as I found out today.
- Its very easy to ride, the gearbox is smooth as and doesn't make a sound changing gears. I had a second stab a couple of times because i thought it hadn't gone in. The brakes, clutch and throttle are progressive and its very easy to ride in traffic.
- The engine is a real surprise package. Its a zx9r engine sleeved down but it has the same stroke. Its pulls smoothly for 2k and kicks well from 4 right through to redline. Theres a nice surge at the top end from about 8 onwards. It's kinda nice to have something with a top end rush again. The fuel injection is really sorted well and I haven't experienced any glitches or hesitation at any revs. It also starts first kick without even using the "fast idle" not even sure why its there to be honest. For people who are used to having a choke I suppose. It has 2hp less than a stock storm and can get about 115 atw with a pipe, PCIII and filter which is more than enough for me. A Z1000 would be nice but a lot extra and not a great deal faster until well over the speed limit according to the pommy bike mags i have read.
- Handling wise I haven't had much opportunity to try it but the suspension soaks up bumps well and it didn't get out of shape at all along the bumpy old cooma road. Its going to take a while to get used to the upright riding position in the corners though, feels a bit weird at the moment. need to watch how the motard fellahs do it lol.
Anyway considering it came in well under my 10k budget limit I'm really happy with it so far. I wasn't after a full on sports bike, I wanted a stress reliever that would cheer me up whenever I rode it and this bike appears to fit the bill. Time will tell I guess......
Better stop crapping on I suppose. I hope to take it for a decent run on the weekend to get to know it better.
Canberra dudes, keep me in the loop for the next ride. Thats if you will still ride with me now I have a kwaka
Oooops.
.....mate glad your happy with it, that's the main thing anyway 
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