Had another nice ride today. Just over 600 miles total and got my service soon indicator, My baby is all growing up, awww...:angel:
She is still the most phenomenal thing I've had between my legs that didn't smell like baby powder and leave glitter on my BVD's.
I've got the suspension set slightly loose on compression in the front and one up on pre-load on the rear from the recommended 210-235 gear weight chart. Went about 200 miles today, about 140 of those on some super curves!
I'm finding some untravelled roads all over the pass, not many cross streets, and just gated driveways. I don't try to push it too hard on the street but I was rounding a 15mph corner at maybe 35? and hit some thick gravel in the middle of my lane:upset: THAT will get your heart rate up! Bike slid a bit but in the middle of the corner I was off the seat already and on the balls of my feet, so it didn't do much more than extend my legs and it pulled right back onto the right line. I didn't notice if the TC light blinked (on 3) but I do notice it will if I leave a light to fast. She doesn't need ANY help on turn-in so I'll back off the rear shock pre-load, but might loosen compression in the rear as well.
After all those tiring curves, a good test was to get on the freeway. My biggest trepidation of buying the SX in the first place was it's commutability, I made the choice to go home on LA freeways (118,14,5,405) and see how the ol' girl did. Not a very long ride (about 60 miles) but I did learn a lot about her freeway manners.
Above 90, it's windy. There is NO protection from the front. Pulling Guido and Lefty from being smashed against the airbox cover and scooting back on the wide seat helped my riding position a ton (6'3"). It's leaned forward enough to balance the wind blast on your chest, legs more relaxed, and the seat really ain't so bad back there. Shift around and any tainty pressure points can be relieved. BUT you pay the penalty of being behind the CG and you are bounced around pretty bad on anything other that a super smooth lane. I'll loosen the rear shock a bit. Sure would be nice to have ride modes (Cough, cough, S1000R...).
She's all stock gearing, but I have tips and ECM. A very chill 5k rpm is 83mph and she likes to sit right there humming peacefully along. The tip mod is quiet enough at that rpm, a long ride won't leave your ears ringing:up: At 5k rpm in 6th you can still pass someone RIGHT NOW by just twisting the throttle. No need to downshift.
I'll have a 43 tooth rear sprocket soon. Leaving a light in first and having to slip the clutch through the whole intersection is just silly.
I feel I should mark my rear tire on the rim to know if it spins. I bet it does:eagerness:
I only use the clutch from a stop, and the trans is very, very, slick. No false neutrals and a mid corner change is graceful enough not to upset a bad line. A little throttle control and she upshifts and downshifts like butta! I want a quick shifter badly though, I just do.
Both my mirror stems loosened up today so bad they were flopping around. A quick turn with my trusty leatherman is all it took, but I thought I'd mention it if it keeps happening. It's really disconcerting too look in your mirror an have a helmeted man staring back at you!
No other worries except the kickstand gets chain grease all over it.
Great day today. I'm gonna sleep in tomorrow and celebrate Judas' victory