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New user
Posts: 2
| Picked up the XC in Bremerhaven, Germany, Friday after some serious nail-biting. I was worried sick that we'd get there and either; 1) It wouldn't have a key; 2) It wouldn't start; 3) It would be damaged; or 4) I wouldn't get it through customs. Fortunately, even with my terrible command of the German language, we were able to get on the road about noon.
When you ship a bike, it has to be damn near empty, so the first order of business was finding a gas station. But even before we got to one, the heavens opened up. Nothing like learning a new bike's characteristics in the rain. And on top of the rain, it was in the 40s too, which meant I had on heavy gloves, rain gear, etc., adding to the challenge.
We stayed on back roads for the first couple of hundred miles, which sucks in the rain in the fall with all the leaves on the roads. I drive like a little old lady in the rain anyway, so keeping the speed down during break-in wasn't a problem. I did follow a combination of all the recommendations for break-in, varying speed, compression/decompression runs, keeping the RPMs down, etc. Felt bad for the wife leading though, as she's a speed demon, and kept having to slow down for me. Regardless, after two days of cold rainy riding, we made it the 400+ miles back to our home in Heidelberg.
My observations/opinions on the bike so far;
1. The mirrors are a bit too narrow for my shoulders.
2. Metric style turn signal switches are hard to get used to after riding Harleys for so long.
3. The overall ergonomics of the bike were good for my 6' 200+lb frame.
4. The gas gauge sucks.
5. The saddle bags like to eject things if not secured properly.
6. The fit and finish is questionable- I have paint peeling around the passenger floorboards, and where the seat hits the gas tank it's already rubbed through the clearcoat.
7. Gotta get some driving lights ASAP, as I had two drivers cut me off. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they couldn't see me in rain.
All-in-all though, I'm tickled pick with my new scoot! Even the stock windshield I've heard so many complaints about worked well for me. Granted, I needed the wind to keep my visor clear of the rain, and I wasn't travelling very long on the Autobahn, but the buffeting didn't seem so bad. Power was good, and seemed to improve as the miles racked up. I need a bit of practice with the slow speed maneuvering though, as this bike feels a bit heavier than my Roadking. Can't wait to get the first service out of the way, so I can take her out on the Autobahn and really see what she can do! | |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Keep very that speed the top end has no oil to speak of when riding at 70 or so and it needs oil so you don't burning something.
PLEASE never rap your pipes at idle when cold or even warm. WHY when you rev the motor and its cold or warm the piston expand very fast and touch the steel selves and now you have scored pistons and loss of power.
I all ways drive with my high beams on during the day cars are not looking for us so I give them a little help that way.
I have seen some great running light that mount on the front fender. Run a search here. You should do a antenna search cause it sucks.
Good luck on you new life of riding | |
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