heems
Member
After waiting in agony for 2 weeks the shipper dropped off the Pitbull and after a good 20 minutes ooogling I threw a leg over and rode a big dog for the first time - a 9 mile ride. Yes, you read it right. I bought the dog sight unseen - who needs a stinkin' test drive 
It was one of those love at first sight things i guess...Anyhow, I thought I share some first impressions so others in my position a few months back doing research can benefit. Oh yeah, I had an Yamaha FZR600 prior for 6 years that ended in 1998.
- This is a big bike. I am talking about dimensions. I feel like I am riding a big tank. Turns very different from the crotch rocket and I found myself doing large radius turns.
- The whole bike seems stiff. Kind of like a sport cars with really stiff suspension. A few bumps in the road had me clear off my seat. This is probably personal preference, but I like the feel. What's the word I am looking for... hardcore?
- The engine is loud and the thump thump of the VTwin is ever present. So maybe some ear plugs or a better hemlet is on the horizon.
- The engine has butt loads of torque. I didn't try this, but I think I can start in 3rd gear from stop. Never had that experience before. Feels solid.
- The shifiting is smooth. Coming to stand still and wanting to put the bike in neutral I found it hard to do so. Eventually gave up and parked in 1st (which is probaby better anyway).
- Oh yeah, the stand does not cut off the engine while in gear (as I was used to with the Yamaha).
- I didn't take it past 40 (for break in reasons) but the bike has some vibrations through the pegs and hand bars but nothing like my previous bike. The Yamaha buzzed so bad that my fingers and toes would go numb.
- Love the riding position. The crotch rocket would kill my wrists after 15 min. I am not used to the forward(ish) controls and ended up changing gears "in the air" and had to consciously look down and extend my leg to place it on the peg properly.
- Over all a very positive experience. I am super excited to get more ride time in and get more confident with the way the bike handles.
I have some engine /QA questions, but will do another post on that with some pics later on...
Cheers.
H
It was one of those love at first sight things i guess...Anyhow, I thought I share some first impressions so others in my position a few months back doing research can benefit. Oh yeah, I had an Yamaha FZR600 prior for 6 years that ended in 1998.- This is a big bike. I am talking about dimensions. I feel like I am riding a big tank. Turns very different from the crotch rocket and I found myself doing large radius turns.
- The whole bike seems stiff. Kind of like a sport cars with really stiff suspension. A few bumps in the road had me clear off my seat. This is probably personal preference, but I like the feel. What's the word I am looking for... hardcore?
- The engine is loud and the thump thump of the VTwin is ever present. So maybe some ear plugs or a better hemlet is on the horizon.
- The engine has butt loads of torque. I didn't try this, but I think I can start in 3rd gear from stop. Never had that experience before. Feels solid.
- The shifiting is smooth. Coming to stand still and wanting to put the bike in neutral I found it hard to do so. Eventually gave up and parked in 1st (which is probaby better anyway).
- Oh yeah, the stand does not cut off the engine while in gear (as I was used to with the Yamaha).
- I didn't take it past 40 (for break in reasons) but the bike has some vibrations through the pegs and hand bars but nothing like my previous bike. The Yamaha buzzed so bad that my fingers and toes would go numb.
- Love the riding position. The crotch rocket would kill my wrists after 15 min. I am not used to the forward(ish) controls and ended up changing gears "in the air" and had to consciously look down and extend my leg to place it on the peg properly.
- Over all a very positive experience. I am super excited to get more ride time in and get more confident with the way the bike handles.
I have some engine /QA questions, but will do another post on that with some pics later on...
Cheers.
H
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