First Ride on the New Bike

[Heavy Armor]

So I got enough of the maintenance items done on my 2001 that I felt like it was time for my first actual test ride. Throttle cable repaired, new oil and coolant, new air filter, checked the tire pressure and all the lights and switchgear, and made sure the suspension pressure was in spec. I needed a warmup run so I could replace the rear end oil, so it was a good excuse to take it for a spin.

I was pretty nervous, since I've never ridden this kind of machine before and I didn't know what the suspension was going to "feel" like. It has a bit of stiction when you first rock it off the side stand... dunno if that's a common thing with air suspension, but once it pops loose that first time it's unnoticeable any time afterward. Maybe something to do with it not being ridden in awhile? I haven't replaced the fork oil yet (I hate messing with forks, it was a huge, messy PITA on my Triumph).

It was an interesting ride. I'm not sure if the speedo is off, or it's just that frikkin smooth, but it said I was doing 60 and it felt like no more than 50. The suspension was weird, very soft and cushy, yet somehow still transmitting a lot of jarring and vibration through the handlebars, like there was a mismatch between what my hands and what my butt were experiencing.

The carbs definitely need some love. While idling with the choke on, it will randomly launch to like 3000 rpms, and if I wiggle the choke lightly, it'll come back down. It feels like there's a lack of power on acceleration, and the idle can hang high around 1500 rpms before slowly settling back to 1000. At highway speeds, there was occasional sputtering. I've used starting fluid to check for air leaks but can't find anything. The tank is loaded full of Seafoam right now, so maybe it'll eventually work itself out with more riding. Takes more throttle than it should from first gear, and the friction zone is right at the top of the clutch action, so that's pretty different from my Triumph also. Not sure of there's a way to adjust the friction zone on a hydraulic clutch.

The temp gauge is definitely not working. It never moved more than 1 mark above the peg. I need to do the extra ground wire trick to see if that takes care of it, because things are about to get hot here in GA, and I suspect that sending unit is responsible for when the fan comes on..?

The windshield edge is directly in my line of sight, which is annoying. I need to either cut it down or buy a taller one, not sure which I'd prefer. I've actually never used a windshield before.

The tires are in good shape, but the date says they're 6 or 7 years old, so I probably need to look into replacing them.

Overall it was a positive experience, but I'm not sure I like it as much as my Speedmaster, which just feels a lot more planted (granted it has about $800 of upgraded suspension parts). Time will tell I guess!

[Nails]

It has a bit of stiction when you first rock it off the side stand... dunno if that's a common thing with air suspension ... The suspension was weird, very soft and cushy, yet somehow still transmitting a lot of jarring and vibration through the handlebars, like there was a mismatch between what my hands and what my butt were experiencing.

Strongly recommend replacing the shock fluid. And fork fluid. And all fluids. Mine was harsh and otherwise sucked until I changed the shock fluid. Almost bounced my daughter clear off the bike!

Now it's planted even in bumpy corners and gives a nice ride. The suspension is my favorite thing about this piggly bike.

I'm not sure if the speedo is off,

It is. Reads high -- like all others. You can fix that with a different gear in the wheel housing. Then the speedo will be dead-nuts, but the odo will be off. (I like it better that way.)

While idling with the choke on, it will randomly launch to like 3000 rpms, and if I wiggle the choke lightly, it'll come back down. It feels like there's a lack of power on acceleration, and the idle can hang high around 1500 rpms before slowly settling back to 1000.

CV carbs can be challenging like that. I've been chasing this, too. Had it pretty settled, but getting bad again. I'll re-synch the carbs (again). Note that removing the carbs (to properly clean them) is a PITA, and I hope I can avoid doing that for like the sixth time. Have you drained all the crap out of your float bowls?

I also had a stuck piston ring, secondary to a damaged spark plug. I think this is rare.

At highway speeds, there was occasional sputtering.

I'll replace the plugs (iridium) and wires in the next couple weeks. This job requires making your hands very small, but only just temporarily.

Not sure of there's a way to adjust the friction zone on a hydraulic clutch.

Bleed this with fresh fluid. Brakes too. Replace all the fluids.

The temp gauge is definitely not working. ... I need to do the extra ground wire trick to see if that takes care of it.

Yep, that's what you need to do. When you replace the spark wires would be a good time. And replace those coolant o-rings too, while you're in there. With your small hands.

and I suspect that sending unit is responsible for when the fan comes on..?

Nope, that switch is separate.

The windshield edge is directly in my line of sight, which is annoying. I need to either cut it down or buy a taller one, not sure which I'd prefer.

My stock windshield gave a lot of buffeting. I cut mine down to 12" above the cowling, plus a second one to just 9". The short one puts my head in clean wind (laminar-flow, very little buffeting) and is great for ventilation, but it's got a lot of wind noise. (I didn't notice it at first because my cheap helmet made a lot of noise all the time.) The 12" windshield is a fair compromise, but still noisy in my new, nice helmet. It gets a lot quieter if I hold my head down just an inch. I'm 5-7 and I wish I'd left it at 13-14". I suggest sticking your head up until you get a lot more noise, and then cutting it off just a little taller than that. Ideal is probably when your top helmet vents get a lot of air, but not the top of your visor (where the noise mostly comes from).

Lately, I dump the face shield and just use safety sunglasses. This is surprisingly quiet and good ventilation. (I carry both a clear and dark tinted face shield. )

[Heavy Armor]

While idling with the choke on, it will randomly launch to like 3000 rpms, and if I wiggle the choke lightly, it'll come back down. It feels like there's a lack of power on acceleration, and the idle can hang high around 1500 rpms before slowly settling back to 1000.

CV carbs can be challenging like that. I've been chasing this, too. Had it pretty settled, but getting bad again. I'll re-synch the carbs (again). Note that removing the carbs (to properly clean them) is a PITA, and I hope I can avoid doing that for like the sixth time. Have you drained all the crap out of your float bowls?

I have not drained float bowls. BUT I did discover today as I was trying to change the spark plugs that my 3rd plug wire was almost entirely disintegrated. It broke in half with the slightest tug. I think there's a strong possiblity that's my sputtering culprit.

I'm not that familiar with plug wires.... it looks like the end screws on to the wire itself? Is that correct? Can I just screw it back in and be good to go? I've never seen wires with this setup before.

[GrandpaDenny]

I'm not that familiar with plug wires.... it looks like the end screws on to the wire itself? Is that correct? Can I just screw it back in and be good to go? I've never seen wires with this setup before.

Yup.