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Today may have been the first day where we actually had a warm afternoon here in NE Ohio. So, I affixed the 2018 license sticker to the plate, put the Progressive insurance card under the saddle, and went for a short ride of 15-20 miles.
If I'd known it was going to warm up so nicely, I'd have planned to ride earlier.
But, hey, you do what you can do. Thoroughly enjoyable.
However, it convinced me of one thing. Firm suspensions don't get more compliant over wintertime. So I'll have to spend some more time working on front fork compliance later in the spring.
Have to say, the CB fired right up, after sitting since late November. Not a glitch!
Bob
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Nice...
Fuel injection is awesome
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Bob - Have you had the opportunity to ride a 2017 EX? I haven't ridden a 2014, so don't know how harsh its suspension may be, but my 2017 is about as pleasant as anything I've ridden (other than my two 2017 Harley touring bikes, which, oddly enough, use the same Showa Dual Bending Valve technology). I've been riding my K75RT over the winter, on which I have a YSS rear shock set up by Tom Cutter, and it's reasonably compliant, but the EX is appreciably better.
I don't know if it's at all feasible to use suspension pieces from the 2017 on your 2014; probably it's prohibitively expensive. But I'm guessing you can make changes to bring the bike to a level you'll like. It's heavy enough that suspension can be made to work . . .
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(04-12-2018, 10:17 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: Nice...
Fuel injection is awesome
Having the fuel between pump and injectors sealed from atmosphere helps.
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(04-12-2018, 06:54 PM)cookiemech_imp Wrote: Bob - Have you had the opportunity to ride a 2017 EX? I haven't ridden a 2014, so don't know how harsh its suspension may be, but my 2017 is about as pleasant as anything I've ridden (other than my two 2017 Harley touring bikes, which, oddly enough, use the same Showa Dual Bending Valve technology). I've been riding my K75RT over the winter, on which I have a YSS rear shock set up by Tom Cutter, and it's reasonably compliant, but the EX is appreciably better.
I don't know if it's at all feasible to use suspension pieces from the 2017 on your 2014; probably it's prohibitively expensive. But I'm guessing you can make changes to bring the bike to a level you'll like. It's heavy enough that suspension can be made to work . . .
I'm half way there ..... the Ikon shocks have made the rear suspension much more compliant. With lighter fork springs and fluid, the front forks are better, but not where I want them (yet.) I'll get there, it may take some more work. No, I'm not prepared to throw another $500-600 at suspension. i think I've got the right components ..... just need to do some further tweaking.
Bob
PS - had the 2014 'black beauty' out today before taking the Guzzi 1200
Sport for an 80 mile run and another run afterwards. Must admit, the CB tranny, engine, etc, felt really nice. (The bikes are day and night different machines.) I believe taking the slop out of the CB drive chain made a world of difference in how the bike feels when shifting, especially downshifting.