02-24-2020, 12:53 AM
My buddy just purchased said bike to get back in the saddle after quite a long hiatus from riding. He had been looking for a while and found an '03 in nearby King NC. He doesn't know much about bikes or have his license so I went with him yesterday to test ride/ride home if it was worth the $1500 asking price.
Bike was in decent shape for a 17 year old bike. Only 8325 on the clock which concerned me. The PO was a diesel mechanic and had kept it up. New plugs and oil change recently. He only ran 93 non-ethanol which had saved the carbs from gumming up. One drawback...original tires. I was not to thrilled about having to take this thing back to my house (storing it there until he does his msf course and gets it insured) at 75-80 down the highway.
In the end it all checked out and he purchased the bike. I did a short test ride to get acquainted. The levers are very far from the grips and I have small hands (so does my buddy) so that will have to be addressed. The friction point on the clutch is at the very end of the throw for the lever so it is very hard to get out of first smoothly. That can be adjusted but it may need a new clutch. I felt some slipping when I got on it for an Italian tune up. What's up with the speedo on the tank? You basically have to look at your crotch to check speed. I would not get used to that. Valve checks every 4000 miles I believe which is crazy so that will have to be done. The tires will need to be replaced and were about 15 lbs down on front and back.
On the highway home it settled in nicely at 75. No problem keeping up with traffic and still had a little more go above 80 but it got a little vibey up there. There is a little windshield that kept wind off my chest. No buffeting but the wind goes right under my helmet line which is a tad noisy. Seemed to stay fairly planted at speed over bumps. I believe once sorted he will be comfortable chewing up some miles on it.
Bottom line. Not a cruiser guy. Never have been. Never will be. I just don't feel comfortable without my legs under me. The 650 is a bit of a dog (being nice here) but if it gets my pal out on the road with me and we can do a couple camping trips this spring, good for him. I'll stick with standards and my little CBR.
Bike was in decent shape for a 17 year old bike. Only 8325 on the clock which concerned me. The PO was a diesel mechanic and had kept it up. New plugs and oil change recently. He only ran 93 non-ethanol which had saved the carbs from gumming up. One drawback...original tires. I was not to thrilled about having to take this thing back to my house (storing it there until he does his msf course and gets it insured) at 75-80 down the highway.
In the end it all checked out and he purchased the bike. I did a short test ride to get acquainted. The levers are very far from the grips and I have small hands (so does my buddy) so that will have to be addressed. The friction point on the clutch is at the very end of the throw for the lever so it is very hard to get out of first smoothly. That can be adjusted but it may need a new clutch. I felt some slipping when I got on it for an Italian tune up. What's up with the speedo on the tank? You basically have to look at your crotch to check speed. I would not get used to that. Valve checks every 4000 miles I believe which is crazy so that will have to be done. The tires will need to be replaced and were about 15 lbs down on front and back.
On the highway home it settled in nicely at 75. No problem keeping up with traffic and still had a little more go above 80 but it got a little vibey up there. There is a little windshield that kept wind off my chest. No buffeting but the wind goes right under my helmet line which is a tad noisy. Seemed to stay fairly planted at speed over bumps. I believe once sorted he will be comfortable chewing up some miles on it.
Bottom line. Not a cruiser guy. Never have been. Never will be. I just don't feel comfortable without my legs under me. The 650 is a bit of a dog (being nice here) but if it gets my pal out on the road with me and we can do a couple camping trips this spring, good for him. I'll stick with standards and my little CBR.