12-03-2016, 11:11 AM
Got this thing out and wound it up.
Man, when you figure out how to maintain momentum this bike hauls. Cornering speeds are stupid fast. Going 10 mph on average faster through tight sections than I would be on the CB1100, with probably the same lean angle.
Brakes and engine are breaking in nicely, I can feel more power in both. Revs easily to redline (9500 rpm) and the front brake can lift the rear tire anytime. Not too much initial bike, but big stopping power overall. That's just what we want in this kind of bike.
Forks seemed very sloppy but actually now I am used to the bike they are fine. The low power and weight does not create excessive pitching Shocks need more damping, not a lot, springs are actually pretty good. Might see if Racetech can revalve them, or just flat-out replace them with a custom set from Works along with new fork springs and oil.
Bike actually handles brilliantly, it rails in the tight turns. I am waiting to hit the peg down, they don't fold so I'm keep toes out just a bit. Rubber hits first, no peg feelers as such. This thing would just be stupid quick with higher pegs. Stock tires have endless grip, the bike is very light at 266 wet.
Steering is utterly neutral, on/off the front brakes. It loves being trailbraked into a turn, like the CB1100 there is zero tendency for the bike to stand up. The forks give very good feedback during this maneuver, surprisingly. No real flex.
So then I decided to take it on the freeway at about 3:30 this afternoon, plenty of traffic but it was moving. Rode about five miles, it zips right along but 65 mph is about it. It gets up there pretty quick, merging was no issue. You just don't play games, it has adequate power but fooling about is off the table. Very stable at 60 mph, no tendency to head shake or become wobbly. The 18" wheel does its job and there is plenty of rake and trail.
This bike is the ultimate training bike for road riding. Kenny Roberts uses XR100 dirt bikes at his ranch; this 150 is ideal for teaching smoothness of control inputs and keeping the engine on the boil to maintain momentum. You have to be very subtle with input, it turns like a bicycle, almost. Once you start to figure that out, a very quick pace is established. I had no problem at all keeping up with automobiles in the canyons where it was tight (30-50 mph).
A 30-mile ride on this bike feels like a 100-mile ride on the CB1100 but is much more fun. Honestly.
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sak0otCZGqo]Kenny and KR Jr on the XR100s. Yep, these are 100cc bikes. This is what it's all about, motorcycle skills at their best and basic.
Buying the Wolf Classis is the most important motorcycle purchase I've ever made. I am going to begin downsizing across the board, one machine at a time.
Man, when you figure out how to maintain momentum this bike hauls. Cornering speeds are stupid fast. Going 10 mph on average faster through tight sections than I would be on the CB1100, with probably the same lean angle.
Brakes and engine are breaking in nicely, I can feel more power in both. Revs easily to redline (9500 rpm) and the front brake can lift the rear tire anytime. Not too much initial bike, but big stopping power overall. That's just what we want in this kind of bike.
Forks seemed very sloppy but actually now I am used to the bike they are fine. The low power and weight does not create excessive pitching Shocks need more damping, not a lot, springs are actually pretty good. Might see if Racetech can revalve them, or just flat-out replace them with a custom set from Works along with new fork springs and oil.
Bike actually handles brilliantly, it rails in the tight turns. I am waiting to hit the peg down, they don't fold so I'm keep toes out just a bit. Rubber hits first, no peg feelers as such. This thing would just be stupid quick with higher pegs. Stock tires have endless grip, the bike is very light at 266 wet.
Steering is utterly neutral, on/off the front brakes. It loves being trailbraked into a turn, like the CB1100 there is zero tendency for the bike to stand up. The forks give very good feedback during this maneuver, surprisingly. No real flex.
So then I decided to take it on the freeway at about 3:30 this afternoon, plenty of traffic but it was moving. Rode about five miles, it zips right along but 65 mph is about it. It gets up there pretty quick, merging was no issue. You just don't play games, it has adequate power but fooling about is off the table. Very stable at 60 mph, no tendency to head shake or become wobbly. The 18" wheel does its job and there is plenty of rake and trail.
This bike is the ultimate training bike for road riding. Kenny Roberts uses XR100 dirt bikes at his ranch; this 150 is ideal for teaching smoothness of control inputs and keeping the engine on the boil to maintain momentum. You have to be very subtle with input, it turns like a bicycle, almost. Once you start to figure that out, a very quick pace is established. I had no problem at all keeping up with automobiles in the canyons where it was tight (30-50 mph).
A 30-mile ride on this bike feels like a 100-mile ride on the CB1100 but is much more fun. Honestly.
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sak0otCZGqo]Kenny and KR Jr on the XR100s. Yep, these are 100cc bikes. This is what it's all about, motorcycle skills at their best and basic.
Buying the Wolf Classis is the most important motorcycle purchase I've ever made. I am going to begin downsizing across the board, one machine at a time.