Posts: 12,677
Threads: 77
Likes Received: 3 in 3 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2014
(01-31-2022, 10:10 AM)bioman_imp Wrote: (01-30-2022, 06:47 PM)hondadownunder_imp Wrote: As a new owner (3 weeks !!) My initial impressions ( past bikes have been old brits and a series of big Suzukis including a Katana and various GS/X's and a VF1000).
Seat is not too bad even my BMW Dakar starts to lose it's appeal after a couple of hours. Main issue is the hump is a couple of inches too far forward. Certainly going to change at some point but not urgent.
I find the forks fine but ye gods, the back is rock hard and shoves my lower spine through my collarbone on the goat track roads around here. Again, quick trip to my local suspension man should sort that.
I have dodgy knees and have no issues there, certainly way better than the VF.
Did 400km last weekend with wife on back and had an absolute blast. Engine is a peach, way better in traffic than the Dakar and really is like a big old slobbery dog.
Apart from the shocks immediate issues are - sort some luggage for it, oil cooler guard and (if anyone knows if they are available ?) a set of fork gaitors to protect the stanchions. Also, maybe some engine guards.
Certainly up to now it's everything I could have wished for.
Oil cooler guards are easy to find on E-bay (cheap) and from other more reputable sellers (expensive) like Samurider and Webike.
I have SW-MOTECH Crash Bars on my bike. Not too pricey and they seem to be sturdy. Of course I have no clue about their effectiveness until I drop the bike or crash - and that event will hopefully never happen.
Fork gaiters: lots of options too - ranging from generic Ebay versions, made from chewing gum, up to fancy Triumph or BMW branded gaiters that are most likely better but also much more expensive. After looking everywhere and after some discussions on this forum (do a search), I decided to go for the Kawasaki option (OEM Part 49006-1335). They fit and look great, and supposedly last forever.
(+1) on the Kawasaki gaiters. Worth every cent. Bake in the sunshine everyday.
No maintenance.
Posts: 20
Threads: 4
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2021
Cool, I'll look at the Kawasaki gaitors.
Posts: 12,677
Threads: 77
Likes Received: 3 in 3 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2014
(01-31-2022, 02:34 PM)hondadownunder_imp Wrote: Cool, I'll look at the Kawasaki gaitors.
As with many gaiters, try and avoid "polishing" with surface treatments to make them look shiny 'n' black. Many treatments change the surface chemistry of the rubber or whatever plastic composition. When regularly exposed to UV light (e.g. from the sun), it could destroy the gaiter over time.
The better gaiters tend to be made of rubber.
Posts: 20
Threads: 4
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2021
The UV in New Zealand s a killer for rubber. being black doesn't help either. Just need to stop stanchions getting damaged. Especially at moment, it's the - lets resurface with the cheapest crappiest method we can find season at the moment. Came home from work today and they'd done road earlier on (was fine yesterday !) Fortunately on the Beemer but tyres covered in tar and chippings and crap rattling around underneath. AAAARGHHH !!!!
Posts: 1,342
Threads: 33
Likes Received: 137 in 48 posts
Likes Given: 68
Joined: Apr 2025
Fork gaiters look great and add a little touch I think. You just need to drop the forks out to fit them, as a temporary measure a few owners have used fork protectors which can be fitted in minutes. Not as full coverage as the gaiters but they do something.
Posts: 12,677
Threads: 77
Likes Received: 3 in 3 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2014
(02-01-2022, 03:44 PM)hondadownunder_imp Wrote: The UV in New Zealand s a killer for rubber. being black doesn't help either. Just need to stop stanchions getting damaged. Especially at moment, it's the - lets resurface with the cheapest crappiest method we can find season at the moment. Came home from work today and they'd done road earlier on (was fine yesterday !) Fortunately on the Beemer but tyres covered in tar and chippings and crap rattling around underneath. AAAARGHHH !!!!
Understood. But the non-real rubber offerings longevity are dismal. Real rubber-based offerings seem to last quite a long time (I have read some arguing "forever"), but they do cost more.
