[toby]

Only flaw I see was the position of the horn...just ugly.

Agreed. but I have that ugly canister on the other side so at least I have matching ugly. lol.
And that lag in the drive train that canyon1 spoke of I have heard other newbees to this bike say the same thing.
But even though this is a cruiser I have found that you can not treat it like a big boat type cruiser because it wants to get up and go right now. It demands a little more aggressive rider than most cruisers. So the lag isn't so much in the mechanics of the bike as it is in the lag of the operator to twist that throttle and slip the clutch and get er done. In fact my first time on this bike I went around the parking lot at the dealers and when I stop I said "man this bike is tight and has instant response and has no lag at all.

 

[toby]

If we are talking aesthetics, the swing arms are a punch in the eye. Seriously, it's like they got in a hurry the closer they got to the back of the bike. Whoever suggested the 2X4 look should be moved out of design.

Now that you got me looking at it i still haven't removed that ugly sticker on the left side swing arm but they hid the right side withe the big ugly pipes..
But anyway could you post some pics of some bikes with better looking swing arms? And now that we are picking on our bikes what about the lollypops and those big mirrors. The funny thing is when your riding you don't really see any of those things.

 

[toby]

Gee is this bitching Thursday? Not just Thursday, it's that :'( :-\ :-[ ??? biker PMS part of the season.

 

[toby]

Lag? We don't have no stinking lag!

Lag was my biggest complaint on this bike, A new exhaust and autopro tuner took care of the lag. It is non existent now. The appearance issues like mirrors and such are just taste so I can't count any of that stuff. I think Yamaha hit, if not a homerun over the fence at least an inside the parker. Sorry for the baseball reference, it's that time of year. Lets play two...

Ya Bozzly, when you think about it we ALL fell in love at first sight and saw nothing wrong with it then and our first ride was like getting a virgin because this bike is literally a virgin to the motorcycle world, But like any good relationship as time goes on you notice ways you can make it better.

 

[toby]

I've started out in 2nd one time. One contrary to what the reviews say it's not that smooth. Also I've never felt a clunk in 1st and wonder exactly what you guys are feeling? Is it when it engages all the way? And at what speed are you at when the clutch is all the way engaged? And am I the only one that has not felt this?

 

[toby]

I've started out in 2nd one time. One contrary to what the reviews say it's not that smooth. Also I've never felt a clunk in 1st and wonder exactly what you guys are feeling? Is it when it engages all the way? And at what speed are you at when the clutch is all the way engaged? And am I the only one that has not felt this?

toby i think they are talking about a clunk type feeling when you downshift to first when slowing to a stop. Mine seems to do this every now and then...not a big deal to me. Lets me know im definitely in first

You know the break discs are designed to shift and they make a clunk most noticeable on the front. Wonder if that's being mistaken for gear clunk? You can actually feel it and hear it when rolling the bike back and forth ana aplying the front break?

 

[toby]

Mine clunks very hard when shifting into first, whether from neutral or from second, Moving or stopped. Its a very hard clunk. Kind of shakes the bike a little. People I ride with can hear it from their bikes while next to me....even over V&H Pipes. with the clunk, Its true, you definatly know when your shift into first.

Yes that's normal with all bikes, some more than others like Harleys but you can't hear it because, well you know the answer to that. :

 

[toby]

I can't get mine on the centerstand

I think you have to put in revers. I tried but I couldn't find revers? :-[

 

[toby]

I thought the light was pretty bright myself but coming from riding the old Virago anything looks bright. We also live where there is no lighting of any kind and when the moon or stars aren't out it is dark. We are considering adding extra lights because at our age night sight isn't that great anymore.

 

[toby]

Has anyone checked how well the steering head and swing arm bearing are greased? Yamaha is notorious for leaving them dry on their other bikes.

This is a good point. My old Virago has slop and sticky spots in the steering because of worn bearings.

 

[toby]

Went out today and it is still is hard to keep the darn thing under 80 mph gees. And it just wont hit 80 in 2nd gear gees.