Turkey was juicy and tender, mashed potatoes were thick and without lumps, stuffing was moist and perfectly spiced. ::017::
Now for the S10. Picked it up two days ago after getting what I believe was a good deal. Had thought that I would end up with a different bike once I began my search (which is always the best part of buying most things). I really liked the Ducati Multistrada as the engine power was absolutely intoxicating but its finickyness with shifting and reliability factor was less than appealing. I could see my drivers license suspended at best and painful death in a crash at worst with that bike. The dealer's inability to give me a fair value for my trade (HD Road King) was a deal breaker as well. The same dealer had the BMW GS and Triumph Tiger's both of which are imminently due for a refresh as I understand it ( a year for the BMW and less for Triumph). I think the aire of the dealership was what put me off the most. The BMW riders coming and going with their BMW ?rain "suits" on was odd. It does not rain here (out of rainy season) but once everyother month or so. I have a BMW X5 suv and that my father refers to it as a "BM" does not help. I am in the health field and BM can only mean bowel movement and my father knows that. He has a Bentley and cannot bring myself to say anything bad about it (or him)...
I purchased an FZ6 a few years ago from the local Yamaha dealer and had a very relaxed experience and wanted to check out an FJR which was leftover but brand new from 2009. It was next to the S10 and my mistake or good fortune was sitting on it. It just "fit". The pegs under my body, the bars reached out to my hands instead of the other way around and the "dashboard" being complete and entertaining. I had a visceral flashback to my long gone but not forgotten XR500R which my wife says she will bury a picture of with me.
The Yamaha was a 2012 and the Yamaha blue just pop'ed with the light blue metalic flake. I think the raven S10's integrate the black plastic much better and have the red stickers and monoshock spring going for them. In any case, I asked for a test ride and was accomodated due to my prior purchase.
The S10 had one (1) mile on it when I took it. I drove it home and my wife and kids liked it "as much as the red bike (Ducati)". I brought it back with 40 miles on it and was sold. The dealer took my HD and $1000 all inclusive. A good deal at the time and a "no brainer" in hindsite after riding it for 220 miles in the two days.
There were three things I did not like during my test ride. First and foremost was my left shin baking in the lava breeze. Coming from a Harley and being 6'4" my legs splay wide. It took me a second ride to realize that if I tucked my leg properly there was no issue. In Florida, any heat is bad so it was a concern initially. Secondly, when I changed the seat to the low position on the way back to the dealer, I kept crushing my jewels and shearing forward. Lastly, there was a stumble at 2500 rpm or so that reminded me of my XR1200 Harley which needed a muffler and PCV to cure the lean spot.
Then I realized the highlights. The gearbox was superbly fluid and positive. Finding neutral from second was easily done, something I never mastered on either of my last two rides. Besides a mildly Harleyesq clunk from neutral to first, that gearbox and clutch action (which is a significant span even for my XL hands) was without flaw otherwise.
The suspension was immediately notable for its plushness over road irregularities and the many possible adjustments were a bonus. I did not want to rev the engine over 4000 rpm's but it was faster and a tractable as my Road King with similar MPG from what I read (mid 40's). My FZ6 did not wake up til 5000 so I knew I was good with this engine being happy with what I felt up to 4000rpm.
The exhaust note was much quieter than my Road King. Down here the elderly blue hairs and mom bombs texting while they drive cut you off and back out in front of you like they were trying. Really. No Really. "Loud is Safe" is the motto and while I hate to hear those pipes riding and spectating, it does make us safer from a cage awareness perspective. I won't get into the noise pollution thing here. I have the Akrapovic muffler on my short list though its not much lounder than stock (yet).
Additionally, when I drove into my driveway the very first time, I stopped and backed up to turn around. While that might seem unnoteworthy, it is a hugh deal from a guy trying to do the same thing on a 900lb hog. Turning around/backing out of my garage is a pleasure with the S10 now everytime I ride.
Anyone else liken the sound from the radiator fan turning on at a stop to a distant fire engine hose company alarm going off? Maybe a UFO taking off in Space 1999?
The S10 has opened a new dimention to my driving locally. I now "see" and look for those dirt roads and grass trails. There are many orange and lemon tree groves with trails, horse stable dirt roads and cow farms to explore inland. Reminded me again of my XR500R days. Nothing as satisfying (on a motorcycle
) as sliding a bit sideways on a dirt road curve. I did this today but was frustrated with the traction control. See picture below. I really need to work on the suspension settings once things loosen up after break in.
I wanted a picture next to the ocean on the beach and went into the sand without turning the traction control off. Big mistake. I stalled the engine and almost got stuck in the soft sand. See picture below.
Anyone/everyone else ride with their highbeams on during the daytime? I like the dual lights but have not ridden at night yet. The blinkers are fine but I miss my self canceling turnsignals!!!
The brakes do their job and I appreciate (on the street) that the rear is also integrated electronically because I never use the rear brake. ABS is a bonus for me (on the street) as the pavement here is like black ice after a sun shower. Additionally sand sprinkled just right at the apex of a turn is another hazard both the ABS and TC should help with in southwest Florida.
The windscreen is useless for me and will order the 24" Parabellum from what I have read. I don't want nor will use the rear trunk bags but I need a place for my wallet, cellphone and garage door opener. Handlebar bag link anyone? Might try this one at Trek if the size, mounting and blue color is right. http://www.bontrager.com/model/07718
I have the Battlewing tires and can lean down nearly to the pegs (right side only so far) and they apparently wear well. They suck in the sand no suprise with or without TC. The grips are so narrow and hard from what I am used to so I ordered a grip puppy knock off from amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WJAH5M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3TGC5XRRCX4P2
After only 220 miles I like it better after every ride. Initially worried about the heat on the left, seat and engine stumble fading very fast. I simply see few faults with this S10 and none that a few bucks cannot correct.
Appreciate all of the previous posts here and realize that the new guys are "standing on your shoulders" but hope you will endeavor to persevere (Josey Wales) with any ignorant or redundant questions forthcomming.
Reguards,
Rob
Now for the S10. Picked it up two days ago after getting what I believe was a good deal. Had thought that I would end up with a different bike once I began my search (which is always the best part of buying most things). I really liked the Ducati Multistrada as the engine power was absolutely intoxicating but its finickyness with shifting and reliability factor was less than appealing. I could see my drivers license suspended at best and painful death in a crash at worst with that bike. The dealer's inability to give me a fair value for my trade (HD Road King) was a deal breaker as well. The same dealer had the BMW GS and Triumph Tiger's both of which are imminently due for a refresh as I understand it ( a year for the BMW and less for Triumph). I think the aire of the dealership was what put me off the most. The BMW riders coming and going with their BMW ?rain "suits" on was odd. It does not rain here (out of rainy season) but once everyother month or so. I have a BMW X5 suv and that my father refers to it as a "BM" does not help. I am in the health field and BM can only mean bowel movement and my father knows that. He has a Bentley and cannot bring myself to say anything bad about it (or him)...
I purchased an FZ6 a few years ago from the local Yamaha dealer and had a very relaxed experience and wanted to check out an FJR which was leftover but brand new from 2009. It was next to the S10 and my mistake or good fortune was sitting on it. It just "fit". The pegs under my body, the bars reached out to my hands instead of the other way around and the "dashboard" being complete and entertaining. I had a visceral flashback to my long gone but not forgotten XR500R which my wife says she will bury a picture of with me.
The Yamaha was a 2012 and the Yamaha blue just pop'ed with the light blue metalic flake. I think the raven S10's integrate the black plastic much better and have the red stickers and monoshock spring going for them. In any case, I asked for a test ride and was accomodated due to my prior purchase.
The S10 had one (1) mile on it when I took it. I drove it home and my wife and kids liked it "as much as the red bike (Ducati)". I brought it back with 40 miles on it and was sold. The dealer took my HD and $1000 all inclusive. A good deal at the time and a "no brainer" in hindsite after riding it for 220 miles in the two days.
There were three things I did not like during my test ride. First and foremost was my left shin baking in the lava breeze. Coming from a Harley and being 6'4" my legs splay wide. It took me a second ride to realize that if I tucked my leg properly there was no issue. In Florida, any heat is bad so it was a concern initially. Secondly, when I changed the seat to the low position on the way back to the dealer, I kept crushing my jewels and shearing forward. Lastly, there was a stumble at 2500 rpm or so that reminded me of my XR1200 Harley which needed a muffler and PCV to cure the lean spot.
Then I realized the highlights. The gearbox was superbly fluid and positive. Finding neutral from second was easily done, something I never mastered on either of my last two rides. Besides a mildly Harleyesq clunk from neutral to first, that gearbox and clutch action (which is a significant span even for my XL hands) was without flaw otherwise.
The suspension was immediately notable for its plushness over road irregularities and the many possible adjustments were a bonus. I did not want to rev the engine over 4000 rpm's but it was faster and a tractable as my Road King with similar MPG from what I read (mid 40's). My FZ6 did not wake up til 5000 so I knew I was good with this engine being happy with what I felt up to 4000rpm.
The exhaust note was much quieter than my Road King. Down here the elderly blue hairs and mom bombs texting while they drive cut you off and back out in front of you like they were trying. Really. No Really. "Loud is Safe" is the motto and while I hate to hear those pipes riding and spectating, it does make us safer from a cage awareness perspective. I won't get into the noise pollution thing here. I have the Akrapovic muffler on my short list though its not much lounder than stock (yet).
Additionally, when I drove into my driveway the very first time, I stopped and backed up to turn around. While that might seem unnoteworthy, it is a hugh deal from a guy trying to do the same thing on a 900lb hog. Turning around/backing out of my garage is a pleasure with the S10 now everytime I ride.
Anyone else liken the sound from the radiator fan turning on at a stop to a distant fire engine hose company alarm going off? Maybe a UFO taking off in Space 1999?
The S10 has opened a new dimention to my driving locally. I now "see" and look for those dirt roads and grass trails. There are many orange and lemon tree groves with trails, horse stable dirt roads and cow farms to explore inland. Reminded me again of my XR500R days. Nothing as satisfying (on a motorcycle
) as sliding a bit sideways on a dirt road curve. I did this today but was frustrated with the traction control. See picture below. I really need to work on the suspension settings once things loosen up after break in.I wanted a picture next to the ocean on the beach and went into the sand without turning the traction control off. Big mistake. I stalled the engine and almost got stuck in the soft sand. See picture below.
Anyone/everyone else ride with their highbeams on during the daytime? I like the dual lights but have not ridden at night yet. The blinkers are fine but I miss my self canceling turnsignals!!!
The brakes do their job and I appreciate (on the street) that the rear is also integrated electronically because I never use the rear brake. ABS is a bonus for me (on the street) as the pavement here is like black ice after a sun shower. Additionally sand sprinkled just right at the apex of a turn is another hazard both the ABS and TC should help with in southwest Florida.
The windscreen is useless for me and will order the 24" Parabellum from what I have read. I don't want nor will use the rear trunk bags but I need a place for my wallet, cellphone and garage door opener. Handlebar bag link anyone? Might try this one at Trek if the size, mounting and blue color is right. http://www.bontrager.com/model/07718
I have the Battlewing tires and can lean down nearly to the pegs (right side only so far) and they apparently wear well. They suck in the sand no suprise with or without TC. The grips are so narrow and hard from what I am used to so I ordered a grip puppy knock off from amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WJAH5M/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3TGC5XRRCX4P2
After only 220 miles I like it better after every ride. Initially worried about the heat on the left, seat and engine stumble fading very fast. I simply see few faults with this S10 and none that a few bucks cannot correct.
Appreciate all of the previous posts here and realize that the new guys are "standing on your shoulders" but hope you will endeavor to persevere (Josey Wales) with any ignorant or redundant questions forthcomming.
Reguards,
Rob
