Fast Eddie
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- Joined
- Oct 4, 2013
- Messages
- 20,693
It's a really very good bike IMHO.
I very nearly bought a new 961, but was put off by the possible issues and hassle.
I thought I'd buy a new Thruxton Bonnie, but found it really rather dull when I rode one. Very capable, just lacking 'character' for me.
I looked at new Ducati Monsters, but they are just too modern, they're a modern sports bike sans fairing to my eye, with plumbing detritus everywhere.
So I think I made the right choice with this. The R9 seemed to me to be the modern bike with the most character. It's still plenty fast enough though. I like the fact it is air cooled, has no 'rider modes' etc.
As standard, the suspension was a bit poor and the riding position, which I initially liked, I grew to dislike. It put my shoulder in a position that aggravated an old injury. I tried bar risers, but then it started to become something I didn't like, like it was trying to be a GS or something!
Mine now has clip ons and rear sets, Ohlins rear shock and K-Tech forks and is quite a transformed riding experience. It's a really fun bike to ride. It surprised me just how much difference the riding position made to how the bike feels.
Along with an utterly uneccessary and extravagant amount of carbon fibre I fitted, I also fitted a Moto Scope speedo / tacho. This is brilliant and really makes the stock set up that it replaced look quite clumsy in comparison.
My next job on it is to remove the airbox and fit K&N filters then get it re mapped. It's a big and relatively old school twin at the end of the day and is set up quite lean to meet emissions requirements. Re mapping is supposed to make a big difference by all accounts.
I am considering getting the tank polished, not sure about that yet. The brushed finish looks good and is 'maintenance free' but a polished tank would really set it off. Still pondering that one...