October 10, 2005
One of these..
One of these bikes is in my future.
I had the opportunity to ride the 2003 model the other day while test riding other bikes. I had ridden the ST2, and the Triumph Speed Triple the same day. I just didn't like the inherently-unbalanced motor of the ST2. Tons of torque but I found the vibration too distressing. Perhaps because I've always associated that vibration with a motor about to blow up (I've had a few of those in five years of racing).
But taking the 749 out was just a joy. I didn't find the riding position terribly onerous - though I will probably have to take up yoga soon if I buy one. My only real knocks on the bike were: the mirrors are crap, just need to be thrown away. Couldn't see anything behind me at all other than my elbows. The seat was hardly padded (as one might expect in a race replica) but I found the "heater" built into it a real surprise. Basically, the bikes exhaust curls up under the seat, shedding waste heat into the seat pan and your left calf.
I could easily see putting a heat wrap on the exhaust and maybe some shielding under the seat (though a thicker Sargent seat would probably do a great job as well).
The 748 (it's immediate predecessor which I'm also considering) had some issues with the rocker arms flaking off their coating but the motor seems to have an otherwise enviable reputation for reliability.
Of course, I'll have to learn to adjust the valves myself. No way I'm going to pay the more than $600 fee for the standard service when there is nothing in there I cannot do myself. Apparently there are videos available on how to do this.. so I'll probably have to buy a bunch of shims. Would be nice to walk through it once with a professional mechanic. Hmmm.. wonder if I can bribe the local shop mechanic to spend a few hours with me after hours to do it?
Posted by artandscience at October 10, 2005 06:52 AM