First Ride

 

Friday, 2-20-2004: I was going to until the weekend to break the bike in, but it was (relatively) warm, at about 45°, when I headed out to work today. I took the car to get gas, took some pictures of the Ninja, and headed in.

Virgin pipe Virgin Odometer Lights, please
 

Within eight miles my wrists were hurting; I think the clip-ons will help, as it was a bar-angle problem. I only stalled it twice, fortunately nobody was looking. It's definitely a keeper. Here's what I think after 25 miles.

What I expected:

  • It's very light.
  • It's very small.
  • The seat slopes you down onto the gas tank
  • The 9 had better wind protection.
  • The 4,000 rpm break-in restriction limits you to 47 mph!

What I didn't expect:

  • I had forgotten what a new bike smells like.
  • I don't think I'll miss the power of the 9.
  • The brakes didn't surprise me. (But I'm still bedding them in.)
  • How quickly it transitions from side to side.