JIF@PSUVM.BITNET (02/10/85)
Any salesman who tells you that a stock 550 V-twin will do a quarter mile in
under 12 seconds is dreaming. I have a 700 (Nighthawk-S) that can't do better
than a 12.0@110 (Cycle world test I think). But if you're using the bike to
commute, why bother with quarter mile times? Go for the bike that feels right!
If I were you, I'd look real close at the 700 Sabre.
Jim Foster
701 Southgate Dr.
State College, Pa. 16801
(814)-238-5491
BITNET: :allegra, akgue, ihnp4:!psuvax!jif@psuvm.bitnet
JIF@PSUVMchip@vaxwaller.UUCP (Chip Kozy) (02/15/85)
Where, oh where has my little line gone?
" Go for the bike that feels right!"
I have to agree with Jim. My wife and I share a Suzuki 450L
and we love it. It's been used for commute as well as longer (200-
300 miles) rides. The bike is fine for us since we are both relatively
short legged, and gives us good gas milage (about 60 in town and 70-75
on the freeway). We aren't concerned with being first out of the hole
(in fact the bike is pretty flat until about 4000RPM), but it does a
decent job for us. It is comfortable, and neither she nor I have felt
any discomfort on the long rides (except for the "wonderous hand killers"
that Suzuki calls hand grips).
The bike can also carry about 400 lbs (check the GVWR and subtract
the bikes wet weight to see how much you can carry) which is good for
overnighters, etc.
Again, this is the bike for my wife and I, but it isn't for
everyone. Check out your needs, and THEN look for the bike. Don't
find a bike and try to adjust your needs to it. You'll only find
yourself trading or up-grading in relatively short order.
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Kind of orphaned response here.
There was a question concerning helmets a while back, and, things
being what they are, I don't remember who or when or what...
Anyway, I have a Marushin helmet (full face, with shield, Snell
'80 approved), and it doesn't seal completely. I like this for a couple
of reasons:
1. On cold mornings the amount of air that is allowed in helps
greately with keeping the shield from fogging up.
2. In the summer, the air allowed in keeps the helmet from becoming
unbearably hot.
3. Both instances are accomplished with the shield in the full
down position (it has ratchet-type stops), affording full
face protection in the meantime.
The shield is controllable with one hand (VERY helpful).
Oh well, time to justify my existance. Keep the shiney side up.
Happiness
Chip
--
Chip Kozy (415) 939-2400 x-2048
Varian Inst. Grp. 2700 Mitchell Dr.
Walnut Creek, Calif. 94598
{zehntel,amd,fortune,resonex,rtech}!varian!chip