Rob's New, New Ride

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Deleted User 287

Rob's New, New Ride

Post by Deleted User 287 »

After 5 days of Big Ruckus ownership, and gathering frustration at a simple task like changing the oil in the final drive gearbox (everything is so tiny and complicated - you have to rotate the rear wheel to pump out the old oil, and to install the new!), and being somewhat afraid of those small wheels on the interstate (my commute is 15 miles one way with a little surface street at each end), and feeling a little ridiculous with the riding posture, and missing my clutch and shift lever, I rode it to the nearest Honda dealer last Saturday to see what could be done about the situation.

I knew what I wanted (could afford and reach the ground), and the salesman and shop owner were happy to make the deal work.

So here it is, a real picture in my driveway, shortly after arriving home:

Image

Lousy lighting, but oh well. More to come, I am sure.

It goes down the road just fine. I am trying to take it easy for break-in purposes. Yes Dougie, the chain does take some getting used to! I see you were on the CBR250R forum for a while this summer! I really like your V-twin, but this will do me fine for the time being! :mrgreen:

It only has a 3.43 U.S. gallon fuel capacity, and no petcock to switch over when you feel it stumbling. :(
This morning on the way home from work (58 F!) I noticed the fuel gauge indicator was on it's last mark! I panicked, having not read the manual all that well. Apparently it is not on "reserve" until that last mark begins flashing (it wasn't), at which point you have 1.4 liters of fuel remaining. That gives about 20 miles or so to find gas.
I filled up at 144 miles indicated on the digital trip meter, and it only took 2.3 gallons. I got 62.5 MPG!
A lot of people brag on near 70 MPG.

I know it will go 70 MPH easily enough, but as I said, I've been trying to be good for break-in. That, and last weekend the Moto GP was in town, and on my way to church & back on Sunday, it appeared the LEOs were having a zero-tolerance policy on speeding.

So I am really back on two wheels now, and I must say it feels good.
I can't wait to take another riding course, though. But I hate to "waste" the money on one immediately with the season coming to an end. It has been almost 18 months since my last ride of significance. "I'm scared shitless!"

The ergonomics are very close to the R65, but I feel some stress in my shoulders/neck.
My Butt Buffer makes a BIG difference! The seat on the CBR is a bit thin and hard, and I wondered if I was going to make it through an hour of church. Luckily it is a new building with nice new pews with nice comfy cushions all around!
The Butt Buffer is nearly new, as it made NO difference on my old, beat down seat on the R65.

Top speed for this is just shy of the ton. Image Quite a bit different than the Big Ruckus, and quite a bit safer, too, I would imagine. The size, height and brightness of the taillight makes me feel a lot safer (I know, ZM...) than the one on the BR.
And while the two big bug-eye headlights on the Ruckus were nothing to sneer at, the light on the CBR is wonderful! Puts the R65 to shame.

I'm having fun. And I now own a Honda motorcycle, car and lawnmower! :ugeek:
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dougie
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Location: Burlington Ontario, Canada

Re: Rob's New, New Ride

Post by dougie »

I took one out on a Honda ride day. They handle very very well.
I've spent most of my money on women, motorcycles, and beer.
The rest of it I just wasted.
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Zombie Master
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Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:21 am
Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada

Re: Rob's New, New Ride

Post by Zombie Master »

Now we're riding!!!!!!! Pick up some of those protectors that look like hockey pucks for the faring.

Congratz!
Any and all disclaimers may apply
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enigmaT120
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Location: Falls City, OR

Re: Rob's New, New Ride

Post by enigmaT120 »

How tall are you Rob? A fellow OVM member told me he loves his Ninja 250 (are they similar in size?) but he is several inches shorter than me. I've never had an opportunity to sit on one.
Ed Miller
'81 R65
'70 Bonneville
Falls City, OR

"Gasoline makes people stupid." -- Chuey
"I'll believe corporations are people when the State of Texas executes one." Bumper sticker
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Airbear
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Location: Oz, lower right hand side, in a bit, just over the lumpy part.

Re: Rob's New, New Ride

Post by Airbear »

Crikey, a 250 crotch rocket. Looks like a lot of fun. Better get out there and enjoy the rest of the riding season, Rob.
Charlie
and Brunhilde - 1974 R90/6
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Graduate, Wallace and Gromit School of Engineering and Design (Pending)
Deleted User 287

Re: Rob's New, New Ride

Post by Deleted User 287 »

I am 5' 10" (ish). 30" inseam. The R65 was my limit. A GS? Forget it, unless there is a sidecar attached...

Charlie - I'm already looking into another week off in Sept. :D
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Airbear
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Location: Oz, lower right hand side, in a bit, just over the lumpy part.

Re: Rob's New, New Ride

Post by Airbear »

justoneoftheguys wrote:
Charlie - I'm already looking into another week off in Sept. :D
Go west, young man. Or north or south or east. A nice run to check out the new bike.
Test the limits, see the sights. Grin a lot.
Charlie
and Brunhilde - 1974 R90/6
Image

Graduate, Wallace and Gromit School of Engineering and Design (Pending)
Major Softie
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Re: Rob's New, New Ride

Post by Major Softie »

justoneoftheguys wrote:I am 5' 10" (ish). 30" inseam. The R65 was my limit. A GS? Forget it, unless there is a sidecar attached...

Charlie - I'm already looking into another week off in Sept. :D
Nothing wrong with the Honda - it is what it is: a very lightweight low-power sportbike. Very fun in the "riding a slow bike fast" category. Nice economical commuter as well.


As far as seat height though, you need to set your bar a bit higher. My /2 was, of course, very comfortable, I usually keep the seat on my R1100RS on the highest setting, and, although I find Paris-Dakars to be way too tall for me, the low-suspension GS is fine, and even a standard GS is okay as long as I don't have a passenger.

Signed,
5'-7", 28" inseam: Major Softie
MS - out
Deleted User 287

Re: Rob's New, New Ride

Post by Deleted User 287 »

Major Softie wrote: As far as seat height though, you need to set your bar a bit higher. My /2 was, of course, very comfortable, I usually keep the seat on my R1100RS on the highest setting, and, although I find Paris-Dakars to be way too tall for me, the low-suspension GS is fine, and even a standard GS is okay as long as I don't have a passenger.

Signed,
5'-7", 28" inseam: Major Softie
OK, fine - I will trade you my new CBR250R for your /2. :roll:

:lol:

But it has to be an Earles-fork model, none of that US-fork crap for me!

We can make the trade on my way up to the place where they keep the zombies. I'll bring my flute so I can join you in a jam session. It only needs the pads to be replaced - I can get a cruise control for my bike so I will have all of my facilities for rebuilding the flute while motoring down the road. You will be really impressed by my musical talents! I SHOULD BE ON TEEEEEVEEEEE!WHEEEEE!

I think my friend ambian is trying to say its time for unconsciousness.........God I love spell checkre!
Major Softie
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Re: Rob's New, New Ride

Post by Major Softie »

You seem to have missed the "past tense" on the /2.
MS - out
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