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jsb223
0
I bought an AT because I wanted one. No other reason. It is a good looking bike and the initial reviews did not expose any
major flaws.
So almost a year after they arrived stateside I found the one I wanted at a
dealership 4 states over.
I had the factory center stand and 12 volt accessory outlet installed by the dealer.
After a lengthy bus trip to the dealer I had to repack my gear to get it to
fit in a large bag that I secured to the back on the bike for the 3 day trip home.
First leg… dealership to the motel.
A squall of high winds and rain had welcomed me to the local bus terminal
and it was apparent that my first ride on the AT was going to be a wet one.
While at the dealership however, the storms dissipated and although
there was a light rain, it was nothing like the downpour earlier and I
made it to the motel without issue.
First thing I noticed was how sensitive the throttle was and was glad the
bike had traction control. My ZRX1100 had a twitchy throttle but it’s
been years since I sold that one. It’s just something I have to get
used to all over again.
The second thing I noticed was how easily the engine lugged and silly
me thought it was just the high gearing.
Day 1
I got started early but eventually get caught up in the central Florida
corridor traffic along Hwy 27.
Right away I noticed how smooth the bike shifted. The controls worked
well, the clutch was smooth. About an hour into the ride I noticed I
was hunting for a comfortable spot on the seat. This would be a
reoccurring issue.
North of Ocala I finally got to open up the bike a bit and could tell
there would be plenty of power if I needed it.
Along HWY 98 hugging the coast.
At a boat ramp In the Florida Panhandle
After 384 miles for the day I made it to the motel in Panama City.
Day 2
Once again I got an early start. My plan was to hug the coastline all
the way to Mobile thus taking the scenic route. The route was far from
my idea of the definition of scenic with only a few spots where you
could actually see anything. With speed varying from 25 to 35 to 45
and back again it is NOT a route to take if you are trying to make miles
Although there were a few cutbacks to the main highway, I endured
scenic route all the way to the end.
A boat ramp off of Hwy 98
After the bridge coming out of Pensacola.
Once I cleared Mobile and got to the Mississippi state line things opened
up a bit and I could run the bike through its rpm range now that I was
out of that 600 mile break in window.
The lugging that I experienced earlier was gone but I realized 6th gear
is almost an overdrive. 60mph in 6th gear roll-ons are less than
impressive but 70 mph in 6th gear roll-ons however are quite enjoyable.
341 miles for the day plus a couple of side trips.
Day 3
Early start and my plan was to burn though Mississippi and Louisiana
and get to Texas as soon as I could. The forecast was for hot and
humid conditions the entire way and I need to get as many miles
under my belt before the heat got too oppressive.
I stopped for a break at Toledo Bend the lake which forms the state
line between Louisiana and Texas to put on my cooling vest which I
had packed at the last minute. I would need 3 more stops to rehydrate
the vest before I made it home.
Long day 485 miles.
Once I got to the house I softened up the suspension a bit and it
works better for me now. Plus I’m not carrying 35-40lbs of gear on
the passenger seat either.
Overview,
On my first ride after getting home I decided to do a flogging MPG run
to see how the mileage was going to be. Jack rabbit starts and stops,
with WFO runs up to the speed limit of course and I returned 50mpg
over 140 miles. Not bad considering and if I were touring or cruising depending upon load and speed I would expect near that and that
fine with me.
The AT engine is smooth beyond any measure that I was expecting.
At 70mph in 6th and 80mph in 6th it just slightly hums along. No buzzing
in the pegs or the bars. Speedo is 3mph over at 80 according to my GPS.
For me, the seat was not as good as the reviews claimed and the
stock windscreen did not work very well for my 5’ 10” frame donning
a street helmet.
The display was bright and I never had any trouble reading it no
matter how bright the sun was.
The peg clearance on the RH side of the bike is something that
I’m going to have to deal with until I can swing a peg mod of some sort.
major flaws.
So almost a year after they arrived stateside I found the one I wanted at a
dealership 4 states over.
I had the factory center stand and 12 volt accessory outlet installed by the dealer.
After a lengthy bus trip to the dealer I had to repack my gear to get it to
fit in a large bag that I secured to the back on the bike for the 3 day trip home.
First leg… dealership to the motel.
A squall of high winds and rain had welcomed me to the local bus terminal
and it was apparent that my first ride on the AT was going to be a wet one.
While at the dealership however, the storms dissipated and although
there was a light rain, it was nothing like the downpour earlier and I
made it to the motel without issue.
First thing I noticed was how sensitive the throttle was and was glad the
bike had traction control. My ZRX1100 had a twitchy throttle but it’s
been years since I sold that one. It’s just something I have to get
used to all over again.
The second thing I noticed was how easily the engine lugged and silly
me thought it was just the high gearing.
Day 1
I got started early but eventually get caught up in the central Florida
corridor traffic along Hwy 27.
Right away I noticed how smooth the bike shifted. The controls worked
well, the clutch was smooth. About an hour into the ride I noticed I
was hunting for a comfortable spot on the seat. This would be a
reoccurring issue.
North of Ocala I finally got to open up the bike a bit and could tell
there would be plenty of power if I needed it.
Along HWY 98 hugging the coast.
At a boat ramp In the Florida Panhandle
After 384 miles for the day I made it to the motel in Panama City.
Day 2
Once again I got an early start. My plan was to hug the coastline all
the way to Mobile thus taking the scenic route. The route was far from
my idea of the definition of scenic with only a few spots where you
could actually see anything. With speed varying from 25 to 35 to 45
and back again it is NOT a route to take if you are trying to make miles
Although there were a few cutbacks to the main highway, I endured
scenic route all the way to the end.
A boat ramp off of Hwy 98
After the bridge coming out of Pensacola.
Once I cleared Mobile and got to the Mississippi state line things opened
up a bit and I could run the bike through its rpm range now that I was
out of that 600 mile break in window.
The lugging that I experienced earlier was gone but I realized 6th gear
is almost an overdrive. 60mph in 6th gear roll-ons are less than
impressive but 70 mph in 6th gear roll-ons however are quite enjoyable.
341 miles for the day plus a couple of side trips.
Day 3
Early start and my plan was to burn though Mississippi and Louisiana
and get to Texas as soon as I could. The forecast was for hot and
humid conditions the entire way and I need to get as many miles
under my belt before the heat got too oppressive.
I stopped for a break at Toledo Bend the lake which forms the state
line between Louisiana and Texas to put on my cooling vest which I
had packed at the last minute. I would need 3 more stops to rehydrate
the vest before I made it home.
Long day 485 miles.
Once I got to the house I softened up the suspension a bit and it
works better for me now. Plus I’m not carrying 35-40lbs of gear on
the passenger seat either.
Overview,
On my first ride after getting home I decided to do a flogging MPG run
to see how the mileage was going to be. Jack rabbit starts and stops,
with WFO runs up to the speed limit of course and I returned 50mpg
over 140 miles. Not bad considering and if I were touring or cruising depending upon load and speed I would expect near that and that
fine with me.
The AT engine is smooth beyond any measure that I was expecting.
At 70mph in 6th and 80mph in 6th it just slightly hums along. No buzzing
in the pegs or the bars. Speedo is 3mph over at 80 according to my GPS.
For me, the seat was not as good as the reviews claimed and the
stock windscreen did not work very well for my 5’ 10” frame donning
a street helmet.
The display was bright and I never had any trouble reading it no
matter how bright the sun was.
The peg clearance on the RH side of the bike is something that
I’m going to have to deal with until I can swing a peg mod of some sort.
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