It’s been a good 3500 miles with the GZ250, but I’ve been itching for more power and better cornering potential. Also, I somehow spent $1000 in maintenance in 10 months for a “beginner” bike. So, I sold my GZ250 to buy this crazy motorcycle. I always wanted a high-revving inline-3 engine, and this bike was a good deal.
What a difference it is! I went from being slower than 99% of cars on the road to faster than 99% of cars on the road. That and the difference in ergonomics make it feel like my first time riding again because I feel like a noob again.
It pulls so crazy hard in lower gears that I don’t think I’ve ever gave it full throttle below 4th gear, and it sounds amazing doing so. And whenever I take a corner, I consistently underestimate just how much I can lean, so I go almost unsatisfyingly slow, and the bike seems to say, “c’mon, chicken. Believe in me. You could’ve gone way faster than that.” I hope to do a track day to remedy this mismatch between me and my motorcycle.
I bought a 2010 brand new in 2010. Traded it in 2019 and have regretted that ever since. I’ve got a new 2020 now, and it’s just not the same.
Missing one piston but those headlights are nice.
The headlights are a weird point of controversy. I personally don’t have much of an opinion on them, I just like high revving triples. More unique with a wider powerband than an inline-4.
Motodemic makes a headlight conversion kit for them that allows you to relocate your instrument cluster, and put in a single 7" round headlight. You can even get the JB Speaker adaptive headlight if you do a lot of night riding. That’s def. on my list of things to get once i finish parting out my '12 CBR600RR.
Congratulations! I got to test ride one of those when I bought my Speed Twin and loved it. Awesome choice and definitely not something you’ll be bored with anytime soon, if ever. And don’t worry about the mismatch or feeling like you’re not using its full potential. In time you’ll become more comfortable at your own pace and you two will become one (hopefully in the good way LOL).
Beautiful bike. I’ve got a '14 STR in white and red and I love it. I don’t think I’ll ever sell it.
I know I’m replying to my own post here, but I found a discrepancy in the user manual. Should I fuel it with 87 or 89 AKI gas?
