WEATHER FRUSTRATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!

[AdrianR]

God do I phucking hate living around here!!!!!

Haven't had my bike out in weeks...did more riding in February then in March...and now this first week starting with today is nothing but cold, rain and snow...wtf??

I just don't know how anyone could live any further north then Illinois...

[TallRider]

Thats why I moved out of SW Chicago area 16 yrs ago (Joliet) My Back yard 365 days a year. Never changes.

[TallRider]

Guess it didn't work got it this time. By the way if you like the veiw the house is for sale 3 br, 3 bath, 3 car garage on spreader direct access to fishing the Trapon capital of the world Boca Grand Pass about an hr ride from my back door. Not listed with realtor yet got wiggle room on price.

[Kidd]

And if the humidity is too much for ya in Florida  , there's always the sunny south west

[AdrianR]

PHUCK IT...went for a ride anyway...

Now my bike is dirty!   Hit some rain...oh well...

Bike just keeps getting faster...wow...getting ready to break 4K....  Really goes good in the cool air...Takes a good like 15 minutes to get her good and warm...and then she hauls ass!!!!

[Kidd]

Yes , Adrian , I believe you're right , especially the blue ones .
At first I was not impressed  with my blue Valk  , after 1K miles  , I am finding the power as if it was not there before , or maybe it was me , mine is getting faster and more fun to ride .

I am wondering though , the more I accelerate  hard   , does that mean   it will  become a fast accelerating bike , compared  to driving it  conservatively will make it not  as fast .
In the end , it will turn out like you first drove it in the first few thousand miles .

Hmmm , I wonder if that makes sense ?

Kidd

[AdrianR]

Yes , Adrian , I believe you're right , especially the blue ones .
At first I was not impressed  with my blue Valk  , after 1K miles  , I am finding the power as if it was not there before , or maybe it was me , mine is getting faster and more fun to ride .


Kidd

Yes , Adrian , I believe you're right , especially the blue ones .

**I thought black was the fastest...I think that's true...but blue is the baddest...lol**

At first I was not impressed  with my blue Valk  , after 1K miles  , I am finding the power as if it was not there before , or maybe it was me , mine is getting faster and more fun to ride .

I am wondering though , the more I accelerate  hard   , does that mean   it will  become a fast accelerating bike , compared  to driving it  conservatively will make it not  as fast .
In the end , it will turn out like you first drove it in the first few thousand miles .

Hmmm , I wonder if that makes sense ?

Seriously though I agree. When I first bought my bike...I thought it would be faster, but as the miles increase so does the performance.  Of course the more you ride the bike, the more you learn how to ride it...that is where the power band is, how the gearing works with respect to the power, and how the bike handles.  Aside from being cool during the first several hundred miles...I really don't think it matters all that much how it is ridden/broken in...I don't think there is any correlation...

One thing that does make it faster though IMO  is the proper weight oil;  FULL SYNTHETIC OIL(10w/30) and ethanol free fuel.

[hubcapsc]

Ridden conservatively, the way I usually ride, the 1800 just seems
like a tight new version of my 1500 which I still like as much as
ever. When you finally get a little straightway to pass that truck on
the curvy road, though... the 1800 really does get the job done 

-Mike

[Kidd]

well , I'm at 1500 miles , is it ready for an oil change ?


and yes , A man , years ago , it did make a difference on how it was broken in , motors many be different now days . at least that's what I remember from the 1960s and 1970s

Yes , Adrian , I believe you're right , especially the blue ones .
At first I was not impressed  with my blue Valk  , after 1K miles  , I am finding the power as if it was not there before , or maybe it was me , mine is getting faster and more fun to ride .


Kidd

Yes , Adrian , I believe you're right , especially the blue ones .

**I thought black was the fastest...I think that's true...but blue is the baddest...lol**

At first I was not impressed  with my blue Valk  , after 1K miles  , I am finding the power as if it was not there before , or maybe it was me , mine is getting faster and more fun to ride .

I am wondering though , the more I accelerate  hard   , does that mean   it will  become a fast accelerating bike , compared  to driving it  conservatively will make it not  as fast .
In the end , it will turn out like you first drove it in the first few thousand miles .

Hmmm , I wonder if that makes sense ?

Seriously though I agree. When I first bought my bike...I thought it would be faster, but as the miles increase so does the performance.  Of course the more you ride the bike, the more you learn how to ride it...that is where the power band is, how the gearing works with respect to the power, and how the bike handles.  Aside from being cool during the first several hundred miles...I really don't think it matters all that much how it is ridden/broken in...I don't think there is any correlation...

One thing that does make it faster though IMO  is the proper weight oil;  FULL SYNTHETIC OIL(10w/30) and ethanol free fuel.

[dinosnake]

PHUCK IT...went for a ride anyway...

Now my bike is dirty!   Hit some rain...oh well...

Bike just keeps getting faster...wow...getting ready to break 4K....  Really goes good in the cool air...Takes a good like 15 minutes to get her good and warm...and then she hauls ass!!!!

What she is, is sneaky.  Part of this sneakiness is due to the long-throw throttle.

What happens is that you're puttering along with traffic, going say the same speed or a little bit faster, and you are making modest speed adjustments with your throttle hand. Your hand seems to be moving as always, like it always has during your riding career, and the bike is just so smooth and elegant in its responses. Your ride isn't eventful at all.

Then you decide to pass.  Only then do you, somewhat subconsciously, use more of that long-travel throttle, the far range that you don't get into very often.  Then the bike goes into warp speed and you're "Holy crap!" as that car in front, one you though wasn't that close, is now RIGHT ON TOP OF YOU and all of a sudden it's butt-puckering time.

[_Sheffjs_]

PHUCK IT...went for a ride anyway...

Now my bike is dirty!   Hit some rain...oh well...

Bike just keeps getting faster...wow...getting ready to break 4K....  Really goes good in the cool air...Takes a good like 15 minutes to get her good and warm...and then she hauls ass!!!!

Warp speed mr sulu 

[_Sheffjs_]

Ridden conservatively, the way I usually ride, the 1800 just seems
like a tight new version of my 1500 which I still like as much as
ever. When you finally get a little straightway to pass that truck on
the curvy road, though... the 1800 really does get the job done 

-Mike

I'm driving the car home from work and the wifely sends a text.  Hey, let's get on the bike and ride up to Buffalo Wild Wings and get some wind and food.  I'm like heck yea. We took the 1500 and a couple of hours later I am still riding and smiling from ear to ear.  The 1500 felt real good tonight and yes I had to take out two cages.     Don't they see the size of all this chrome motor!! 

[Beardo]

God do I phucking hate living around here!!!!!

Haven't had my bike out in weeks...did more riding in February then in March...and now this first week starting with today is nothing but cold, rain and snow...wtf??

I just don't know how anyone could live any further north then Illinois...

I rode once a couple weeks ago. And before that, October. So...yeah...I hear ya. 

[Robert]

Like Sheffjs the wife says lets go downtown on the 1800 and get some dinner. It is always crowded so the wife and I hopped on and went to town had dinner then went on the main drag found a easy parking spot. Its so nice to be able to not have to deal with the idiots blocking intersections and roads when you can just  go around them. It was like a picture perfect night even the food was exceptional steak and eggs for dinner   Nice enough yet to be able to sit outside and the bike in easy view but soon will have to eat inside because of it being to hot.

 I always call from about 1/2 to full throttle super speed it just seems to make me smile most of the time I dont know why. 

  Slow speed maneuvering can be a bit challenging sometimes though because since I changed the grips the throttle does not have as long as a throw and if you hit is just a bit to hard you take off. There is no lag of response when you hit this throttle.

[AdrianR]

  Slow speed maneuvering can be a bit challenging sometimes though because since I changed the grips the throttle does not have as long as a throw and if you hit is just a bit to hard you take off. There is no lag of response when you hit this throttle.

Hmmm... I find slow speed maneuvering a piece of cake...assuming you have enough room for the bike's long wheelbase...  I test myself at near stopped speeds to keep my feet off the pavement...  It's all in the clutch man, which btw is outstanding on this bike...slide, slide, slide...and the bike's immense torque allows you to nearly maneuver at idling speeds.

[dinosnake]

  Slow speed maneuvering can be a bit challenging sometimes though because since I changed the grips the throttle does not have as long as a throw and if you hit is just a bit to hard you take off. There is no lag of response when you hit this throttle.

Hmmm... I find slow speed maneuvering a piece of cake...assuming you have enough room for the bike's long wheelbase...  I test myself at near stopped speeds to keep my feet off the pavement...  It's all in the clutch man, which btw is outstanding on this bike...slide, slide, slide...and the bike's immense torque allows you to nearly maneuver at idling speeds.

That's strange: I changed my grips as well and have no difference in throttle response.  The grip's cam should be the same diameter and shape which should make no difference, unless your grips have a different cam shape the long throw design should be contained in the intake cam's design

[_Sheffjs_]

I use the clutch alot at slow speed maneuvering also.  However I'm not as graceful as I used to be at slow speeds with mostly two up riding.  That's why I stay in the sticks and go fast!  

Also I find the 1500 cloddy at slow speeds, the 1800 is way better.  

[_Sheffjs_]

Thats why I moved out of SW Chicago area 16 yrs ago (Joliet) My Back yard 365 days a year. Never changes.

I was hatched at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet. Joliet is a great town to be FROM and never go back.  Had a T-Shirt that said  Illinois looks great in the rear view mirror.      that was 1984 when I moved to Florida.   Chicago was a brutally cold place to live in the winter! 

[Kidd]

Someone here mentioned taking off  in second  gear  in place of first , that's what I have been doing and I like it much better , first gear IS too short

I use the clutch alot at slow speed maneuvering also.  However I'm not as graceful as I used to be at slow speeds with mostly two up riding.  That's why I stay in the sticks and go fast!  

Also I find the 1500 cloddy at slow speeds, the 1800 is way better.  

[_Sheffjs_]

Someone here mentioned taking off  in second  gear  in place of first , that's what I have been doing and I like it much better , first gear IS too short

I use the clutch alot at slow speed maneuvering also.  However I'm not as graceful as I used to be at slow speeds with mostly two up riding.  That's why I stay in the sticks and go fast!  

Also I find the 1500 cloddy at slow speeds, the 1800 is way better.  

Not a good idea two up in second.  My wife has her helmet on and an ear to ear grin before I have my gloves on. 

[TallRider]

Small world Jerry. All my family lives in the Joliet area. That's were I am from. Lockport actually. Daughter lives in Custer Park. Other in Lockport, grand daughter in New Lenox. Worked on Larkin Ave the last 15 years before retiring.

You have to understand the throttle on this bike. If you twist it to full throttle stop the computer control adtualy dampens the power. Crack it some times in 3rd gear and as you wind it out back off the stop about 10-15% you will actually feel an increase in power and accelleration. Been thinking of getting it reflashed as some have done but can't get myself to lay the bike up even for a week. I tightened up The play in the throttle to almost none. Feel is much better for me. I do not use 1st gear and actually start in 3rd some time. Always take off at an idle never add throttle till clutch is engaged. Engine is smooth and plenty of power. Never could do it with a twin. Will get a lot of bucking at low speed.

[_Sheffjs_]

Small world Jerry. All my family lives in the Joliet area. That's were I am from. Lockport actually. Daughter lives in Custer Park. Other in Lockport, grand daughter in New Lenox. Worked on Larkin Ave the last 15 years before retiring.

Well there you go. White Fence Farm and Pilcher Park with the free well water.  Hawthorne Street New Lenox.   

[AdrianR]

You have to understand the throttle on this bike. If you twist it to full throttle stop the computer control adtualy dampens the power. Crack it some times in 3rd gear and as you wind it out back off the stop about 10-15% you will actually feel an increase in power and accelleration. Been thinking of getting it reflashed as some have done but can't get myself to lay the bike up even for a week. I tightened up The play in the throttle to almost none.

Could you please expound somewhat on this paragraph? ???

[bscrive]

Most fuel injection vehicles shut off the fuel at full throttle.  This is for when the vehicle gets flooded on start up, you can put the throttle to the max, and the computer will not send fuel while your cranking the engine.  With the bike running the computer may be turning the fuel on-off-on-off etc.  Which would account for the reduction in power.


As for the weather, I got out last Wednesday for a 1.5hr ride, but since then the bike has been parked because the temp has dropped significantly.  Doesn't look like I will get out any time in the near future.  Looking at possible snow later in the week. 

[dinosnake]

It could also be, and it is both common and consistent with the bike's reaction, that the engine is running RICH at full throttle.

It does happen: Kawasaki EFI Vulcans run rich at full throttle and therefore, when you add an aftermarket computer tuner, you often do not add any "main jet" fuel, only "idle jet".  The manufacturers do this to protect the engine to keep it cool and away from detonation under hard use.

What could be occurring that, by reducing throttle plate position, you are bringing the ECU back into a more power-oriented 14:1 fuel ratio program.  Again, this reaction is seen on Vulcans so I'm familiar with it.

[TallRider]

All sounds reasonable to me. I know the guys I ran with when I had the VTX were able to boost the HP from stock 85 to 115 by simply remaping fuel and installed the right pipes. He re dynoed it after the alteration. Bike really hauled after that. There is a guy on the F6C forum who says after reaping this bike and removing the restrictions in the program was getting much better performance. Raised the red line by 500 rpms as well to 6500. From what I have seen not to much change in this bike though.

[dans2014]

  I was in Phoenix last week. Almost to hot to ride comfortable. Had to remove liners from my riding suit! ha ha . Get out of the mid west and live!!!

[brew1brew]

well , I'm at 1500 miles , is it ready for an oil change ?

no, the service manual says 4k for the first service

[dinosnake]

I  changed the oil at 600 miles and glad I did, mine was black.