Today I did do - My first ride at full power..

[bikertomm]

Holy, fucking, shit.

The day I've been waiting a good 4/5 years for arrived today.

Got my Hornet de-restricted from 33bhp to it's full 100 horses. I've also had brand new PR3's and EBC brake pads all round, so it's fair to say it feels like a new bike!

I turned up to the mechanics at 8am (got a lift) so had an anxious wait till I could get on!

https://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o520/bikerrtomm/20150331_085800_zpsinsihnyj.jpg

Upon startup, I felt that feeling you get when you were a kid at christmas..

My mind is blown.

As I pulled out the farm track onto a NSL lane, I very nearly hamfisted myself into a fence, as the gale force side-wind nearly caught me out. Not ridden in 25-40mph side winds before...Weird!

The bike is everything I expected it to be, and then some more. I knew it would be quick, but the speed from pinning it in first/second/third is ridiculous! I spent a good amount of time screaming inside my helmet - "fuuuuucking hellll that's quick!"

It must go from 40 - 70 in about a second or less! It felt like my arms were being pulled off. I went over a few crests in the latter part of the rev range and the front was wanting to come up it felt very light! It was doing a mini tank slapper (or what felt like one) quite a few times which is more sensitive than I expected.

I'm finding it weird how the throttle moves so much (like 180 degrees?), probably because I'm used to it being restricted and having about 20mm of travel, but also when riding I'm finding I keep needing to adjust my hand position depending on what mode of fist I want to be in? Is this normal?

So I haven't stretched its legs to it's full extent yet, but jesus christ bikes are quick. I love how responsive they are, it goes into warp mode above 8k. I can't imagine what a new 1000 must be like on the roads. Going to take me a while to get used to this I think!

Unfortunately it developed a bit of a misfire and was firing on 3 cylinders, so I nursed it back to the mechanics, where he checked the downpipes to see if the sparkplugs were doing there thing.

Turns out it was the thing the sparkplug fits into; it was scored and was moving it around so it wasn't in contact all the time - which was why it was intermittent. (Bogging down at low revs)

So after he bodged something together from another bike and sealed it back up again..

(these mechanics are absolutely top blokes, I've found myself a goldmine for all future jobs. I think they deserve their own thread of me recommending them to be honest. The place smells of oil, the blokes wear overalls, they are the type that like a tinker to get it working again for the pride of it, not milking the money. They charged me brilliant prices for the work they have done. I will be bunging a tip their way. Will post in the SE section.. Credit where credits due etc! )

It was running like a dream, much healthier. I could enjoy the power from down low now, and did I mention the sound? This thing howls like a massive, howling thing does. Awesome burble!

I then got caught out in the rain.. and had a bit of a moment when I gave it ever so slightly too much throttle on a country lane. This was heavy rain which then dissapeared with blue skies, so the road was properly greasy/slippery. I span the back up accidentally and the bars went from left to right I truly shat myself as there was a big truck coming the other way. Not sure how I stayed on but I didn't grab the brake I pulled the clutch in which worked out well! Closest I've ever been to binning her.

All in all, a good days riding and lessons learnt.

She's filthy as hell now but will get a good clean in the coming weeks when the weather improves. Just need to lube the chain, maybe polish the downpipes (anyone know a good product for this?) and give it an oil&filter change and she's sorted for this years riding.

Boom!

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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[chickenstrip]

Tyres, scrub-in.
Pads, bed in.

Take it easy for a 100 miles or so.
____________________
Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[bikertomm]

[mailee]

That sounds familiar. I am just getting used to my Hornet at the moment. I appreciate what you are saying about the acceleration as I am sure my arms are longer now! I think you hit the nail on the head describing hitting the high revs like going into warp drive! mine hasn't been restricted but i have just been taking it easy until I got used to the bike. These things are docile in the low revs but mental at the top end of the rev counter!

[Fisty]

Wait till you try a fast bike!
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Mudshark]

[Rogerborg]

[grr666]

[evilzed]

It is a pretty quick bike indeed (I've had my 09 over a year now but will be selling soon) I never knew the Hornets could be restricted. Like others have said take it easy at first esp with the new tyres!

[1198]

Nice looking bike by the way - very tidy.
What year is it?

[recman]

[arry]

Surely your restriction was up a whole back?

Y U take long time

[bikertomm]

[Suntan Sid]

[struan80]

Sounds like your a happy chappy, nice one mate. Must be strange having the same bike with all of a sudden mad power, be careful though and have fun

[Supermoto_Fan]

I remember taking mine out of the SV in May last year 6 months before I was due too. Felt like a new bike, was easier to ride too.

Then I got on my new bike and had the feeling all over again now that is fast
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Yamaha MT-09 - Triple powerrrr

[Polarbear]

[Rogue_Shadow]

[Monkeypony]

That photo looked oddly familiar, then I realised that you and I use the same mechanic!

I cant imagine how much fun it must be to suddenly nearly triple your bikes power overnight!
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Current bike - 2018 H2-SX, 2004 SV1000s, 2016 Aprilia RSV4 RF, 2017 Sherco SERF 300, 2003 Suzuki DRZ400 (stolen - AY53 JUU)

[cheeseman]

Sounds like you're having fun! That's a brilliant thread OP - just take it easy now, especially on greasy roads!
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XJ600S->Sprint ST 955i * ; Now ST1100 + W650

[Dcwhite1984]

Glad your enjoying it, just make sure your next post isn't about binning it.

Roads at the moment aren't amazing, however warmer weather is just round the corner, plenty of time to get out and about and learn yours and the bikes capabilities
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The trick to life is to not get too attached to it.........

[Iain.]

[-LG-]

My XJ6 was restricted to 33bhp when I first got it as the dealership forgot it was in, when I was riding around I was thinking this is fast enough.

Week or so later I got it taken out...fuck me it was quick! Scared the shit out of me.

Two years later it doesn't scare me (as much...), but find myself looking for something faster .
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Snow rider wrote: I'm far to annoying to be near for long periods of time

[supZ]

heh I remember this feeling

I never was restricted but I went straight from the schools 33bhp bike to my CBR600F. Honestly, I hated my 1st ride. completely different style, position, weighting..

My second ride however... what an experience!

I still get this feeling with my blade. It's rare I use more than a 3rd to half throttle even when overtaking as i just don't need to, but on the odd occasions i do.... brings it all flooding back
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[chickenstrip]