Running in - 1st Hurdle done

[BFG]

The MT-01 went for its first service yesterday.

After 600 miles, things were starting to feel a bit soggy. With the quarter of a tonne weight it would seem the suspension has a lot of running in to do.

The motor has cleared its lungs a little, but still feels like it has some way to go. Despite the clear ability to knock a wall down at 1000rpm, the 2800rpm limit was beginning to get a little tiresome, if only because at that point it's really starting to get its teeth into the task of catapulting the rider into next week.

Service time. Take it all the way back to Blackpool for free labour on first service. Hmm. With fuel + a whole day on the motorway, a local service looks better value. Local bods here we come.

AHHHhhhhhh! That's better! Feeling nice and tight on the handling again. Brakes feel 100% better, motor is more urgent. Lovely. Pootle through town and life is sweet. The dual is coming up in a moment. Gone is the divvy loaner bike, a wretched thing which has stood fairly well against the abuse of 30,000 uncaring miles, and I have the MT back.

I'm used to the stares, having ridden a custom for years - but these are different. The general public do recognise a custom for what it is, the stares show some recognition. But the stares the MT draws involve a mixture of curiosity, confusion and something....? Although this isn;t why I bought it - it's fine when riding along. That dual is getting closer. It gets a little tiresome at the side of the street. Add 15mins to any journey time to accommodate the myriad of questions. This is a new experience for me, I've never owned a new model of anything, rather I'm used to curious onlookers showing interest over something I've built. I'm not one to feel proud about possessions, but with the MT it's unavoidable - yet the MT is something I've bought - it's someone else's work, so there's a healthy measure of guilt in this cocktail of emotions.

Speaking of emotions, that dual carriageway is here. Shame it's only 50 limit - damn that's gone already. Up to third, the mantra repeats - "squeeze the throttle, squeeze the throttle - don't turn it". I have a extra 500 rpm to play with and it makes some difference but not enough to stop it feeling like a right tease. The mirrors show nothing, where have all the cars gone? Into 4th, squeeze the throttle - where did that truck come from? The one which just smacked into my arse?



The power delivery is instant. It's all there, at any throttle opening and at any revs (well so far). Don't be a pillion on an MT-01. If the rider sneezes, you'll be off the back.

My only criticism of the bike is the chain drive. An engine with this much torque needs a very tight transmission system to get the best out of the engine. What's that noise at 30mph? Oh it's a chain! Right - OK. What's that chattering when I open the throttle fairly hard at 1000rpm (like big twins are meant to do). Oh, it's the chain. What's that crunch when I select first? Oh, the chain's loose.

I'll need to get a scottoiler and adjust the chain every two days I think

Mods to come next. I'm not one of these people to keep a product pristine in it's wrapper, as the manufacturer intended for as long as possible. A motorcycle leaving the factory is "a start". I can improve it. Yamaha seem to think so too, given the accessory range. The billet alloy reservoirs have already arrived, and plans are afoot for an aftermarket system. The standard pipes are much too quiet.

Another 400 miles at 3300rpm and then it's open season.
Sorry for the epic. Actually this was posted elsewhere and I just cut+Pasted.