2020-06-28_07-21-26 by
Steve Weeks, on Flickr
Not sure leaving the house at 6am today was my brightest move.... Lets just say it wasn't particularly warm out there... It wasn't even 100% dry.
However, it was bloody epic. I'm going to have to go back to the gushing praise and plaudits for the XSR900, it's just THAT good.
Firstly the downsides from yesterdays changes, the exhaust. Well, lets just say, it's not as fruity with this new exhaust compared to the standard one, i don't know what it equates to in Db, but it's a chunk quieter. Good in some ways, bad in others.
However, it looks way better, so i'm happy, the neighbours will also be happy should i ever start going back to work on it.
The Powerbronze screen helps with the wind which is a good thing, it also helps with the flies and the looks, so that's a massive bonus there too. I'll adjust it higher today, not sure if that angle is optimal for noise over the helmet or was just getting used to the new helmet (Which is actually brilliant, really impressed with the HJC)
The handling i changed slightly, upping the pressures by 4psi on both this morning, taking it to 35F 37R, it turns sharper as you'd expect but not too sharp and still holds it's lines lovely. The power on this is smooth, effortless and just one of the easiest bikes ever to ride, you can leave it in whatever gear and it just doesn't care, 3rd, 4th, 5th, it'll still do 25mph, but do whatever speed you want. I may look into a 1 tooth lower front, i'm just not using 6th gear at all, well apart from when i get over-excited with the QS and just want to just keep on going through the gears...
I really want to get one of the lads to ride this to see their thoughts, i know how they ride and their thoughts on bikes and would love some input... Arguably i should have got that before selling the Nitron shock, but i'm not sure i can cope with trying to fit it again and i'm not convinced it's going to make what is already a lovely handling bike any better. I think the MT09 seems more prone to suspension issues than the XSR and i'm honestly not sure there's any point swapping it. (assuming i can ever get the bugger off)
I decided to cut my planned ride short as i was chilly cold and i realised i'd be at GPs house by 6:45am which was never going to be appreciated
coffee and warming up now