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New ST - Day 4



The ST continues to amaze me.  It's docile as you want it to be but it's a wolf in sheep's
clothing.  Since I passed the 300 mile/483 km mark, I was able to rev the engine up to 6000
rpm.  The bike feels like a hybrid cross between an in-line four and a V-twin -- very
satisfying, quick revving and tons of torque (and I'm "babying" the bike since it's still in
the break-in period)!

New observations:  the fuel gauge is giving erratic readings (no surprise there).  The fuel
tank seems to be venting properly as I'm not getting a vacuum when I open the fuel filler
cap... how strange that it spontaneously "fixed" itself (and coincided with the erratic fuel
readings)!!!

I lowered the shifter approximately 5 - 7 mm.  Upshifts are much more precise now thanks to
the added leverage I have for pulling up on the shift lever.  I snipped the cable tie for the
ignition wire bundle just to be safe since it was also getting squished by the clutch cable.

I found some relief from engine heat by splaying my knees outward about 2 inches/50 cm for a
few seconds.  This brings the knees out into the wind and draws cool air inward.  It's not
comfortable to do for very long, but the relief is immediate.

Speaking of heat, when the bike is fully warmed up, my water temp gauge seems only registers
just above the "cold" zone (even when the fan comes on).  The Speed Triple I test rode had a
temp gauge that seemed much more accurate.  I'll have the dealer check it out at the 1st
service.

Final comment:  magazine testers have opined that the ST sounds "industrial".  I guess I'm so
used to the tractor-like sound of an airhead boxer that the ST sounds pretty cool to me.  I
wish it had a bit more growl to its tone, but otherwise, I think the magazine guys just had
to find something to complain about.

There ya have it.

GG


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