[luciano136]

Picked up a '14 ABS model yesterday. It was interesting weather in Socal; humid and raining. I picked the bike up in Perris, CA and rode all the way back home to Huntington Beach. It's about 1.5h and 72 miles including the good ol' Ortega Hwy canyon road.

A few first impressions:
* Ergonomics/comfort/handling: I've always ridden sport bikes, so the seating position is very relaxed for me! I actually had to get used to the high handlebars a bit when cornering; a very different feel from my Daytona. That said, the bike is very agile and seems to turn in really well! I didn't really notice the extra 100lbs of weight over my 'tona (except when pushing it in the garage!). I also love the windscreen; pretty relaxed on the fwy in the highest position. The seat is a bit firm but I read they break in after a few hundred miles.
* Engine/gearbox: since I'm still in the break-in period, I can't comment on the power too much but you immediately notice the abundance of torque; smooth even in the low rev range. Throttle response seems very linear as well; it really makes this a very friendly and easy bike to ride despite having plenty of grunt. I did notice some of the vibration people talk about around 6k but seems minor. Exhaust sounds good as well but haven't heard it in the high rev range yet. The gearbox also seems very smooth; I miss my gear indicator a bit but not a big deal.
* Styling: I can't say it's the best looking thing out there. The headlights seem a bit large giving it a funky look from the front. I do love the look of the dual exhaust though.

So, all said and done, I think this is a great all-purpose bike that I will keep around and enjoy for many years!!

 

[ToNY97]

Welcome

I need you to take care of that humidity before my family vacations there next week. We went in April 2014 and loved LA. We wanted to experience summer heat without the humidity. We want to bake not saute.

 

[luciano136]

Thanks!! I think today may be the last humid day, so you should be in the clear

 

[west coast n1k]

Welcome to the forum. And the seat WILL NOT soften up. Lots of info on here on replacement seats.

 

[luciano136]

Welcome to the forum. And the seat WILL NOT soften up. Lots of info on here on replacement seats.

Got it! Maybe a gel one will be in my future. It didn't bother me too much but over 2h would probably result in some discomfort.

I also adjusted the shift lever up a bit tonight; I could barely fit my boot under there. And another excuse for a quick ride LOL The looks are growing on my too; I can't help but think Mad Max when I see that monstrous exhaust

 

[CoachP7]

Welcome and enjoy !

 

[luciano136]

Welcome and enjoy !

Thank you! Anxiously trying to get through the break-in period . Speakin' of, how did you guys break in the bike? I try to stay under 6k rpm but 4k is just not reasonable if you don't have a deathwish on the fwy LOL

 

[BrokeSolid]

I did a hard break in for the first 200 hundred miles. After that, I kept up with my oil change interval, but rode it like it wasn't in break-in anymore. I kept it under 5K for the first 20 miles, under 8K up to 50 while doing my break in. 1900 miles now and still kicking arse. I will be switching back to synthetic this weekend for my 2K oil change, running Rotella the entire time.

My oil change interval:
0 changed to Rotella T 15-40, with Lucas break-in additive
20
50
200
600
2000

It's all personal preference and a few have said it doesn't seem to matter on this bike how it's break-in is performed. Either way, this is how I've broke in every engine I've ever built.

 

[luciano136]

Thx! I think I'll take it easy up until the first oil change at 600mi and then get the revs up gradually. Still need to check on approved oil and best interval but if 15w50 works, that would be great! Same as I'm using in my Daytona.

I notice a tiny ringing noise too when going through alleys; not sure if something is loose or if it is just the engine? Will need to check it out. Very minor but you can hear it when riding; doesn't seem present at idle.

Lastly, I totally forgot to comment on the brakes. They are awesome! Tons of stopping power!

 

[CoachP7]

Pretty much kept to the manual (4000 and 8000rpm). Hard to do ! Contemplated a 'hard break-in' but stuck it out via the manual. Did my first oil change at 600kms. Really surprised at how dirty that oil was. Did a recent 10hr trip one way (then return) so around 3200kms now and think I will do another change very shortly.

 

[BrokeSolid]

Soft or hard break-in, I would not wait till 600mi for my first oil change. I would at least consider 50, 200, 1000 or more often. That's one reason I run Rotella, it's a cheap oil change, and it's stuff I trust in just about everything I own.

 

[luciano136]

Maybe I'll try to do one over the weekend with oil that's a bit cheaper and then do a change at 1000mi with better oil. I typically use Motul 15w-50, which is pricey. I'm almost at 200mi at the moment.

How about the oil filter? Change as well?

 

[CoachP7]

Filter? Yes. They're cheap and easy to access. No sense in cross contaminating your new oil with used oil in the filter.

 

[luciano136]

Filter? Yes. They're cheap and easy to access. No sense in cross contaminating your new oil with used oil in the filter.

Great! On the hunt for some oil now

 

[luciano136]

Done! Ordered a K&N oil filter and Motul 7100 10w40 as to not void any warranties

 

[Jeckler]

I'll be in Perris this Friday, picking my bike up too. I'm going to assume you got yours from Langston? Who was your salesman? Mine's Bret. Care to share your OTD?

 

[Shiro]

I think I was dealing with the same dealership in Perris... they got a blue one there but we couldn't come up with a deal as they are asking for $1800 more than their asking price...
I ended up getting a pre-own candy lime green with only 800 miles on it from a private party.
I'll hit you up somewhere on Mulholand!

 

[Shiro]

Are you picking up the one with $8,199 price tag on it? It is listed on Craigslist for a while.

 

[Jeckler]

Yep, that's the one. I knew going in that the advertised price was base. I still got it out the door for $3k cheaper than a '15. The blue is growing on me.

 

[luciano136]

Yep, that's the one. I knew going in that the advertised price was base. I still got it out the door for $3k cheaper than a '15. The blue is growing on me.

Too funny! They had two 2014 left over. Green and blue. I picked up the green one. I think with all the taxes and fees, it was still about $10k. I got them down a few $$ but they wouldn't budge too much. Dealt with Bret as well.