I finally got to pick up my 14R. I drove from Pennsylvania down to Rockingham, NC on Friday with my daughter and I picked up the 14 first thing Saturday morning. A blue, zero mile 2012. It was beautiful and warm in NC. I put on all my gear and headed out.

My daughter drove the car home. She's 17 and this was her first long drive behind the wheel. It was nice having her along with the car as a support vehicle. We stopped in Asheboro (about 55 miles) for lunch and the first oil change. I always do this early with new bikes. I couldn't believe the crap that came out with the oil! Sandy grit and little bits of aluminum casting. Nasty... I'll probably cut open the filter to see what's in there. New Kawi filter and washer, nice clean dino oil, lunch at Waffle House, and back on the road.

First impression of the 14R is how tame and smooth it is. All that low end power makes it a kitten in parking lots and slow traffic. Smooth shifting, but quite a big 'clunk' and lurch going from N to 1 when stopped. I've always been more of a 'motoman' break in kind of guy, rather than the 'keep it under 4k, then 6k' by the book. I don't rev over 4000 rpms, but I do get into full lower rpm power right away, accelerating hard, then closed throttle decel. I did that for 25 miles and then road 'normally' until I did the oil change. (ok, start the hate-mail now, lol)

The seating position is pretty good, but seat to pegs is tight for me. I think I need lower pegs or rearsets. I'll definately need a sport-touring windshield, as this one directs the full force of wind starting at my neck. All that force on the helmet for 540 miles made my neck sore. I'll also be looking at new seats. The stock one isn't 'bad' but it's not great either.

Handling is really good considering I haven't set it up for me yet. All I did was check the tire pressure. Smooth and fluid, nothing twitchy. Pretty quick response for a big bike. Good brakes, but the rear requires more effort than I'm used to - should improve with time.

38 degrees by the time I got home, glad to get under some blankets :)

So I'll finish the rest of my 1,000 mile 'break-in' this week, then see how it is in the 9,000+rpms. I'm already planning an order with Ivan's. I'm looking at the Yosh R55 system, ECU reflash, PCV combo. Should keep me happy for a while...

* Last updated by: aegisranger on 6/18/2013 @ 8:21 AM *

Congrats on the new bird!

Hail Hail, to the daugter and father duo. I see a VFR over there in your pic. Is the VFR slated for the kin, or is it your secondary mount. post up a large pic of that sexy blue machine.
Mad love and Welcome,
Wolfman

Actually, the VFR will remain my primary mount, at least for now. I commute 600+ miles per week, and I just don't want to put that many "boring" miles on the 14. I got my VFR about 18 months ago and have put over 12K miles on it. I'm saving the 14 for other-than commuting riding, and 1/4 mile fun. I also have a Suzuki VX800 based cafe project that I'm working on, and an old Savage that I'm setting up for my daughter.

Glad you got home safely. I took my then 16 year old daughter from Raleigh, N.C. to S.C. a year ago this week to pick up my ford Roush mustang. She followed me home, and did great. It also allowed us to have some father daughter time together. My wife doesn't even like to ride down to the corner store with her. She may be heading off to college this year,but she will always be daddy's little girl.

Welcome...
I agree about the rear brake. It does require more effort than bikes in the past.
but, you're not supposed to be stopping with this bike anyways... it's meant to GO!

"you're not supposed to be stopping with this bike"

Hey, I'm old... eventually my bladder will insist that I stop!