Okay, I've got a few miles under my belt (300 or so) and I noticed a few things. First off, if my back holds up I will ride this motorcycle a long time, maybe forever it's that fun. The gearing I used (16-43) is perfect for my needs; on the highway it just does what I tell it and never runs out of steam, I like that! In the corners (although I'm just learning the bike) it seems great fun and the difference from the Nighthawk (1985 650sc) is interesting. I feel like I'm riding my Commando again.
Two things, gas mileage. My speedo is off about 10 mph so I guess the odo is off too but it seems (Nighthawk gets 60+ mpg) that the GS is like the Norton (that got around 35mpg) and gets around 30-40 (I am running a pipe; yoshimura front and kerker back) and the power band is kind of weak under 3 grand on the tach (I think that's working okay). I caulk this up to light flywheels. 1st, 2nd and 3rd you can short shift all you want, the motor will do anything but 4th and 5th need to be treated a little different; shifting out at a little higher rpm and with my tall gearing I find myself wanting 4th on the highway occasionally if I have to blast away from an idiot.
My three major questions are mileage, low end and muffler. Can I use a yoshimura, like a RS3 type, and have a quieter bike. Or is there any smaller (in size) quieter slip-on)), one could buy?
Thanks, Rick
Two things, gas mileage. My speedo is off about 10 mph so I guess the odo is off too but it seems (Nighthawk gets 60+ mpg) that the GS is like the Norton (that got around 35mpg) and gets around 30-40 (I am running a pipe; yoshimura front and kerker back) and the power band is kind of weak under 3 grand on the tach (I think that's working okay). I caulk this up to light flywheels. 1st, 2nd and 3rd you can short shift all you want, the motor will do anything but 4th and 5th need to be treated a little different; shifting out at a little higher rpm and with my tall gearing I find myself wanting 4th on the highway occasionally if I have to blast away from an idiot.
My three major questions are mileage, low end and muffler. Can I use a yoshimura, like a RS3 type, and have a quieter bike. Or is there any smaller (in size) quieter slip-on)), one could buy?
Thanks, Rick