Well... first I want to give props to Jason Adams and the crew at Yukon Yamaha - this is a great bunch to deal with. They walk the talk, they use the gear and they keep it real. The mechanic has serial # 2 in the XT1200Z line.
to set the context I am coming off a 2008 Harley Dyna Super Glide. This is a bare bike, 1600cc, breathed on, tuned with high performance exhaust and Ohlins fully adjustable rear suspension. It weighs in wet at 700 and change and I at 200 ready to ride. I am short with a short reach, probably as big around as I am tall ???. 28 inch inseam.
First impressions before the ride - this is a beautiful machine and it is not small. It stands tall and looks like a bruiser brawler. With the seat in the low setting I barely tip-toe the ground. Pushing it around and side to side it feels light and moves easily.
The engine sounds delightful, low tone and sounds strong. The mechanic suggested to stay in tour mode for the first 100km or so. rolled out in the yard of Yukon Yamaha and did a bit of low speed fooling around just to feel the bike. wow - super light feel, easy to roll from side to side, full stop without touching the ground and roll off, easy friction zone work, very nimble. feels like a 400lb bike. clutch, brake, steering all have a very confidence inspiring feel at low speeds - very nimble (did I say that already).
Rem and I headed out on the road - this is a smooth machine, it was hard to keep it mellow. The first hour was easy 120kph or so. very flickable bike at speed. Very responsive. 6th gear at 3500 rpm 115kph the bars are as smooth as silk. No matter what I did the bike was calm, collected, composed and confidence inspiring. Roll on the throttle from 100kph and in no time you are up to 160kph. roll-in on corners is without issue, pick your line and it stays where you put it, want to change mid corner, counter steer lightly and it goes where you want, tighter or looser did not matter it went there.
After 200km I decided to try S mode - now I am telling you, this ride would eat my Harley for breakfast and still want more. traction control set at 1. first gear rolling, open throttle fully, my oh my, traction light blinking - 7500rpm shift and do it again in the next gear. this thing puts it to the ground 180kph in the blink of an eye ???. ya want to pass, drop a gear or two and what ever was in front of you is rapidly dispearing in the rear view mirror ???. This is a very capable ride. I am soooooo happy I bought this bike :exclaim: :exclaim: :exclaim:
to set the context I am coming off a 2008 Harley Dyna Super Glide. This is a bare bike, 1600cc, breathed on, tuned with high performance exhaust and Ohlins fully adjustable rear suspension. It weighs in wet at 700 and change and I at 200 ready to ride. I am short with a short reach, probably as big around as I am tall ???. 28 inch inseam.
First impressions before the ride - this is a beautiful machine and it is not small. It stands tall and looks like a bruiser brawler. With the seat in the low setting I barely tip-toe the ground. Pushing it around and side to side it feels light and moves easily.
The engine sounds delightful, low tone and sounds strong. The mechanic suggested to stay in tour mode for the first 100km or so. rolled out in the yard of Yukon Yamaha and did a bit of low speed fooling around just to feel the bike. wow - super light feel, easy to roll from side to side, full stop without touching the ground and roll off, easy friction zone work, very nimble. feels like a 400lb bike. clutch, brake, steering all have a very confidence inspiring feel at low speeds - very nimble (did I say that already).
Rem and I headed out on the road - this is a smooth machine, it was hard to keep it mellow. The first hour was easy 120kph or so. very flickable bike at speed. Very responsive. 6th gear at 3500 rpm 115kph the bars are as smooth as silk. No matter what I did the bike was calm, collected, composed and confidence inspiring. Roll on the throttle from 100kph and in no time you are up to 160kph. roll-in on corners is without issue, pick your line and it stays where you put it, want to change mid corner, counter steer lightly and it goes where you want, tighter or looser did not matter it went there.
After 200km I decided to try S mode - now I am telling you, this ride would eat my Harley for breakfast and still want more. traction control set at 1. first gear rolling, open throttle fully, my oh my, traction light blinking - 7500rpm shift and do it again in the next gear. this thing puts it to the ground 180kph in the blink of an eye ???. ya want to pass, drop a gear or two and what ever was in front of you is rapidly dispearing in the rear view mirror ???. This is a very capable ride. I am soooooo happy I bought this bike :exclaim: :exclaim: :exclaim:
