Topic: Hush's new ride

[Hush]

My Chrissie present to myself turned up today in a bike mover van, I mean like no one ever really buys you what you want for Xmas so why not buy it for yourself?
I think after "Blondie" this one needs to be "Ruby" what else would you name a ruby coloured 1400 Suzuki?
I grabbed my riding gear and gingerly coasted out of my driveway, the forward controls will take some getting used to, nice that they delivered it with a full tank of gas which by my research gives me 150 miles on the bike shop, bummer that it is missing the steering lock key! The riding position is not as ungainly as I imagined, in fact you feel totally in control except when you come to a stop and you have to remember that your feet are now located somewhere up by the front wheel. Clutch is a #$%*, I'll have to reknew my gym membership to build up the left arm to operate it. It bgan raining just as I was settling into a nice rythm on the bike and that's when I discovered that the rear end don't like water, lost the arse as I applied the brakes, all good stayed in saddle. Not sure what a lot of the things do yet, I am not used to not knowing a bike from the wheels up as I rebuild it, I think there are some carbs somewhere under the tank! I'm on 3 weeks vacation from today so timing of delivery was perfect, 3 weeks to get used to "Ruby", but already my mates are heading to the Wanganui Cemetery Circuit for New Years day races and I'm being reminded that this is the reason I bought the cruiser, so may be a shake-down ride across NZ in 2 weeks time, hope it don't rain.

[Bob Wessner]

Nice ride there. Presumbably 1400 cc's?? If so, that's the displacement driving my entire car, be careful out there. 

[grcamna2]

Those are some "Tall" standing jugs on that power plant ! she must have all kinds of low end balls.

[Hush]

Yeah not so much speed but torque to burn.
Opened up the fake air cleaner cover and there should have been a full tool kit in there, but no, empty and the bike is only 5 years old?
I know guys who got 30 year old Honda's with the original kits intact!

[cb650]

Dad had a 900 before he got a shadow.  Said he liked it better.
A month or so ago a new member popped up on the 650 site from
your neck of the woods with a police bike.  Told him to get ahold of you.

[Hush]

My old 650 copper chopper went to a guy in Christchurch, hope he has a solid garage and lots of earthquake insurance.

[brooze72]

That's a nice cruiser, love the colour!  Take her easy at first, not sure I like the sound of a "Wanganui Cemetery Circuit" ride for your first go around!

[Stev-o]

+1, nice color. Good feeling getting a new bike, isn't it!

[grcamna2]

Hush,
          Do you have a good pair of soft saddlebags that will fit the passenger seat of "Ruby" for when you take that nice cruise across country ?
I imagine you will do a lot of "touring" sitting more upright & relax and see the journey as you go,hey ?

[Hush]

Yeah I have to admit that already I miss the hardbags of the 650, will keep my eyes out for some softies.
Just emailed the dealer and the PO has the steering lock key and the owners manual (which will be handy since I don't know my ass from my elbow on this bike) plus the missing tool kit so I'm really pleased withy that.
Still wierd feeling pulling the feet back and then down instead of just off and down at stops.

[scunny]

I'll keep my eyes peeled for blondie Rick. good to see you didn't piss about getting a new ride. Cemetery circuit should be fun as usual, ya gotta love street racing.

[Hush]

Hey Larry, I seriously played with the idea of flying down and after picking up new bike riding up with you to get GZ but time and an offer by the dealer to pay half shipping costs torpedoed that one.
 :DI think Shortshins has a mate on the ferry to bring GZ to you if you don't want to cross the strait.

[Really?]

That's perty!  Really!

[Grnrngr]

Ruby..Definitely a gem!!  Took a little getting used to the "cruiser" style of my Virago, but it is nice for long distances, I'm really quite fond of the lower back support the seat gives me. 

[Hush]

Hmm nasty grabby hydrolic clutch will take some getting used to as well! Not too confident of the disc brake on the back either, CB650 had brakes that you had to apply in writing a week before you needed them, these ones are instant!

[Really?]

Funny Hush!

[Hush]

Cannot complain about the dealer's service, today a courier package arrived from them, contents, 2 spare ignition keys 2 steering lock keys 1 owners manual 1 18 piece tool kit, apparently the PO "lost" the original so they boosted one from a showroom Boulevard.
The owners manual is handy, I've read it cover to cover and now know where bits are on the bike, like I never would have gone looking below the exhausts for the battery and there are two reusable air filters on the bike, one under the tank and one up in the steering head, they work like old motor mower ones in that you clean them with sopay water then soak in oil and ring most of the oil out before reusing them. Beats $80 disposable cardboard ones hands down. Good to know tire pressures and correct oils etc, imagine getting an "owner's manual" with one of the old SOHC4 bikes, just unheard of but damn useful! The how to section on oil and filter and final drive (shaft drive to me) is really handy as I have no idea how much service the PO did in the 5 years and 2000 klm he had the bike, not much by the look of the service papers, he didn't even get the first 1000 klm service done so voided his warranty...dickhead!