12/06/2017.
Time 07:00. First ride with Mountain Runner flash. Temp. 21 degrees F, humidity 90%, barometric pressure 30.8 and rising, wind 6mph.
Set throttle slack exactly as requested, warmed in garage to idle of 1100 rpm. Radiator not blocked off. Tire pressure 41/41. Ethanol free 102 octane.
2 bars on temp. gauge showing. Route to work 12 miles, 7 at 30-40 mph, 5 at 60-70 mph.
Engine temperature dropped to one bar and stayed while the ambient air temperature readout bounced between 21 and 18 degrees F.
First impressions:
Shifting through 2 up felt smoother.
Did not really get on it but revs felt stronger and pulled harder through the gears up to shift point of 5-6K. Engine braking/throttle choppiness was most notably reduced, way better! No deceleration popping at all noticed. Fuel economy stayed right around 35 MPG.
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Time 15:30. Ambient temp 36.5 degrees over 15 mile trip home, 90% 60 MPH and above. Humidity 62%, Barometric pressure 30.8 and falling. Wind from the NE @8MPH. Tires at 41/41. Fuel:
Second impressions:
Bike is much smoother shifting without even trying. 20% (a** dyno) stronger/faster pulling through the bottom 4 gears.
From standing stop revving/shifting to 8K in 1, 2, 3,4, felt very strong and sport bike like, shifting into 5th it still pulled hard but was climbing a bit slower to the 8k shift into 6th at what I believe I saw was 137 MPH indicated. Felt the drive drop off as designed with the gearing, had plenty of room in 6th to keep going on the motor but not so much the road…slow truck a** end approaching quickly. Mind you this day was bright but any roadway that did not see direct sun still had frost on it.
Entered onto the freeway and nailed it to 9K in 2nd and third with ease, then short shifted as 120 was too easily reached and is usually frowned upon. After only these 2 short stints I am well pleased. Mainly the smother shifting, vastly reduced engine braking and stronger pull from gear to gear is what I need/want from the Fat Ninja. Better MPG as reported remains to be seen and will only be icing on the cake. Next time if I get a weather window of opportunity I will run some lower octane fuel and block the radiator with something, Steve says it will really work then but it might be pushing the limits of traction for the cold Bridgestone rear.
Side note:
Getting rid of the crappy, hard, cupped BStone front tire and replacing with a half worn, track ridden Dunlop Q3 made a huge difference in front end feel in the good direction!
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