Bikes run better with petrol!

[dyzio]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I might try that steady/smooth riding thing some time.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Basically screw the 'rse off it everywhere. Though one time on the Mway I managed to get 70 miles on a fiver, that would probably give similar mileage to tank to you.

I might try that steady/smooth riding thing some time.

Nah, just don't see the need to wring its neck all of the time.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by MattCollins

Must be something in the riding style. I am always on the high side of 200mi for around 15l used.

From an SV?

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I might try that steady/smooth riding thing some time.

Yeah right

Originally Posted by Stu

From an SV?

Yup... stock '09 pointy with bias ply tyres at maximum pressures, 16T CS sprocket, 70-75mph on an O-ring cruise control gets a fair bit more than 200mi from 15l on the highway. In town I refuse to thrash it from one set of traffic lights to the next or start it for a cold run down to the shops so still get good mileage. It is only when I go out to play on a twisty road that range drops to around 160mi.

The bike has just been fitted with a full system and a proper cruise control and it remains to be seen how either will affect fuel consumption. Flood waters are keeping the bike in the shed for now.

[Taipan]

S'not fair. I ride like an old woman and struggle to get 150 to tank full? Mind you it does leak when half full or above. I'm putting a new tank on tomorrow, so hopefully my economy will improve too!

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by MattCollins

Nah, just don't see the need to wring its neck all of the time.

Might as well get a car

Originally Posted by MattCollins

with bias ply tyres

No wonder you have to go steady then!

Chris, if you want to beat the crap out of your bike every time you get on the thing then go for it.

On decent suspension (racetech cartridges and shock) the 880's do better than most people give them credit. It was a little tricky getting the suspension right - the problem was that the tyres lack compliance so the suspension, especially the forks needs to be spot on. On stock suspension they were fairly average, but the bike was not exactly confidence inspiring to begin with.
Now they stick all of the way to the edges, lift the rear under brakes and don't have any nasty habits. They don't blister and come apart when running for extended periods in high temperatures like nearly all of the other Metzelers.
Their only downside is that they can be a bit of a handful on city streets when it is wet and cold - they need to be aired down considerably to get a bit of heat into them. Fortunately, I do very little of that sort of riding.
They'd be a poor choice of tyre in your part of the world, but not here.

[yorkie_chris]

It is stress relief
I am looking for that elusive 8th shade of sh**e to beat out of this GPZ I rode today. It is so dog slow you can't be gentle with it! And it's got a kawasaki badge on it, so it deserves it.

what do you think to the racetech shock? I looked at those but guy selling penske was happier to help with stuff.

Stress relief... I can understand that, although I tend not to take it out on the bike. I have a punching bag out the back for that... no, it's not the dog.

I really only have Ohlins to compare them to - a good product but IMO lousy support. I did it the hard way.
The plus (for me) when dealing with RT was that the guys who make them were willing to talk and offer real guidance on getting the springs and valving set up right for my bike configuration. They have done a bucket load of R&D on the SV so they have first hand knowledge of what works and what doesn't. They were also pretty good at listening. That is pure gold and worth the premium.
JMO, there are lot of good suspension products out there. The difference between good and great is the support and if that can be had, then it doesn't really matter which shock is on the bike.