110 miles on MT09SP

[NedSVS]

Originally Posted by Seeker

135 lbs/ 61.2kg nekkid, my gear adds 12 lbs/ 5.4kg.

Could this be the problem? I think so; you are well under average weight. You can put all the adjustment you like on your suspension but if the springs are not right for your weight, well, it is always going to be a compromise. You could eat more pies

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

It seems to me that the OP is expecting his bike to do something it was never designed to do....

Hence the sub title: Expectations versus reality

Originally Posted by Red Herring

The rear SP shock spring is actually softer than the standard MT09

...and comes set with the preload already on the minimum setting, which I thought odd. I don't mean it had been adjusted to that, I mean you cannot set it any lower.

Originally Posted by Red Herring

Are you really sure this is the bike for you?

I'm starting to have doubts but I'm not ready to give up yet. I made the mistake before the last ride of setting everything to Yamaha's idea of soft. Initially on smooth(ish) roads it was tolerable, on bumpy roads it was horrendous. I've returned the settings to factory with the exception of front rebound damping and I'll experiment with one adjustment at a time (and then take it to Reactive Suspension in York when I realise I have no idea what I'm doing )


My problem is that when you read road tests road holding is prized above all else and comfort barely gets a look in. So assuming I've bought the wrong bike I don't see what would have been the "right" bike. Most road tests put the Street Triple R (my other possible choice) as being (ahem) "sportier" than the MT09. I was looking for a bike that was light (check), good seat height (check), local dealer (check), adjustable suspension (well, it is adjustable).

Yamaha seemed to have succeeded in adding maybe £1500-£2000 worth of suspension components and made it nearly as comfortable in ride quality as my AL7 SV. I'm not saying the SV handles better, the Yamaha feels more solid but at the speeds I ride it makes little difference. I've got a hooligan bike but don't ride like a hooligan.

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by Seeker

..... I've got a hooligan bike but don't ride like a hooligan.

And there I was trying to think of a polite way of suggesting that.....

It's well known that the standard settings on the SP are pretty harsh, but I believe they can be backed off to provide a taught accurate ride on most British B roads without modification. Something I didn't ask and should have, what tyres has it come on? Tyres can make a huge difference to feel, Dunlop's for example tend to have quite stiff sidewalls (I like them) but Michelin's tend to be known for providing a softer ride......

[Adam Ef]

And tyre pressures too. A few psi lower can make a huge difference, depending on the characteristics of the chosen tyre.

[shiftin_gear98]

Or, just unleash the inner Hooligan and crack on.

[SV650rules]

You probably need a cruiser

[shiftin_gear98]

Harley

[redtrummy]

No one need a Harley! (just my personal opinion)

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by SV650rules

You probably need a cruiser

yes, they are renowned for their long suspension travel.

[Seeker]

I heard back from Reactive Suspension who said he'll be able to take a look in August but he didn't sound impressed with the bike, in his experience Yamaha's marketing far outperformed the product. Still, at least I'm greasing the wheels of the economy...(sob).