petevtwin650

Prompted by the fact that several members have very recently passed their tests and been fortunate enough to buy a brand new machine. My question is:

Is a new bike better?

For: Guaranteed history, everything works as it should, dealer support if it doesn't, feel good factor.

Against: Brakes need bedding in, tyres too, lower top speed whilst running in, constant scanning of rev counter to ensure you're not overrevving it in the running in period, feel bad factor should you drop it.

In the olden days, some members may remember, you used to have a "Running In" sticker that you put on the rear of the vehicle but in these impatient times I imagine that as you bimble along at 65 (5k in top on an SV) there will be a vehicle inches from your rear tyre pressurising you to speed up. Not good for a newly qualified rider. Also cornering can be ruined, you set yourself up for a long sweeper then hit the RI limit and have to do it on a feathered throttle. Same with overtakes. Of course you can momentarily exceed the RI limit but is it an added pressure that a newbie could do without?

The biggest advantage with a new bike from a riding point of view, IMO, is that it gives you a chance to acclimatise yourself to it and to grow as the RI limits increase with the miles rather than getting on a S/H machine and being able to rag the proverbials off it from the get go.