The Naked Experience

So today I commuted into London on my nice new shiny SV. "So what ?" I hear you cry...

Well for the first time I wasn't going head first **** up through the traffic. I am now another inch or so higher and I can easily look over the top of the cars. Despite the ultra wide (yes they really are very wide) Renthal bars I soon be accustomed to filtering through the traffic, it doesn't take that long to get the confidence to push through the gaps. It's done about 160 miles now, not bad since Thursday afternoon, especially as I lost my weekend pass due to the ongoing decorating needing to be done

Cornering..... Nobody told me that nakeds can turn like this... Those wide bars give so much leverage it's amazing how quick you can change directions, and the cornering experience is so different too, I'm not sure if it's because you seem higher up, but I do feel that I'm leaning further than I expect to, but again, this may be to do with the amount of counter steer that I'm applying....

However, what I really noticed this morning was the looks.... Cage drivers, scooter riders and other bikers all gaze at the bike, it's a wonderful feeling. The styling is quite subtle but seems to have worked very well. I guess the ultimate came from a guy on an S2R "That's a lovely looking bike mate", from a Ducati owner, I was enjoying my ride in.....

So, is better than it's stable mate, my RR3 FireBlade ? No, but it's different because they do different things. My wife has a light and sporty 1.4 Fiesta which I enjoy driving because it's fun. Mt Vectra SRi on the other hand is a bit of a more "serious" car, much better equipped and better for longer journeys especially at speed. Well that's sort of the difference between the two bikes. One is great for few hours fun at a time and nothing too serious, the other delivers power and precision for a more specialised type of riding.

I realise that I am a very lucky guy, having two bikes that offer so much difference in road riding. I'm looking forward to this summer, commuting in lighter weight gear on the SV, and then being able to take the 'Blade out for some "serious" riding, track days and touring.

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Don't forget: depending on the roads you choose, you can do "serious" riding on the SV too! My favourite roads have a 'B' prefix.

yeah the naked sv loves b roads, i might have to start a club soon (the Naked SV Owners)

Yes on B roads, a well sorted SV can keep up with virtually anything, which just sooooo annoys R1 riders .

Glad you liked it Steve, head in the air and wide bars do it for me every time. Now all you have to do is get that front wheel off the ground .


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naked, retro, call it what you like. does it for me especially with the renthals. roll on summer.

Caught on camera.......

The Jelster Guide to Commuting (big streaming video, not for the narrowbanders, SORRY!)

etc. etc.

an interesting point here, I've never ridden anything that wasnt a sit up and beg naked.

Those new fangled "clip-ons" are certainly going to be interesting

Tell me more of those Renthal bars that you have fitted!

Did you need to fit new cables etc?

Originally Posted by haggis

Caught on camera.......

The Jelster Guide to Commuting (big streaming video, not for the narrowbanders, SORRY!)

etc. etc.

That was Jelster?


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Nah, I'm faster than that....

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