Is bigger always better!?
Finally getting the first 1000kms on the new grafted motor on the old bike frame, it was time to book in the bike for its first service. There is always a question in my mind as how to bed in a new engine. I’ve heard the two camps of mind: Where one says not to rev the bike over a certain amount of revs per minute, and another camp saying that you thrash the bike and dance up and down the revs to really give the one piston a range of work out. I’ve asked many mechanics and sales people this and I always seem to get differing answers. It can be a bit confusing and misleading, especially to a noob like myself. So I went for the safer, option and baby-ed the motor for the 1,000kms, no matter how much I wanted to rev its little heart out! Watching the little red light on the dash come on at every gear change is always fun! 😉 But maybe not the best for this poor-frankenbike at this stage.
Finally getting used to the fact that I no longer have the power or the torque feeling that the SV650 used to give me. But the most comfortable seating position, being able to put my leg down without getting speared by the pegs, and feeling that this bike is so light compared to the old (145kgs wet weight vs 280-290kgs), makes a BIG difference. This little bike may not have as much oomph, but certainly had flickability! (Is that even a real word!?). So the more it makes me think – is bigger always better? Or is that a case of “What she said!”?
Missing the power of a bigger bike to be able to go up hills and pass slow trucks in the blink of an eye… But alas – Is bigger always better?? Or is this a case of “that’s what she said!”? It definitely is a bike more suited to my frame and more proportional. If I didn’t know any better I would also say it’s more suited to my character too. Ultimately I think one can go a little too big, such as the bike at Mooball, NSW.
After getting the bike back from its first service, the first thing to do was to test out the new luggage system since it finally came in the post from India. They are Duke 390 worshippers there so interestingly, the amount of aftermarket parts there is much larger than in Australia. However trying to purchase said parts and getting it delivered is another thing altogether. I was very glad that this came with a couple of weeks before departure as so I was able to practice getting this on and off the bike, as well as how to load it up with my belongings.
The bags I decided upon for this trip was a frameless system called Dirt Sack Speedbags , of course in KTM Orange J 12L capacity on either side with a further 1L pocket and a reflective, waterproof oversleeve. For the seat bag, I decided upon a Ventura Mistral 47L bag.
One skill I am soon learning is depending on how you load the bike, where you pack certain things and what you pack can have a big bearing on the manoeuvring and steering of the bike. And also in this case, although I would like to take everything with me including the kitchen sink, I have also found that bigger in luggage, does not necessarily mean a good thing… too much weight it not good either!!
Touring Valvoline 