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- Biker tests: François
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- The remarks (really for … the flies):
- On the handlebars
- First turns of the wheel, departmental, national, highway, solo and duo
Biker tests: François
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Contact
Ordered on photos, without having seen it except on the internet, you have to be crazy. But so much
worse, I let go, I wanted to. She fascinated me with her unusual look,
its gimbal (phew) and its big motor full of torque (the power, I don’t care, there are
has enough to wrap around a tree, but that’s not the goal). the
dealer had told me that there would be very few for this year, so I
was the first in the dealership to order it. I got it at the beginning of November from its
delivery. Other orders can wait, there won’t be any before the first one
quarter 2002.
Explanation: this motorcycle is manufactured at Yamaha Belgarda in Milan in a factory
with limited production capacity. This factory would, it seems, be reserved for
production of model models requiring a higher level of quality.
And that’s true ! What a quality of finish this Bulldog! Superb, she really
beautiful.
The assembly is more than nickel. Really nothing to complain about (well almost, trinkets,
I will explain to you later). Ex owner of a Suzuki 750 Inazuma I can’t stand
remember to do the comparison. And on every point the Bulldog is really a winner.
However, we must put it into perspective because the purchase price is not the same: 42,000 Fr against
60,000 Fr.
We go around: only aluminum or brushed metal, BTR screws almost everywhere
varnished metallic paint, junction between the different parts
impeccable, finally nothing is to be thrown away. The bike only has a side stand a little
short and it is quite inclined, to the point that we can and would like to put a
wedge to straighten it a little. It seems normal; on many Italians, it is
the same.
The dashboard is beautiful and well thought out. At night, it’s Versailles! Blue lighting
for counter and tachometer. Going from day to night, the bottom of the tachometer
changes from white to black. Red background for the kilometers and hours display. There is no
no fuel gauge but that doesn’t bother me because a reserve trip is displayed as soon as it
only 5 liters of fuel remain.
The remarks (really for … the flies):
- The throttle grip was very lightly greased what
resulted in games at the handle (lateral and in rotation). A little greasing and
everything is in order. - The brake cables, accelerator and right stems were really fitted
in bulk. I had to put everything in order. - The mini bubble is fitted as standard with plastic screws.
On first reassembly after having degreased the new screen 1 screw broke without forcing.
The 6 screws were therefore replaced by metal screws with plastic washers and
screwed on gently. - The nuts which attach the silencers to the rear footrests are green
khaki and really denote with all the screws of the motorcycle. On the Fazers there is
the same but chrome. But where was their head when they rode them ?
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On the handlebars
It is taller than the more impressive GSX 750 Inazuma. The position of
driving reminds me of my 600 Paris Dakar (big mono Honda): sitting upright, in the
motorcycle, the hands fall naturally on the handles and the feet touch the
ground.
Contact: I press the starter, (a little far from the thumb, for the horn, it is
same) and the Vtwin starts. What a beautiful noise! The sound of big mono and more muffled, more
serious. Nothing to do with the noise of the GSX "mixer" (I was happy with the
GSX, but I didn’t feel her live).
The seat height changes me from the GSX but the handling is really easy. The
230 kg does not feel at all. We ride well in the saddle and the engine pushes
very firmly all that.
I have already done 1000 km and I still enjoy the sound of the machine gun that it
produced when it resumes after exiting a turn from 1500 laps. There really is a couple
very firm but not violent. By doubling I open and it goes. I have the impression that there is
of the world pushing behind. The gimbal is absolutely not felt. Nothing
different from a chain except the maintenance which is almost zero.
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First turns of the wheel,
departmental, national, highway, solo and duo
This motorcycle is not made to take the motorway at 180 km / h even if it does
hit. His thing is the ride with the pleasure of feeling that it lives happily
down there. On the winding secondary roads a little bit stoned that I take to go
working is a treat. I take the turns at ease without hesitating to lean. With
Inazuma, I was not at ease. The slightest bump in a turn made her squirm.
With the Bulldog it goes straight over the bump. There is good rigidity of the frame and
efficient shock absorbers. In this regard, it seems that it is necessary to insert shims in the
Suzuki forks for better handling.
The departmental and national are the favorite terrain of the Bulldog.
The small windshield has its effect but no more. Beyond 130 we are not very well
protected. It may be necessary to put a larger one. This motorcycle is really very
manoeuvrable and very well balanced to the point that I can almost stand still. One
real bike. Impossible with the GSX.
It is not an airplane but rather a tractor which can run at 130 speed of
cruise: each to their own.
As for the solo or the duet, I did not see the difference.
In short, I’m really happy with it. She has everything for herself and for me. She seems
made to last
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Have a good trip with plane or tractor! Caution.
The technical sheet and the power / torque curves
comparative
An essay by François Jager
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