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- Biker test: Jean-Michel
- General aspect
- 1st approach
- 1st wheel turns
- Highway
- Duo
- Technical side
- Braking
- Inflatable
- Revisions / Interviews
- Consumption
- Conclusion
Biker test: Jean-Michel
I
my name is Jean-Michel (JeanMi for close friends), from 42
but today in the 74 for professional reasons. I have
23 years old and the 1000 YZF Thunderace (born July 97) is my 6th
motorcycle since the age of 16 (when we fell into
being small! ! !).
The 1st was a 125 DTLC of 84 (still at the back of the garage
and which works as on the 1st day), the second a 250 GAS GAS (trial that
I kept 10 months), then an approved 250 YZ (that
I kept 11 months), a new 250 GAS GAS (enduro, that
I kept 10 months), and finally a 600 XJS Diversion (with
which I did 6000 km in 6 months) before acquiring this
1000 YZF Thunderace.
I bought this machine in March 2003 with 44,000
km on the odometer, and today, the beast does not display
less than 57,000 km at the dawn of 2004.
General aspect
This motorcycle is not trivial with in particular a relatively
showy. At first glance, he’s even a monster. When we
see the size of the fairing, that of the tank, we can
think that in terms of handling, it is not a
bike, but I would come back to it a little further.
However, it has a rather surly look, especially when it was released in
97, when the R1 did not yet exist. This is the reason why
is classified in the category of supersport; and she deserves
largely this category.
1st approach
When I bought the 1000, I was leaving a Diversion.
The change was therefore radical in terms of position.
However, after a few kilometers, I realize
that in fact, it’s more of a Sportivo-GT, especially compared
to Ducati and other Yamaha more hyper sport.
The seat is comfortable for the driver although a little slippery;
but in the end relatively well organized. For the passenger, the seat
is wide, comfortable but a little too much forward
and also too slippery. However, it is still
possible to go for miles without too much martyrdom to the pilot
and the passenger.
I’m not a giant but I’m still 1m80.
The legs are well placed and the knees do not touch the chin
! On the other hand, for the passenger, it is a little more raised
upwards, and for adults, cramps are guaranteed ! !
!
As for the wrists, the position is tip top for short
journeys. On the other hand the wrists suffer a lot over time.
measure kilometers. And this empire on the small country roads
well dented for which this machine is not at all
done.
Despite everything, it turns out to be very versatile
and less exclusive than expected. She knows how to keep her comfort when
you have to, and forget it completely when you want to type
inside. In short, for those who know, she is halfway between
an R1, GSX-R, ZX10-R … and an ST4 or a VFR.
1st wheel turns
A small turn of the key, a light pressure on the button
Start, and here she is breathing.
Some vibrations are felt just to show impatience
of the beast, to say to hurry.
As for impressions, nothing very special, put
share that we really believe in it! And when we come from a
Diversion, the first moments are unforgettable: thrills and impatience.
The 1st engages without too much difficulty, the hydraulic clutch helping.
flexible, the box is quite precise.
Despite its rather large size, it turns out to be
handy.
In town, her fat couple makes you forget that she is a sportswoman,
and in addition it is equipped with a 5-speed gearbox
relatively well layered.
Then if we start to show him 2 or 3 virolos, the machine
gets carried away. She wants to play but without ever making a mistake.
On the road side, it is TIP TOP regardless of
the tires.
When we start to chain the turns, she is a little
heavy to swing at first. But after a few hundred
kilometer, it’s a piece of cake, a blow to the right,
a blow to the left …, including when swaying.
The only problem in this case is the width of the tank.
But you also get used to it.
Highway
On the motorway, the ideal is to find a good position: not
too tiring, not too tiring. At first I could stay on
my cruising speed without being stressed, the nose
on the counter.
With this machine, the right speed on the motorway – cruising speed
– that is to say at a rate where the cervical
do not break down, is about 160-180 km / h in duo.
So at this speed today it’s not even
no need to think about it, it is direct prison management without
go through square one. And I can assure you that
130 km / h, we are horribly bored, and at a pint it is
heartbreaking !
Duo
The duo does not change anything on the bike. I have a passenger
which stands very well and with the large torque of the machine and
the box is never a problem. Whether
on small roads, in town, there is no need to play with the clutch:
a trickle of gas, and it’s off again as in 14.
For the passenger too, there is no problem either, On all
kilometers made with this machine, I did
at least the ¾ as a duo, and my girlfriend never told me "we
break your ass on your machine ”. This is what comforts me
dns the idea that the YZF is rather well placed at the level
duo.
Technical side
Training: I speak to you first of the training
because when I bought her she had one tooth missing
to the gearbox output pinion. And just a tooth, it changes
all ! To tell you, I’m sure my arms have grown (to
proof now when I walk, my hands are rubbing by
Earth ! ! ! ! !?)
No more joking, now I’m back home
and it’s going almost as well, the power comes less strong, and
in the wet, it is appreciable.
Braking
The motorcycle has aviation hoses. This is it ? but braking is actually
effective: "it really pulls out". On a big braking,
it would almost take your eyes off, it’s worse than a
anecdote from the Joe Bar Team for fans, "c’est pas du
sod braking ".
Inflatable
Regarding the socks, not much in particular, except
that it holds the road well, whatever the sausages.
I had super soft front / back (Dragon evo),
and I have not identified any problem except wear
premature of the latter, with less than 4000km for the
train.
I have since opted for soft at the front (D208 GP)
and a mixed at the rear (D205). At 5000km, the tire
front is peeled but the back is still good at ¾.
Revisions / Interviews
I had no major concerns. I am quite a handyman and I try
to do as much as possible. In short, it’s like all sports. Seen
that I do a lot of kilometers, it costs a lot in
tires, in oil change, in chain kit, although, for the chain kit,
it suffices to grease it very very often. I do it all
weeks and systematically after each washing of
the bike or after each rain, hoping to extend it
at each lubrication.
Consumption
As for the conso., Do not complain. During journeys
daily, I have to do about 260 km with the full tank (20l) and I am
sure i can go further, but it must be
the apprehension of running out of fuel. Otherwise, by typing
inside, I do about 200 km with the full tank. This is
rather 200 terminals, especially during long walks, it allows
to stop 5 min.
Conclusion
It is a relatively versatile motorcycle. She knows how to ride everything
gently without using the clutch. She knows how to stand in
turns, and above all it can roll very very hard
and above all very cleanly.
| Strong points | Weak points |
|---|---|
|
|
An experience told by Jean-Michel
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