Long-Term Update

Long-Term Update

YAMAHA YZF600R Wonder Whizzif

TWO YEARS AGO, WE CALLED YAmaha’s YZF600R one of the Ten Best Bikes in America, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved upon. The “wrists” on staff wanted to firm up the suspension, over the protestations of the rest of us, who liked the YZF’s plushness. A phone call to Fast By Ferracci (215/657-1276) secured Hyperpro fork springs, a liter of 10-weight oil and a shock spring. Well, the speed boys were right: Installing the springs upped the Whizzif s backroad quotient, with little or no deterioration of its freeway/aroundtown ride. Consider it $299 well spent.

Next up came a set of bright-white Dymag wheels from Superbike Racing (912/242-0666) onto which we spooned sticky Avon Azaros ($324). Things we didn’t like: the lightweight wheels’ rough casting, thinly applied paint, and the fact that the rear came with a racespec #520 sprocket, forcing us to hunt down a matching countershaft sprocket and chain. This, on top of a bank-busting purchase price of $ 1690. The look is 100 percent Spiff City, though.

Still on the cosmetic front, Second Look’s color-matched seat cover ($70) has proven a positive addition, though we wish the white seat panel lined up better with the tailsection’s graphics. Second Look (916/331-5665) also chipped in with a blue tankskin ($80) to protect against zipper scratches.

Mechanically, the Yamaha just keeps pluggin’ along.

List price:..................$7399 (1997)

HONDA CBR1100XX Speedy sport-tourer

WE’VE GOT TO GET ONE OF these for a long-term test,” proclaimed our managing editor, fresh from a triple-digit excursion on the much-ballyhooed Super Blackbird. A few months later, Honda obliged, and a testbike was delivered to the CW offices with 4641 miles showing on the odometer. Although its swoopy body was damaged (tie-down straps had abraded the front fender and upper fairing), and the gas tank was scratched, the bike was a top-notch roadbumer. Staffers praised the precise steering, sport-oriented seating position and spot-on spring and damping rates.

Some 7000 miles later, the big CBR continues to impress, especially its powerplant, a hell-for-naught 1137cc inline-Four. Undoubtedly, this liquidcooled dynamo will go down in history as one of the homiest-and smoothestrunning-motorcycle engines of all time. Indeed, pickup is positively amazing. Ditto reliability: We haven’t done a lick to the beast, save oil-and-filter changes.

Improving the bike’s sport-touring capabilities was an afternoon operation. Givi’s more protective windscreen ($88) and color-matched E360 Monokey saddlebags ($660) are true bolt-ons. Same for the taller Heli Modified handlebars ($239), which, despite greatly upping comfort, aren’t as nicely finished as the stockers. Now, if we could only do something about the nagging driveline lash...

List price:................$11,499 (1997)

DUCATI ST2 No news is good news

WE HAVE HAD OUR LONG-TERM Ducati ST2 a couple of months now, and are pleased to report that the miles are accumulating much more rapidly than the problems. So far, the only parts we’ve had to replace have been a burned-out high-beam bulb ($8 for a brighter 100-watt halogen lamp from the local foreign car specialist) and an errant fairing bolt and washer (61 cents from the hardware store).

In terms of maintenance, we performed the compulsory 600-mile service, filling the crankcase with 3.5 quarts of 10W/40 Agip SINT 2000 GPX ($7.25 per quart!) and screwing on a factory oil filter ($12). We also reaffixed the velcro securing the toolkit under the seat, and reset the digital clock to Pacific Standard Time.

As we reported in our initial road test (CW, December, 1997), we felt the stock 748/916-derived shift lever was too short. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones to voice that criticism, because the factory has since issued inch-longer M900 levers to all ST2 buyers at no cost under warranty. Much better. We also effectively reduced front brake and clutch lever travel by freeing up and turning in the “fixed” adjusting screws, but we don’t advocate doing so-turning the brake lever adjuster too far potentially could cause the brake to drag (or worse, to lock!), with dire consequences. We’re working on a better solution, and will report findings in a future installment.

List price:......................$12,495