Long-Term Update
Long-Term Update
APRILIA SL 1000 Worth the wait
EVER SINCE APRILIA BEGAN SELLing motorcycles stateside, we've been lobbying for a long-term test. Unfortunately, the company’s American arm has never had enough testbikes available to give one up for a year or more.
Following a recent discussion with Aprilia Export Area Manager Mark Wilhelm, however, we finally scored an SL1000 Falco that had completed its rounds at the magazines. In fact, it’s the very same bike we tested in our July, 2000, “3x3” issue.
Granted, it has a few more miles on it now than then, and it’s not entirely stock, our friends at Motorcycle Online having installed a set of factory carbonfiber slip-ons and a new EPROM chip in a bid for increased performance. Which is fine by us, because the first thing we did was tape over the Falco’s lights, spoon on a set of Dunlop D207 GP Stars and spend two days roosting around Buttonwillow Raceway with
Club Desmo. Aside from footpeg feelers that literally were ground away, the bike performed flawlessly. Of course, it needs tires again, so we’re going with a new set of the OE Metzeier MEZ3s. At least until the next track day...
HARLEY Dyna Y-Sport Ready to rumble, finally!
WHEN LAST WE LEFT OUR LONG term T-Sport, it was headed to the local Harley-Davidson dealer for a big-bore 1550cc kit, fresh Dunlop 401s and 7500-mile service. Also, a saddlebag snap had come adrift, the battery no longer held a charge and the speedometer face was inexplicably melting. Yes, melting.
Two months later (!), our testbike was finally ready. The service and $1586 engine upgrade presented no problems, but replacing the speedometer with its digital odometer turned out to be a big deal. In fact, the original unit had to be returned to the factory where it was exchanged for a new one set to the same mileage. Still, two months...
At least the mechanics had time to replace the snap and diagnose the electrical problems, right? Not a chance. All they did was reposition the positive battery cable! With bump-starting becoming routine, we took matters into our own hands. Removing the primary inspection cover, we smelled the problem: a burned-out stator. A new battery, voltage regulator, stator and fresh primary lube cost $264.53. This, on top of the $646.50 we’d already spent at the dealership. At least there was no charge for the new speedo, the need for which still has the folks back in Milwaukee scratching their heads.
YAMAHA FZ1 Fazer set to stun
WHEN YAMAHA ISSUED US AN FZ1 for our "4x4" comparison this past June, it wasn't long before staff members were requesting that the YZF-R1-derived standard stay on as a long-term mount. Approval for an extension of loan arrived in the form of several Yamaha Genuine Parts and Accessories items for the FZ1.
Early comments in the logbook about the bike’s tall saddle height and high handlebar we hoped to easily address by installing the accessory Corbin Saddle ($399) and 1-inch-lower bar risers ($85). While the lowered bar drew favorable reviews with the stock seat in place, the Corbin’s dished saddle seats the rider farther from the bar for a hunched-over riding position. Being wider than stock, the accessory seat spreads your legs further and makes the bike feel even taller at stops. Also, the seat’s blue rear portion-intended to simulate a solo cowl-fails to match the bike’s paint. Fortunately, an all-black version is also available.
With 3350 miles on the clock, the rear Bridgestone BT020 radial is wearing thin in the middle. But steering remains surprisingly neutral, even though the rear tire has developed a squared profile from too much freeway droning.
