Long-Term Update
Long-Term Update
HONDA Interceptor Form and function
SAFE TO SAY, HONDA'S INTERCEPTOR has pretty much knocked our socks off. The fuel-injected V-Four topped July’s “World’s Best Streetbike” shootout, and won Best Open Streetbike honors in our 2002 Ten Best balloting. But would our enthusiasm wane over time? Good question.
So far, so good. After a weekend run to San Jose, Contributing Editor Allan Girdler noted, “First, has the speedo been tested? I ask because I cruised at 90 mph and it was so easy, with so much in reserve, and with so many cars keeping pace that I wonder if the fairing is that good, or the speedo is that optimistic.”
It is, and it is. Wind protection was made even better with a $75 Laminar Lip www.laminarlip.com. The inverted airfoil attaches to the stock windscreen with 3M Dual Lok fasteners, and redirects air over the rider to minimize turbulence. Good idea, especially for longer rides. High marks also to the $150 Rocket Locker Seat Sak www.rocketlocker.com. Designed to eliminate bodywork-scratching bungee cords, the 1000-denier cordura-nylon tailpack slides over the rear of the seat, and is secured with velcro flaps and two straps. On the small side for multi-day tours, it’s ideal for daily commutes.
$10,999
APRILIA SL1000 The Falcon flies
AVING GOTTEN A HANDLE ON OUR long-term Falco's touring capa bilities, we turned our attention to the “sport” side of the equation. Though the bike worked great at a fast street pace, it didn’t fare quite as well at track days, its somewhat limited cornering clearance and nose-high attitude leading to a pronounced front-end push and an occasional tankslapper.
Our first attempt at a fix involved taking the bike to Race Tech www. race-tech.com, where the stock Showa fork was upgraded with Gold Valves and the stock 1.05-kilogram springs replaced with softer 0.9-kg. units ($422 total).
Unfortunately, Race Tech’s technicians deemed the Falco’s stock Sachs shock unserviceable, so we turned to Penske www.penskeshocks.com, which set us up with one of its remote-reservoirequipped model 8987 dampers ($1150). This gave us both adjustable compression damping and ride height, neither of which the stock shock possessed.
While we were at it, we installed an Aprilia accessory steering damper ($238), plus a set of Galfer braided-steel brake and clutch lines ($218). In concert with the accessory O.Z. alloy wheels ($1550) and Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa radiais ($421) we’d fitted previously, handling is now about on par with a Mille R. And that’s saying something!
$11,299
SUZUKI V-Strom All in favor say, “Veee!’
THE V-STROM SURPRISED US DURING our recent “World’s Best Streetbike” shootout by just missing out on winning overall. In the process, it won everyone over, particularly Assistant Editor Mark Cernicky’s girlfriend Megan Wenski, who awarded it the passenger-carrier gold.
A relaxed riding position, positive, confidence-inspiring steering and a torquey, TL1000-derived V-Twin engine make this “multi-purpose” bike very attractive-who could vote against having it join our long-term test fleet? And with Suzuki’s accessory division promising some tasty goodies to go with this main course (saddlebags, taller windscreen, etc.), it will only get more versatile.
With the V-Strom, Suzuki dared to challenge the old adage, “You can’t please all of the people all of the time.” In our opinion, they’ve come close, and at a very reasonable price.
As loyal readers already know, longterm tests are our way of keeping you informed of all the What If’s, Maybe’s and How Come’s? Despite the fact that our V-Strom has been ridden daily since day one, so far there isn’t much to report. We changed the oil and filter at 3000 miles, but that’s it.
The miles are going by fast, however, so we’ll be able to quantify any longevity questions soon.
$8899
