First ride finally!

[Bogus]

After sitting in the garage and getting farkled over, finally got to get her out for the first ride of the year. Lots of frost in the ground yet and about 45 degrees so I was pretty conserative in the corners. Just a couple of observations for the short 50 mile ride. Played a little with the suspension and from the few adjustments I made, it seems these legs are set up better even in the default setting than the 08 was. Still trying to master navigating the screens. The difference between sport and tour mode is very noticeable. Tour mode has a much softer throttle response, and even in sport mode the throttle response from closed to beginning to open is much smoother than the 08 was.. Actually was too short of a ride to pick any one thing to critique, but overall the 14 seems to have a greater refinement from Gen ll's. No regrets getting it!

 

[MartyO]

You'll get the hang of it. Lots of buttons for the left hand. Still honk the horn sometimes trying to cancel the cruise control. I agree the suspension folks did a great job setting it up. I'm over 4,000 miles now and find I use the standard setting on long freeway drives, then flip it to the firm +1 for the tighter stuff. Have fun.

 

[Chiefblueman]

Bogus, I'd have gone nuts having that spankin' new ES sitting in my garage and not being able to ride it! Congrats. I'm sending good weather energy to the Dubuque, IA area.

I hope somebody will find something to bitch about regarding these ES's. It may help to save my marriage

 

[escapefjrtist]

Good for you Bogus!

Lets hope spring arrives on time and all of us can get some serious (s)miles on these great machines.

Enjoy the new ES!!

--G

 

[Bogus]

Got about 200 miles on now (damn cold weather just won't let up), and a couple more observations. The clutch pull seems to be easier than the 08. The clutch engagement is not as grabby as the 08 was either. The transmission shifts smoother than the 08 ever did, and I kept up with the maintenance on the 08's lever and shaft pivot points. I also transferred the shorter R1 shift lever to the 14. Navigating the menu is getting easier. The electronic cruise control is awesome too! Not exceeding 4500 rpm's for extended periods is not really difficult, but I have run it to around 5500 occasionaly while upshifting, and it really wants to GO! I really take it easy in the corners since there is still frost in the ground, but warmer weather will prevail....eventually.

 

[Torchsport]

Cant wait to get mine this summer.

Also cant wait for said summer...

 

[SkooterG]

Clutch pull got easier with the 09 model when they went back to the Gen I slave cylinder.

Gen III is definitely a significant improvement over those POS Gen IIs.

 

[Top_Speed1]

...............but warmer weather will prevail....eventually.

R U sure about this?

I'm from Missouri, show me

Congrats and glad you are able to ride (at least somewhat).

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Gen III is definitely a significant improvement over those POS Gen IIs.

True. But the Gen III is leaps and bounds ahead of those archaic Gen 1s and the mean people that ride them.

Actually, the '14 ES is the most wonderful motorcycle I ever had the privilege of riding.

 

[RadioHowie]

Gen III is definitely a significant improvement over those POS Gen IIs.

True. But the Gen III is leaps and bounds ahead of those archaic Gen 1s and the mean people that ride them.

Don't go there if you've never been there!!! :***:

 

[JamesW]

My problem on my gen 3 was turning on the four way flashers till I got used to the new starter switch.