[Half Squid]

First short ride review:
Took her out on the back roads to Moto Market, did a drive by and headed home shivering. Logged 58 miles total.

This thing is way too easy to maneuver in the twisties! You can throw this machine over at any point with any apex point you feel like and she'll easily carve in and give you a smooth comfortable drive through your turn... The bike is perfectly balanced and seems extremely light to flick from side to side through corners, it’s like riding my CRF250 with street tires. I didn't find any soft spots in the throttle at all, it has a nice smooth transition of power anywhere in the RPM range in any gear! (Although, I have not tried fifth or sixth yet..)

I do think there is something wrong with the front end, the front wheel is hard to keep on the ground. First and second gear has wads of torque in the low end range and gets up and moving in a hurry. I scared myself with the first quick take off, I thought the bike was going to shoot out from beneath me when I twisted the throttle. I actually think first gear is to short and has too much low end power. Just one one those things I'll have to get used to.

Riding position is extremely comfortable, the seat is plush like a couch, and the wide bars make turning and handling a breeze. I actually can compare the riding position like a soft bar stool with my feet up on the lower bar and a pair of handle bars perfectly positioned so there is absolutely no strain on my arms or wrists.

The one thing I can say I do not like is the vibration I feel in the handle bars. I know there is absolutely nothing I can do about it, except get used to it. It's not as bad as a Buell or a Harley where your Mirrors vibrate enough to blur your rear view vision, but enough as to wear my hands almost felt they were getting numb. Maybe a thicker more cushioned hand grip would help? The grips on it now feel nice and soft, so I am not sure I will find anything that would help improve this issue?

Roads were wet and it was cold out so this was a very easy ride (mostly!), more to come after more miles this weekend in warmer temps and dryer roads hopefully!

So far I like it and came home with a smile.

[BMFR6]

weighted bar ends??? just a thought for the vibration. never used or researched them myself so i have no idea. glad you like the bike

[SVRACER01]

get one of those bar snakes for the vibes. thast cool mike. im jealous. hope you let me take it for a spin this summer

[SVRACER01]

Stop Bad Vibes with Bar Snake! ©2006 CP Products

[l3uddha]

if you've got a 7/8" bar, maybe take a look at some GS500 barends. they're friggin huge & heavy.

I actually think I've still got mine if you want 'em. free if you can figure out how to get them.

I think they're a tad scuffed, one of the bolts is bent, and I've lost the rubber inserts... but they're freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

[Half Squid]

Originally Posted by SVRACER01

Stop Bad Vibes with Bar Snake! ©2006 CP Products

SWEET!!!!!!!!! Thank god for the internet! I would have never found out about that product!

Thanks for the link, I think I will try it out!

[ssg]

Check out the manic salamander bar ends, or Fasst Flex bars

[bigred875]

nice write up....i put some lead shot in my bars....a trick i saw on my z1k board. I have some left over if you want to so it....

[Hoss]

nice write up....i put some lead shot in my bars....a trick i saw on my z1k board. I have some left over if you want to so it....

Yeah, I've heard of a lot of Z1 guys doing that (after researching a bit when my father complained about his).

Thanks for the review

[bigred875]

i have a ton of the stuff left if you want some....

[sandman]

Originally Posted by Half Squid

SWEET!!!!!!!!! Thank god for the internet! I would have never found out about that product!

Thanks for the link, I think I will try it out!

if those dont fit i've seen solid brass stock wraped with orings fitted into the ends of the bars.

i have them on one of my ktm's the on the duke i just deal with it.

sweet bike, i was very close to getting one.

how much was it?

may be it's time to upgrade the duke?

[richw]

I am jealous perfect bike for New England real world

If the timings was better I wanted to be a Katoom buyer

That or the SM but not really here when the old Yammi went

[Paul_E_D]

Fill the bars with sand... or shot.

[tonyd]

Any one ever own a DukeII, I'm thinking of buying a 2001 for sale in my neighborhood. Any thoughts?

[ChR1s]

re: Duke II

Duke II Intro

[Triumphdog]

I found the bars on my triple had a nasty vibe to them also. I changed out the bars, grips, and risers. That seemed cut down the vibration bit.

Carpimoto a great site to find all the Euro styling to dress up the new naked. I've ordered thousands of $$$ worth of goodies from there. Everything I ordered came from Italy and took 3 days from the day I ordered to ariving on my doorstep.

[sandman]

Originally Posted by tonyd

Any one ever own a DukeII, I'm thinking of buying a 2001 for sale in my neighborhood. Any thoughts?

i've got a 02

what do you want to know?

the stock carb sucks, all though i cant tell you how much cause i replaced it before i ever rode it.

[sandman]

Originally Posted by ChR1s

re: Duke II

Duke II Intro

his exhaust mod looks like shit.

my plate is mounted higher than his with two lights and i still get bothered every now and then.

[Tabby]

Originally Posted by Paul_E_D

Fill the bars with sand... or shot.

+1 Oldy but goody. After putting in the sand or shot, seal the ends with some clay. How much clay? To taste. Cheap and "adjustable".

[tonyd]

Originally Posted by sandman

i've got a 02

what do you want to know?

the stock carb sucks, all though i cant tell you how much cause i replaced it before i ever rode it.

Just looking for your general impression, anything to look out for? I know there is not alot of power there but how's the handling? Am I better off going with a DRZ400SM?

[sandman]

i ride a r1 hard and wouldn't say the duke is underpowered, although the drz is.

it's a lot of fun, especially on very tight and twisty roads.

and there's currently no harassment, like on the sportbike.

[Half Squid]

I logged in 425 miles Saturday in Southern Vermont with the G/F and a few friends.
This bike handles well, I just need to tweek the suspension a little to be perfect. Just like any other bike. This bike is no slug! I was tearing it up pretty good on her all day and think it's a great twisties bike! Wooohooo!