Ok Here we go
Picked the bike up late last Friday and rode home to South Wales 110 miles. Bike totally standard, left the removeable baffle in. The bike is light and smooth with lots of power made from low down, it does seem to prefer to be at least 2500 rpm. Clutch on the R160 is Hydraulically operated, it was a bit snatchy at first you could hear the heavy springs clunk home each change. This disappeared after a few miles.
5000 rpm is about 87 mph. As soon as I got onto the motorway I noticed the bike was uncomfortable at 4500 rpm with the bike engine stumbling twixt and between something with constant throttle, you dont notice this on country roads because you tend to point and squirt more. To overcome this it is fine cruising at 70 or fine at 90 or pulling through 4500 it is smooth as silk.
Did 400 miles on Saturday and Sunday, breaking through 300 miles allowed me to run up to 7500 rpm, (illegal o'clock). The bike will comfortably out accelerate my pal's Gixer thou on the street up to the sensible speed ranges.
I did find the ride a bit harsh and also wondered why my chicken strips were so wide. I am aware that a 190 on certain tyres has a very steep side but what was going on. Check of the tyre pressure revealed 45 psi, this I dropped to 36 to match the front. I also backed of the compression damping one click, rebound was fine. I have yet to dial in the preload for correct sag.
Took it in for a service yesterday with 610 miles on it. Kept all the Euro 3 stuff, with this much power I dont need to worry about small gains or whatever. Also took the baffle out and I think they must have adjusted the throttle bodies and or the flap adjustement as well. Onto synthetic oil too.
Met up with Lee and his lush Titanium, at that time we had the two rarest Benelli TNTs in one place at the same time.
Journey home omg the bike is simply ballistic, with the baffle removed the bike feels totally responsive and lightning fast, Throttle movement instantly converted to forward thrust in any gear.
The best bit is the hesitancy and uncomfortable progress at a constant throttle at 4500 rpm is no longer an issue, clearly it was mapped in the factory without the baffle IMHO.
Hope this helps anybody who is thinking of an R160
R160 Update and brief review
JPF
Linear Mode
