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Thanks to CRPNTR for my new Wee

756 views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  CAPTNDAVIE 
#1 · (Edited)
Thanks to CRPNTR (Jason) who sold me his Wee that was listed on ADV rider, he picked me up Friday May 28 at the Nashville airport, accepted payment, and I was on my way.

My new Wee is a 2007 gray w/KTM front fender, full Leo Vince, Acerbis handguards, Fastways pegs, K&N, 12V, heated grips, TKC 80s, Givi crash bars, and many other cool farkles. When I got home a passenger back rest with sheepskin cover from Dan Vessell was waiting on my front porch. I also bought Givi E21 side cases for $90 on Craigslist to go with the SW Motech quick release rack Jason sold with the bike. I'll be using the Wolfman Peak tailbag, which I use on the XR, as it is a tidy look. Added a Cortech Super mini magnetic tank bag in black as I prefer the minimalist approach and my GPS also pokes out.

I rode home to Ballston Spa, NY in 1.5 days (1100 miles). Not quite a saddlesore 1000 but a good ride on a great bike. Weather included hail (really), over 300 miles of rain, and otherwise perfect temperature. I avoided all toll roads and enjoyed the ride.

Initial Impressions about the bike and mods:
After escaping the parking attendant Nazi at Nashville airport I started my journey immediately. I had ridden a Wee before and I immediately felt comfortable on my new bike. Nice! :yesnod:

About the comfort. I use ear plugs and didn't mind the wind noise at all. the bike has a gel seat. At 6'1" the stock Wee seat is too low but the gel seat is better. I did use my AirHawk most of the trip and wore cycling shorts and Anti-Monkey Butt powder. The Airhawk needed to be moved and air volume adjusted from time to time. Leg room is great and I used passenger pegs to stretch. Much better than my cramped VFR. Bar rise is awesome. I usually stopped every 100 miles (never less) to stretch, gas up, etc for 10-15 minutes. When I got home I wasn't very sore. I've felt worse after an 80 mile rider on my XR650L than after a 1.5 day 1100 mile ride.

I had rented a Wee 1.5 years ago and my new one rides about the same albeit with a deeper exhaust. If there is more hp, it is rather insignificant as its still not fast. The sound is plenty satisfying. This is the first bike I've owned in many, many years that cannot power wheelie, even with the light mods, despite almost double the hp of my XR650L. That's okay because this bike makes up for it and proves to me once again that motorcycling is a disease, no doubt, but one that I never want to be cured. :confused:

For those that say the TKC 80s suck in the rain, I have some thoughts after 300 miles of striaght raining on the first day I rode the bike. I had no trouble in the rain at all and I averaged 79-85mph (GPS confirmed). At one point I was so wet I stopped in Virginia at a laundry mat across from Pizza Hut, dried my clothes, ordered and ate some pizza then was back on the drier roads in an hour. Best stop ever!! :hurray: Thanks GPS!

About the speedometer, it runs about 5-6 mph high on stock gearing at (illegal) highway speeds, probably only partly due to taller knobbies affecting gearing a little. As a past owner of a VFR I say the Wee runs well on highway, is smooth, easy to rider and very comfortable.

Some notes on handling. Rear pre-load is cranked pretty tight (I weigh 225lbs). This bike was initially reluctant to turn-in on sharper curves and the partly worn rear TKC tire had a bad habit of unsettling when hitting tar snakes while leaned over, something my current XR650L nor my past VFR didn't do at all. When I got home I adjusted the tire pressure to 36F/40.5R per Continental's website, with better results but still could be improved. Raised the fork tubes 15mm (took 10 minutes) with great results. Now we're talking! Now its both nimbler and more settled. Compared to the VFR the steering is still Camry-light rather than BMW tight but it does handle like a competent light bike should.:thumbup:

I've taken this bike off road twice. Compared to the Wee I rented which had OEM Death Wings, my TKC tires are impressive. The bike is very stable. I can wheelie (off road only) on grassy sections or over bumps. The Pro Taper Hi ATV bars with the big Fastways pegs makes for a roomier bike when standing. Will it jump? No way. But my XR doesn't jump well either. It does feel like a stable bike in dirt however.

Last night I changed my plugs, cleaned and re-oild the K&N, changed oil and filter and will be fitting ASV c5 shorty clutch and front brake levers tonight (OEM rub on Acerbis handguards). I love 2-3 finger levers and they should fit better.
 

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#4 ·
Thanks Jon. The farkles he chose were all up my alley, hence my willingness to fly in and ride so far to home.

And rain or shine, I plan to be there this Saturday. lookin' forward to meeting you and some others.
 
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