[Blackduc]

I just picked mine up two days ago. Here is a write-up of my first 550 miles on it;

Came outside yesterday morning and jumped on it at about 0900. Had 10 miles on the odometer. The first thing I noticed is how much higher it sits compared to the 749 I had. Started it up and it sounds like a mad cricket at idle. Very quiet and subdued. I plan on getting some after market cans when someone makes a set. I would like the stock cans a bit better it I got a more throaty sound at idle and if they came in a carbon fiber finish. No biggie though.

I should mention this first. I break in bikes like I ride them. First 100 miles in pretty tame. I hit the throttle then ease off kind of jerky. I have broken in every bike I have ever owned like this and havent had any problems.

I hit the backroads. Very nice seat. The only problem I have is a slight hump that seems to want to dig into my fuckin taint. I am sure that will get better once the seat gets ridden on more. Good riding position. Very comfortable. Stock suspension settings are a little hard. I was getting launched off the seat with every bump I hit. After a few adjustments bike sat a little lower and the suspension was much smoother on rougher roads.

This bike was made for blasting on country roads. Man the Michelen Powers that come wiht it are fuckin sweet. Very sticky and give loads of confidence. Hit the throttle in a turn or on a straight and hang the fuck on. Once you get above 5 grand and hear that howl from the dual pipes you know its on. Since it is a more standard riding position once you get above 120 your face starts to rip off because of no windscreen. I guess that is what it feels like hitting light speed and being the hood ornament on the Millenium Falcon.

Oh yeah, this is the easiest bike to wheelie I have ever ridden. Its almost a chore to keep the front end down when you peg the throttle. The front end gets very light at around 120 as well.

I headed up to Northern Maryland and cut over into West Virginia to see how it would handle sharper twisties. Handles almost as good as the Duc I had. The steering is very light, which makes for the better handling, IMO. Into the turns it holds a line perfectly. I was going over so far that I could feel the side of my Alpinstar stunts coming close to the deck.

I do miss clip-ons though and will probably change out the bars for clip-ons at the end of the summer. Not saying anything is wrong with the bars, I just prefer clip-ons.

Gas mileage, eh for a 1050cc engine I was getting around 35 miles to the gallon which isnt bad for the type of riding I was doing.

Couple of other things. The license plate bracket and the rear end is going next week. Its too big and makes the ass look cluttered. I am going to see about getting ahold of a wriing diagram to maybe manufacture an integrator for the signals.

To make a long story short its a great all arounder. I rode it though D.C. earlier today and it handled almost like a super-moto. I definitely recommend to anyone to pick one up. But, it isnt a beginners bike. I got mine for $9399.00. Not including tax and tags of course. For what it is that is a bargain IMO.