IMO, test riders may tend to "see what this thing can do", not exactly what you want during break-in.

guenelin wrote:That must be the actual weight of the bike. Dry weight is 432lbs. there is no way that it can only hold 30 lbs. How much load can it carry?

an additional 463 lbs.

Shop manual says 210 kg (463 lbs.).

As long as you keep the revs above 3500 you can do just about anything. I haven't done any two-up with it (that's what my FJR is for), but I think you'll be happy.

vern748 wrote:

JohnB wrote: I don't want to be bothered with chain maintenance on the road.

Huuu

Has this ever been a concern ?

Well, you should clean/lube/adjust it every 600 miles.
Shaft drive maintenance is a drain/refill oil change once a year in my garage.

Welcome, Mike.

If you ask 10 riders these questions, you'll probably get 10 different answers. IMO, the Multi doesn't have enough wind protection for serious touring. Also, I don't want to be bothered with chain maintenance on the road. The accomodations are not that roomy for the passenger either ...

I picked up my black '08 1100s yesterday and am pleased with it. I ended up paying $11,000 for the bike and also ordered panniers, luggage liners, hypermotard pegs, glove box net, and centerstand.

I was disappointed to have to pay $700+ for insurance but that's the price for me where I live. I ...

davidg wrote:I'd like your stats. It costs to live in New York state and an urban area. No accidents or tickets.

Yeah, my rates are double that and I think I've got a pretty good deal with State Farm.

Although you pay a premium for the "S", it's far less than what you would pay to upgrade the standard model with all of the same items (suspension and carbon bits). So, if you have the money now, get it all at a big discount by buying the "S".

Will do John B. I have heard about the valve guide issue as well. I can contact the dealer in Medford OR, and inquiry about this bikes service record. The owner claims this was the dealer he purchased from and has performed the service. I haven't heard of anything else except the low fuel sensor ...

An '04 may have valve guide issues. See whether the owner has had them replaced. If not and the 6k, 12k and 18k service has been done, then your machine is probably not affected since the problem should have become evident by now.

Don't forget our friend Chad at Adventure Moto Stuff (www.amotostuff.com). He gave us a great deal and service for our first Staintune group buy.

The only thing more soul-less than the Versys are the dealers that sell them. Honestly, at least in my area, the dealers that sell the Japanese machines are the lowest form of bottom feeders in existence. Even worse are their so called service department "mechanics" that work on them. I know because ...

If Joe says that he can get them, he can. He is a strait shooter.

He was showing off a brand new Desmosedeci RR this weekend. He had to move a couple of Bimotas out of the way so it could be displayed as soon as you walked in. He sure has a nice selection of toys in his shop. Ducati, Bimota ...

I was at Supermoto Italia (St. James, LI) this weekend. They have a new, red 620 on the floor but it has a deposit on it. Joe, the owner, says he can get more new 620s.