Long-term report, volume 3
01 July 2008

Yet again I must appologise for my slackness in the updating of this long term report. The last few months have absolutely flown by, with reviews, Super Battles, website upgrades and the like. Unfortunately I have been lax in my other duties.

So... work on the mighty address has been very basic, with some minor cosmetic surgery to tidy up the back of the machine. I decided that the back of the Suzuki was looking a bit lardy and I absolutely hated the long obtrusive rear mudguard. Some minor manipulation with a hacksaw and file and the rear mudguard became a short licence plate hanger.

The existing rear carrier was never going to be of any use to me... the large underseat storage area and stepthru giving plenty of carrying capacity for my uses... I decided to tidy that up as well. The carrier doubles as the pillion grab handle so with some more liberal use of a metal cutting device I trimmed it down to include just the pilion handles. I then stripped the black coat of paint off what remained of the carrier. Stripping the paint revealed a very attractive almost bronze coloured steel. I clearcoated this to provide some corrosion resistance.

Overall the total transformation is decidedly pleasing... at least to my eyes. The only real downside is the rear tire does throw a bit of spray up the back of your jacket and onto the back of the bike in rainy and generally inclement weather. This weather is showing itself more frequently now that we are smack in the middle of winter.

Fuel consumption is still good and with the fuel price now over $2.20 per litre the tank costs just over $10 for the average fill. The bike has now done well over 5000km and is going strong. The only problem appears to be a slightly stretched drive belt but as this is self diagnosed I will get Suzuki to check it at the next service.. due at 7000 kms. Other than that I still have no complaints

 

Long-term report, volume 4
20 March 2009

Well, 10,000 kms down on the mighty Suzuki UZ125 and the factory fitted Dunlop rear tyre finally gave up the ghost. This gave us the perfect oportunity to test out something new and exciting... well some new rubber.

I never had any real problem with the original tyres, however when Derbi (our local Conti importer) sent out a Twist for the rear I was VERY impressed. You see it is easy to be happy when there is no comparison available. So I had the Continental fitted up and gave it a few hours of gentle riding to clean off any untoward slippery stuff (there wasn't any, the tyre was excellent from the minute it went on) and get the tyre worn in a bit.

Long story short I was instantly comfortable with the level of grip, to the point where I was using the entire width of the tyre almost instantly. Lean angle is progressive and confidence inspiring and the level of grip is incredibly good, at no point did I even worry about the possiblility of the rear letting go.

The wet weather grip is also admirable, I don't like to push the bike on the road in the wet but in normal day to day riding with a slippery road the tyre felt plenty stable which is a fantastic with the Auckland winter advancing at high speed.

So if you are needing a serious road tyre for your scooter, just go buy a twist, they really are that good!