Running in CBF500

The official 500km run-in period specified in the manual is complete. Next destination is 1000km. But before that, let’s examine how did we do in the most important period of any motorcycle’s life.

So most importantly, overrevving is strictly forbidden. I tried to always shift my gears between 3,500 and 5,000 and have never went above 5,500. Note that max revs for CBF500 is 14,000.

Secondly, the engine should never be overloaded. This means rapid acceleration, heavy weight load (including a heavy pillion), and early gear switching should not be practiced.

Finally, the engine should always be properly warmed up and responsive before riding, especially after a garage night. 30 seconds of choke when starting the engine are enough to do the job if the air temperature is above 10° C.

Easy rules to follow and you have a solid machine that will serve for long.

The one difference that I notice between 3km mileage and now is that the engine sounds much smoother. This is a sound I like much better.

After the 1000th km the oil and its filter should be changed. In the meantime, I can allow myself a little bit more revs.

Riders on the Storm

Err, rain!

Yerevan has been flooded with rain this whole week, and even as I’m typing this there are gloomy clouds  up above.

But here’s the cool thing:

I love riding in the rain!

Last two days I have experienced the most pleasant ride on my current motorbike ever (yes, it’s been whole two weeks now I think), partially because it no longer feels like ‘who’s motorcycle is this?‘ (it’s mine, baby, and I’m everything but dead!) but mostly because riding in the rain feels so damn good!

The imposed carefulness and smoothness of the ride, the imposed extra attention, the feeling of survival, the mystery of the water-filled potholes, the raindrops vortex on the helmet visor, the smell of the rain on the coat and the gloves afterwards is just so addictive — you keep wanting to ride more and more and more.

What, the bike washing thing? Meh, screw it!