Yesterday I took a new red C5 on a 17-mile test ride. I waited to post this until after a day to let it settle in and lose any initial euphoria. It had 101 miles when I got on it.
I rode the C5 like it was mine, so the revs were varied and the motor wasn’t lugged. I went up hills (easy to find in Seattle) and around corners and got it up to a maximum 40mph for a brief time.
Here is what I liked in 17 miles:
- Most Everything
Here is what I disliked in 17 miles:
- Almost Nothing
I am almost 60 years young and am looking to ride off into the sunset on a single cylinder motorcycle. Here are the cc displacements of all my bikes since I was 16 years old: 90, 175, 500, 883, 1340, 1340, 492, 984 (almost got me killed), 744, 744.
Comments:
- A honest to God center-stand! I thought they vanished.
- The shop is TWO miles from home. Heh, I could coast downhill most of the way.
- The C5 falls into corners quicker than what I’m used to. That’s a feature, not a problem.
- The mirrors work well enough for me to not worry about them.
- The torque hits right off throttle, so short shifting will be the norm, so to speak.
- The motor pulls well. Plenty good enough for my riding pleasures.
- The sound and vibration are all correct for the theme of the bike.
- The suspension and springer seat eliminated almost all street imperfections.
- If the after-market pipe first shown on the C5 when it was intro’d is any good, I might switch. Otherwise I have no problems with the stocker.
- I wish the pegs folded up.
- Would 19 inch wheels help or hurt the handling? Looks?
Anyway, I’m pretty certain I will put some $$$ down on an incoming model. Stay tuned.