Thanks dmonkey for pointing me over to that forum post in regards to shifting, it's already helped greatly!
FizzBuzz, like the interview question?
Yup, Yup! I've always had a knack for computers and like using Linux. I've gone by this username for a good while now.
I don't know if I've ever heard of someone getting a demo ride. This is a first for me.
I know the guys at the dealership (I've been there with my old man a few times before and got to know them) they pretty much tossed the keys at me since they knew when I said "I'll buy if I can ride it".
Some things to be aware of - idk if it's something to be aware of specifically, but the automatic clutch tolerance gap goes out fairly quickly at first. It's a very easy task to bring back into spec, takes about 30s, a 14mm wrench and a flathead screwdriver. Despite it being called a heel shifter, it's easier to tap it with your toe. You'll know it's starting to go out of tolerance when you start to have trouble shifting (missed shifts, stiff shifts). I carry a 14mm in my pocket most of the time because it really is that easy and there's a flathead screwdriver in the toolbox under the rack.
This is good to know, thank you! I've found it more comfortable for me to use my heel to shift. Might change with time.
Most people like to install the MP-01 Gold Plug on their bikes on the first oil change (or lean the bike all the way over and swap out the plug BEFORE the first change), although I don't remember offhand if it's short enough for the newer JA65 engine bikes. Like dmonkey says my throttle free play was "in tolerance" but there's a big difference between each end of the tolerance specification range.
I was debating about doing this, but probably after I get the 300 (or 600 by the manual) mile break-in run-- Not sure yet. Moreso since the 2023 model's engine is different as you stated.
The OEM tires are great for road, trash for off road. The headlight for night riding is like some people, pretty dim but meets the legal requirement.
I live on a gravel road, which often doesn't get graded until near the end of the year or if it rains pretty heavily. The tire actually does seem to do quite fine, which surprised me! It might be due to the lightness of the bike, it allows one to float over the gravel better. I was going 30-40mph consistently!
As for the light, yeah I don't think I'll do any night riding... Unless I absolutely have to. That's more-or-less my baseline for riding as as a whole since deer are allover here and I'd rather just... Not.
What I do with my trail - well, apart from test the limits of what I can get away with since no one seems to take me seriously, mine's mostly for commuting and running errands. I treat it like a big bicycle, sans riding it on bike specific trails. I also think this is a superb "first bike" if you're trying to learn to wrench.
The bike for me will be my alternative mode of transportation during the spring/summer/fall over my car where possible as it's far easier to maintain this little bike over a 1.8L toyota engine! I will also be using it to ride and potentially go "moto-camping" next year, as I want to go places and meet new people along the way. And perhaps convince people that you don't need a whole lot of power to have fun riding a motorcycle.
