Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: notesfiles Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!whuxlm!whuxl!houxm!mtuxo!mtunh!mtung!mtunf!ariel!vax135!timeinc!phri!pesnta!hplabs!hp-pcd!hpfcmt!ron From: ron@hpfcmt.UUCP (ron) Newsgroups: net.cycle Subject: Re: Orphaned Response Message-ID: <19000008@hpfcmt.UUCP> Date: Tue, 18-Jun-85 18:20:00 EDT Article-I.D.: hpfcmt.19000008 Posted: Tue Jun 18 18:20:00 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 3-Jul-85 06:59:10 EDT References: <10043@rochester.UUCP> Lines: 35 Nf-ID: #R:rochester:10043:hpfcmt:19000008:37777777600:1829 Nf-From: hpfcmt!ron Jun 18 12:20:00 1985 What to start out on ...... another opinion on things to look for. I started out on a Suzuki GS425E twin. It was a very nice bike, the right size, enough power, reliable etc. However, after trading it in for an 82 CB900F I find that the biggest thing for my greater satisfaction with the Honda is not the power but the suspension. The ride on the 900 is orders of magnitude better for a couple of reasons. First, the mass of the bike means that bumps and crosswinds are not as large relative to the effect possible on the bike (i.e. same bump = less disturbance on board). Second, the suspension setup on the 900 is vastly superior to the one on my old GS. The GS had a very simple system with plain front forks and dual shocks in the rear. The only (easy) adjustment available was rear spring pre-load. The 900 has an air front fork and variable rate damping available in the rear. Third, the 4 cylinder 900 is just a smoother engine than the 425 twin. The GS was a bit buzzy at highway speeds and tended to feel like it was working hard (even though it really wasn't). I put quite a few miles on the GS and was very glad I started with it because the size was right but after a couple of years I was ready to move on because the feature set wasn't complete. Nowadays I suspect that you could find most of my objections to my old GS taken care of by more sophisticated mid-sized machines but still, take note that it is not ONLY size that makes a difference in long term satisfaction but also the features of the machine. Also note that the smaller bike is nicer to handle in the parking lots but if you want to ride for the afternoon you will REALLY know whether your suspension is adequate ! Happy Riding Ron Miller Hewlett-Packard , Ft. Collins Systems Div. Ft. Collins, Colo. at :{ihnp4}!hpfcla!ron