OK, bit of background. I have just sold my first SD (06 model with round Arka’s) and bought Fuel’s 09 model to replace it.

The new bike has the following mods;

Rotty airbox, Secondary’s out, Remap at Projex, Arka’s, Slipper Clutch, Wilbers race suspension, Lifi battery, SDR seat conversion and a host of other little upgrades like steering damper etc.

There have been thunder storms here today but the sun came out long enough for me to get a first ride and here are my slightly surprising first impressions.

My old bike was faster! At least in the violence and immediacy of acceleration it was. Crack the throttle on my old one in second and you had instant wheelie, the new one just accelerates. This was quite a disappointment.

The new bike also wagged its head a bit more than the old one but the tyres are well used so that might have had something to do with it.

The slipper clutch is noisy at tickover but works just fine. Speaking of noise there is way more induction roar than the old one and with the sas blocked of it doesn’t pop and bang nearly as much on the overt run. Didn’t notice much difference in the ride suspension wise but I only did about 20 miles so early days on that.

Overall my old bike was more fun to ride and I was worried that this might have been the result of ditching the flies until I remembered the sprockets. Counting teeth the new bike is 16 / 38, my old one was 16/40 or 41 from memory. It revved out in top at about 135/140 and whatever that equates to. I’m hoping a bigger rear sprocket will return the zip to the ride and the smile to my face. Just debating if 40 or 41 is the best option. Any thoughts on this welcomed.

I plan a new belly pan, LSL fat bars in mat black, black rearsets, some other cosmetic enhancements and a new set of wheels when the chance presents itself. I’m looking forward to getting started!