[Marquiess]

Hooray. Mine has arrived in Montana and the dealership is building it as I type. I saw it coming out of the crate. Should get the first ride on Friday. Just as well I am off work that day. Will post pictures ASAP.

 

[AJ Nin]

That's weird. You are a long way from any port. Maybe they brought it down from Canada if Canada has theirs, but it's still weird. Montana seems like it would be at the end of a truck delivery route, not the beginning.

 

[Marquiess]

That's what I was thinking too. The dealer got 2 including mine but whether that was because they only ordered 2 or could only get 2, I don't know.

 

[Maverick]

Good to hear the US ones are making it into dealers finally.

It most certainly didnt come from Canada. Canadian models have a different build number and are decal'd in English and French.

Im guessing your dealer had one of the earlier orders and subsequently got some of the first ones out of the container.

 

[Torchsport]

Lucky dog.

Subscribed!

 

[TSTagent]

So exciting! I will be paying close attention to your first impressions and hopefully some awesome pictures!

 

[Marquiess]

New Bike

Just about to go ride home the R3 in about 20 minutes. Here are the photos from the showroom. Can't wait.

 

[Zipper]

Cool stuff there!! Congrats! Can't wait for your review on your first ride.

 

[Marquiess]

Ok. My 1st ride was awesome. I noticed the gear change lever made changing gears really smooth and light and virtually no pressure required to change up or down compared to others I have ridden. The ride is super smooth and to make sure, I rode through some rough spots on the road and based on my experience with other bikes it wasn't the same. Obviously I noticed them but not as much as I was expecting. Clutch feels lighter than usual and again smooth operation. I haven't tried over cornering to try the tires but I did flip the bike around a bit and man it sorta glides from side to side and it's going to be real good on the corners, feels very light and controllable.
I'm not sure if the brakes are too new to work efficiently but so far it feels like extra effort is required before anything happens. I hope they get better when they get worked more but if not then that's the first and only thing i can see that needs changing out. I might even go for the braided hoses available from Yamaha.
I don't want to overload the engine during break in but it is very responsive whenever I did get brave enough to take the revs up to mid range. Going to be soooooo much fun to ride.
Any questions just ask and I can try to answer. You guys are gonna love it!

 

[Marquiess]

I have uploaded pictures today also.

 

[John]

Great first ride report! You answered my question on the suspension. Did you notice any unusual vibrations or buzzing sounds at certain rpms or does the bike seem pretty tight?

 

[Marquiess]

No vibrations up to the 50mph that I went today. No unusual noises at all, no cam noise (unlike the CBR250R I recently sold) just the smell of brand new parts coming to life!

 

[u3c307]

Congratz on the bike Marq!

 

[Marquiess]

Thanks! Appreciated.

 

[Zipper]

Thanks for the update...beautiful bike! Have you ridden a Ninja 300 to compare the two initially? What was your take on the gearing? Can you comment on the riding position and bar position? (What's your height and inseam?)

I'm looking to sit on one soon (I'm 5'10", 190 with a 32" inseam) and will be using this for city and weekend trips. I rode a honda shadow 750 for a year about 9 years ago and am looking to reenter motorcycling. Hopefully this is the one.

 

[Marquiess]

I think 1st was reasonable and upwards was smooth and not clunky. I find it easy to stay in second in slow moving traffic without it being smooth. I never rode the Ninja but from what I understand it's all or nothing with them.
The riding position is very easy. More upright than an R6 or CBR and that means less stress on my wrists.
I am 5' 7", 170lbs and have a short inside leg of about 28" but I can sit with the ball of my feet on the ground.
Don't know how comfortable it would be on a long commute but I watched a You Tube video of a test ride and the guy was 6' 2" and he says he was surprised at how easy it was for him to ride.

 

[Torchsport]

How is the wind blast?

Good looking bike!

 

[Marquiess]

How is the wind blast?

Good looking bike!

Not noticeable really at 50's.