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This liddle Two-Fitty baby is often mistaken for the bigger brother Hornet, until you throw a leg over, when it's noticed how small it really is. Seat & pegs are lowish & bars close & high.
Hit the thumb switch & it burbles into life, sounding like it begs to be thrashedÂ… so that's what I did.
Wheelies:
Drop the clutch @ twelve grand & this baby's on balance point from a stand still, clicking through to 3rd gear on the back wheel, with a whining 16 thou scream from this little sucker. The clutch is light & easy, gearbox is smooth & positive, & power is well appreciated over 12 thousand revs.
While it takes a while to hit top speed, down-hill sees 185K on the clock & @ 100K the motor is doing near 10,000RPM.
Handling:
is good for a bike that has no more than rear spring preload adjustment but tends to wallow on rough roads. It is forgiving though & easy to hold good corner speed & will surprise those who think their quick on a super-bike through the twisties.
Stoppies:
Are easy but don't be shy. First attempt it just stopped quick, second locked up, then by the third I had it sussed. You just can't be shy with this one as it takes a hell of a squeeze to first get to the rolling balance point on the front wheel then back off quickly before you're over the bars. (The rubber brake-line swell is so obvious & would be dramatically improved with steel lines) The front wheel is a rare 16inch one & full-on stickies are hard to come by, so make do with what tyre you can get
in softest compound. The brake is a single disc with a four piston calliper which does the job good-enough to show off. While it has rubber lines, the lever can be pulled right into the bar. Set the lever out as far as possible & make sure the pads are not worn & thin.
Burnouts:
This bike dose it easy! “Don't be scared mum, just drop the clutch @16 with one finger on d front brake! Funny it feels like I'm abusing this bike now! Was this really designed to smoke-up like this?
SummitUp:
If you're just learning, or want a round town commuter, this one is great. I don't recommend abusing this every day, as I've seen these tinny valves break & drop though, destroying the piston & bore, with the best option being a second hand replacement motor from import wreckers if this happens.
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