First Ride-Break In Report

First of all, what a BIKE, picked up bike on Friday afternoon. Started in shops parking lot, let it idle for a minute, pulled in clutch, put in gear, everyone watching, stalled bike !

Restarted bike, took to truck, loaded up, went home. All service bulletins done except # 9. Shop does not have flywheel puller. Going back to get done this week. OLD Husky flywheel puller will work though, going to get that from my dad if shop does not have theirs this week. Dealer said he would fix anything that goes wrong between now and then at their cost because they did not have the flywheel puller.

Now to the good stuff. When out on Sunday to break in bike. Took 3 hours, very hot on Sunday here in Ohio. Pulled into my motorcycle clubs parking lot. Unloaded bike, some of the members came over and started drooling. Had to get my roll of paper towels out to clean up mess.

Started bike, went out for first ride. All I can say is WOW !!!

Even though it was just a break in ride, suspension first rate. Compared to my OLD WR, suspension was like a Cadillac versus Chevette. Soaked up everything, makes you feel very confident going into a root & rock filled section.

Power, very good to say the least, there when you need it. Of course during break-in it is hard to tell what everything is like until you get to race pace. But VERY impressed upfront. The sound was great, not to loud, very ear pleasing. :) Engine noise was like everyone has said. Like a KTM with all of its goodies on it.

Ergo’s. Very good. I am 5’-10” tall, 178 lbs. Without gear. Transition from sitting to standing very easy, not cramped. Lots of room to move. Bar bend is good for me, but will probably cut a little off each end of the bars. Used to running 30” wide pro-tapers YZ bend bars for eastern woods racing.

Not any bad things to speak of. Had a minor issues at first. Green start button did not work at first, unless you pushed on the side of the button instead of the center. Unbolted button and move contact around until it got recentered.

Graphics on gas tank under seat on the right side are tore up all ready from knee brace. I tend to squeeze bike with knees while riding.

I also got to ride a KTM 520 on the same day. The KTM 520 has power, to much at once for me. Suspension is not anything near the same, the front end of the KTM it very light feeling, likes to wander, maybe due to power of bike. The ‘Dale’s front end stays where you want it and does not wander or skate. There is no real comparison, the ‘Dale is definitely the bike for me, I am one totally satisfied customer.

To all of you ‘dale riders out there, thank you for the information that you have provided to all of us out there. It makes the decision not only to buy the bike easier, but what to expect once you have the bike in the garage. I look forward to giving you more reviews as I get more into the bike. Can not wait until Wednesday night. That is the night that all of the trail riders/racer get together at our motorcycle club to go ride. Guess I will have to bring more paper towels !!!!

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‘Dale fixes, notes, information.

Hey, before I went on my first ride, I broke into the bike to give it a once over, to look at all of the things that everyone has seen so far. I took picture of stuff, and will have to email the pictures to someone so they can post them if possible, if anyone out there can help with that let me know.

1. Fuel Filter, I found out that other than FRAM, I had my local auto parts store cross it over to another brand. It is a NAPA Gold fuel filter #3011. Cost, $ 2.67 if I remember correctly. (took pictures)

2. Spark Plug, NGK BR9EK, or BR8EK, at the same NAPA auto parts store, $6.95 I think, have some on order, will be in today.

3. Gas tank rubbing on rear shock reservoir, removed gas tank, and put a foam tape on gas tank, foam tape (black) was about .06” thick. (Took pictures)

4. Look at steering head where black tube cross over between gas tank and steering head. Sharp corners where steering head is welded, ground sharp corners/edges of with Dremel. (took pictures)

Also took pictures of the new steed in the driveway. Will post any new info as I find it.

Traves