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Something I’ve noticed about “balance” specific to the TW. Over the years, I’ve had just about every bike (type) you could think of, and it’s become second nature on how to take a bend. After the first 30 years, its not something that we think about consciously, we just “do it” – even the big Guzzi’s fall into place – pure instinct
I have a relatively short inseam, 30 inches, but a longer spine, adapt and survive, and in extreme circumstances, I’ve never had any problems “scraping the pegs”. Used to have a Suzy GT550 triple, lay that thing over and the exhaust system would ground, lifting the rear wheel. The bike would “pivot” on the spot, rear wheel spinning madly, and “stamping” it back up resulted in some interesting moments. But hey, in my twenties, any situation you survived was a result. Been there, done that
But the TW is the only bike I’ve had that requires you to shift seat position in order to take a (sharp) bend. For the sake of my butt, I tend to sit towards the back of the seat. Well, they call it a seat, but it’s more like a “bench”. During the Mothership’s design process, once Mashimoto had finished with designing the braking systems, he handed it over to Mashibutt for the finishing touches. Mashibutt then passed it onto Mashibollocks, and thus the TW as we know it was born
However, I digress. Whilst the Orientals are well known for the ability to draw their testicles up into their body, it is not something I share, hence the “sitting back” towards the more padded parts, Mashibutt style. But on approaching a particularly noticeable bend, in order to overcome Mashimotos rather obvious designs, I find myself sacrificing the family jewels in order to get the thing to behave
Thus, the expression “rock and a hard place” takes on a whole new meaning. While I have no hesitation whatsoever towards the Japanese holding a grudge, I’m beginning to resent having to present my nuts to the intricate and delicate embrace of the front of the seat every time I want it to navigate a bend. I have no idea what sort of award Mashibollocks was in receipt of for his diligence in designing the front of the seat, but I can hear him grinning from here …..
I have a relatively short inseam, 30 inches, but a longer spine, adapt and survive, and in extreme circumstances, I’ve never had any problems “scraping the pegs”. Used to have a Suzy GT550 triple, lay that thing over and the exhaust system would ground, lifting the rear wheel. The bike would “pivot” on the spot, rear wheel spinning madly, and “stamping” it back up resulted in some interesting moments. But hey, in my twenties, any situation you survived was a result. Been there, done that
But the TW is the only bike I’ve had that requires you to shift seat position in order to take a (sharp) bend. For the sake of my butt, I tend to sit towards the back of the seat. Well, they call it a seat, but it’s more like a “bench”. During the Mothership’s design process, once Mashimoto had finished with designing the braking systems, he handed it over to Mashibutt for the finishing touches. Mashibutt then passed it onto Mashibollocks, and thus the TW as we know it was born
However, I digress. Whilst the Orientals are well known for the ability to draw their testicles up into their body, it is not something I share, hence the “sitting back” towards the more padded parts, Mashibutt style. But on approaching a particularly noticeable bend, in order to overcome Mashimotos rather obvious designs, I find myself sacrificing the family jewels in order to get the thing to behave
Thus, the expression “rock and a hard place” takes on a whole new meaning. While I have no hesitation whatsoever towards the Japanese holding a grudge, I’m beginning to resent having to present my nuts to the intricate and delicate embrace of the front of the seat every time I want it to navigate a bend. I have no idea what sort of award Mashibollocks was in receipt of for his diligence in designing the front of the seat, but I can hear him grinning from here …..
