YamahaParExcellence

You have one nice looking Sport Tour there! Ride it, to ride again, Puc! I'm getting them delivered around the 16-18...and then am going to get them mounted. I'll take some shots when I get **CowFace** home. Yep..I name my bikes as well, lol! Gives them 'soul'... As soon as I get my 'red beauty' home, she is going to be christened by the name of 'Charlotte' That was my dear mother's name...and the last birthday card I ever got from her...(she died of a stroke...) was a picture of a Harley Davidson Sportster 900cc...and on the card, she wrote; "...whenever I see a motorcycle, I always think of you, darling. Happy Birthday, Joseph!". My mother died 2 months later, unexpectedly. So...Puc, ever since that card (which is still sitting on my fireplace in the den...) all of my Touring Class motorcycles, my GL1500 and GL1800 were named; **Charlotte**. So too...when that SVTC beauty shall come home, later this month's end.......so too! ) Her name plate is all set to go on the back of the tour trunk...to a place of honor. BTW...you KILLED me with laughter, on that second vid. Gawd...you were having such fun...Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw! You go, guy! )) Oh...never heard of Full Bore. Will check them out. You know though, that we up in the Great White Expansive, pay through the nose in the U.S. exchange rate...so usually everything is around 30 percent more, then, we have an HST tax in Ontario that slaps another round of insult, at 13%. We also tend to numb ourselves with some of the best beer on the planet...Canadian whatever...it dulls the HST, PST, I-OWE-YOU, YOU-OWE-US, and finally the Estate Tax...where they bring a truck to your house, and 12 government agents takes anything that shines, glitters, or moves. The only thing I think they leave you, is the mortgage balance. I don't think they take that... Cheers,

I had to put new rubber on my 2004 Kawasaki ZR-7S, so scoped out a highly recommended tire set for Sport Touring, with the emphases more on the Tour side of things. (This is my 'other' bike...(smile)) The new and coming SVTC will have to make nice in the garage...lol! I purchased a set of: Michelin Pilot Road 4 https://moto.michelin.com/DC/en/tyres/products/pilot-road-4.html Rear: 160/60ZR17 Front 120/70ZR17 With the labor to RE and RE the above set, and balance ...... (ouch....) was $650.00 CAD What kills ya..is that you can buy 4 really nice tires for your car usually for less than this! Bikes...----->a Millionaire's sport...or you'd think so, when having to cough up for two new tires!

I wish that I could...that was months ago...while I was Googling around... What the jist was though, (and why I decided to pay more for them through Yamaha...), that he had a Harley cord (owned a Harley) and traded it in on a SVTC. He then tried his cord, and either the mic wouldn't work, or also something to do with the Intercom feed. I read that, and said, forget it...will pay the extra juice that Yamaha wants, and KNOW that it will work, 100 percent with the system. So...I ordered two (we have the 801's) cords, and the extension cord for the missus. Mimurph, yes was more bucks from Yamaha...but then...if you do go that way, and not directly through J&M, to buy their 8 pin Harley cord lower....you will at least know from the get-go...that you plug in...everything works, and no chance of a voltage cross-over spike to flow back to the system. If you cross pin for instance, this can happen. You create a voltage back-feed loop. I played it totally safe. I will search around again, and if I stumble upon the post...will certainly come back here, and paste it. Joe

Thanks, Lenny. Yep, Red, same color that my traded in Wing was. I was supposed to get it last week, but Yamaha decided to get it out towards the 3 rd week of April. They had loaded about 6 other bikes destined for the dealer, so no room for the SVTC----> FJR's etc. Was I mad...yep...but in hindsight, the weather has been more like March 1rst, around Toronto, rather than almost mid April. So...I can wait until they call me that it is ready for delivery. Hope for warmer weather for the ride home!!! I took our May 24th week off, so looking forward to putting on those 600 miles until the first oil change, and drive belt slack check. After that...Mama gets on board, and away we go-------->! BTW, I did get some interesting information from my dealer, in that Yamaha only built 152 SVTC's for the Canadian market...(first batch run) in thinking it was going to be a slow or modest first-year uptake. So far...they have been happily proven (in Canada) to have their pants around their ankles on this one! Each dealer is only going to get 1 more (for 2018 model year) SVTC every three months, until the 2019's show up (probably around October/November). None of the dealers are too happy about that. I don't know how it is going in the States...but up here (and even costing $5,000.00 more MSRP) it seems to have been received very, very well...and by quite a few Honda Gold Wing 'ship jumpers' like ourselves. If somebody is looking for a GL1800, they should check out not only Honda dealers, but should also, Yamaha dealers. That's what the couple that bought my GL1800 did...asked around Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki dealers for off-trades. They got a great bike, at I guess, a very reasonable price. I think that says something about the new 2018 Honda Gold Wing. There's a lot of established 'tenured' Gold Wing riders, that have passed it by, and went elsewhere to other manufacturers to purchase a new luxury touring bike, this year, ourselves among them.

It might be, and then it might not. Yamaha could have had J&M create a cord to their wire count specifications, as well as copper grade. I have seen that before. To avoid any chance of a mismatch, or not 100 percent compatible, I just decided to pay the extra asking from Yamaha and picked up 2 cords through them. Either way, I now know that my cord sets are perfectly matched 'in spec' to the SVTC wiring spec. Just peace of mind. I read in another forum, that a guy who already had the Harley cord from J&M, had some issues, a couple of features not working correctly. That scared me off...picking up directly from J&M, for the 7 pin Harley cord. Just didn't want any problems.

I'm, that is...hate typos... Dealer just called, said there was a shipping delay from Yamaha Canada, out of Concord, Ontario. They should have my bike put together, all my accessories installed, and ready for my ride home. Finally!

Current Super Coupon will get you 20% off. I didn't have that...but they said that if I bring that coupon in within 30 days, I can get my 179.99 reduced by that amount. So...off to New York State this weekend...and that's ok...the wife wanted to do some outlet shopping and there are other really great sales on Torque Wrenches, and open ratchet sets. The plan...drop her off at the outlet mall...and high tail it back to Harbor Freight. For those wanting in on this great lift...and live around Toronto...here is the store you can whip across the border to: Just Goggle Harbor Freight Current Coupons...and you will see the black 20 percent off one item. Print that out, and take that to the store when buying this lift..or any other single item you want. After that...dinner in Niagara On The Lake...then home along the QEW. Have fun! Harbor Freight: Located in: Milpine Plaza 8426 Niagara Falls Blvd, Niagara Falls, NY 14304, USA Phone: +1 716-297-3049 [TABLE=class: WgFkxc] [TR=class: K7Ltle] [TD=class: SKNSIb][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: SKNSIb][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: SKNSIb][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: SKNSIb][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: SKNSIb][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: SKNSIb][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=class: SKNSIb][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

It should, Doug, as long as the bottom 'at rest' figure is less than 4 inches I think. The one I just got is 3 5/8th's inches at rest. Pitbull is a good make.

Bike looks great, sky looks great...the pleasures of living in the Southwest!

As you typed this...is exactly how I would like it set up as well. Especially for a bike carrying both an Intercom and C.B. system. I can work around the other, in knowing about the 'party line' effect, but as you say, the above is perfect. Yeah..I hope so soon, Yamaha Canada is taking its time in shipping out. This bike has proved extremely popular with Canadian riders that enjoy riding a V-Twin design, or I guess folks like us, that have never had one...and this is the jumping-in time. Weather around Toronto, Ontario has been Mr. Winter, and Spring it seems got the end of the boot tip, lol. By the end of next week, we are supposed to see around almost 70F....so hoping I will hear this mid week, and we leaving to pick 'er up. This last weekend, I spent time in the U.S. to run over to Harbor Freight, and pick up a Bike Lift, that I had wanted for the SVTC. When doing oil changes and tire and/or drive belt maintenance (test flex), I wanted it to be hassle free. No more need to think about putting on a center stand 3rp. The one I got (typed about it, in the Watering Hole Forum) can take your bike up a total of 19 inches, if you can use the 2 inch additional risers it comes with. There is a trick you can use (side curbing) so you can have that height, should you need it for anything, but 17 inches is high enough for any of my needs. If you don't have a lift, and were thinking of one....check out my post. My son was also very impressed by the unit. Cheers,

No problem. My son dropped by...and I took him out to see it in the garage. He took one look at it...and said..."Dad... I got to ask...how MUCH did you pay for that sucker...?" It was positively evil...my humming and hawing, until I told him. He said; "What?!?!?!?" Can I try that at home to lift my bike?" "Sure...but have it back next weekend..." He better....lol.

No problem. I'll see all that for ya. I lent it to my son, for him to check out, so will have it back next week. He lives out of town. I'll let you know, ASAP. If you want to find out sooner, they have a floor model at most stores. You could see it for yourself and take all your measurements right there, as well as see if the two lift rails will sit straddling both regular rails, BUT...just know, that if you do that...they do add another two inches to the height of the fixed rails. I couldn't use them on my Kawa...and the stock rails had plenty of clearance before I started the lift. Just not two inches more of clearance. I remember that the lift surfaces of the fixed rails is around 3.5/8th's inches from the ground...so it should be no problem to slip in under the SVTC. I bought this for that bike, after all. [TABLE=class: data-table, width: 399] [TR=class: odd] [TH=class: label, align: left]Platform length (in.)[/TH] [TD=class: data last]12-5/8 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Caster size (in.)[/TH] [TD=class: data last]2-3/8 in. (front), 1-5/8 in. (rear)[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: odd] [TH=class: label, align: left]Maximum Lift Height (in.)[/TH] [TD=class: data last]17 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Minimum height (in.)[/TH] [TD=class: data last]3-5/8 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: odd] [TH=class: label, align: left]Product Height[/TH] [TD=class: data last]7-7/8 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Product Length[/TH] [TD=class: data last]33-3/4 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: odd] [TH=class: label, align: left]Product Weight[/TH] [TD=class: data last]51.9 lbs.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Product Width[/TH] [TD=class: data last]17-1/3 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: last odd] [TH=class: label, align: left]Shipping Weight[/TH] [TD=class: data]57.25 lb.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

I can't answer that yet, for I haven't taken delivery of my SVTC. I have used it on my Kawasaki ZR-7S, and it picks up very nicely. Well balanced, and I have no trouble working on either the front or rear end of the bike. On their site, owners that have large Harley's report great and satisfying results. It also is the lowest height, at rest, so will slide under anything for positioning. It has two extra elevation pads for bikes with higher clearances, so you don't waste lift height. Total lift is at the highest range of them all...17 inches, and 19 inches if you use the 2 inch additional risers. I like how it moves about the floor...and in the lift, is solid like a rock. The SVTC is only 400 pounds more than the Kawa...so should have no problem. Handles 1,500 pounds. When I get the SVTC, I'll give a full review with that ride. Until then...it is built like the brick you-know-what-house, and the finish on it is superb, for all parts of it. For the right-now asking price of $179.99, when all the good lifts are taken into the mix, this is a steal...and great value for the money spent. There is no need to spend up to, $459.99 unless you wish to. I'd check it out...at the store, and you make a judgement for yourself. The two main cast aluminum frame members, are so well cast...that quite frankly, if you saw this at someone's house, there is no way, you would think it sold for the asking price it currently is at. No way... Finally, if you look at the picture of it, those two higher lift rails, merely lift out of the main lower ones....they are there, only if you need them for your bike, or ATV. I just lifted them out of their hole mounts for lifting my Sport Tour. BTW, even the pin that locks or releases the hydraulic fluid, for lift or lowering is chrome plated, nothing that has steel is bare. Harbor Freight is kicking butt with this one! Joe

Hi Doug. Thanks for this. I still don't have my bike, so can't play around myself. But in carefully reading your due diligence, I like the set up. From what I glean, is that the MEDIA VOLUME SETTING, acts like on a mixing board for audio, that it is the MASTER VOLUME SETTING. Just like on a mixing board..and the sub volumes, IS the mix you like. So..you want the Intercom to come in more aggressively as you raise the master (Media) volume setting by use of the handle bar quadrant, then you adjust that on its own volume slide. Same for the other radios. That is actually a very nice feature, and no doubt was software written like that by the input from Yamaha Music. So...I like that. Also, it makes perfect usage sense, in that if there IS a co-rider, he or she, can place the Intercom in priority common mode, by pressing (lets the system know there IS a co-rider back there, lol) his/her PTT button, and locks out the need to keep having to press to talk that would drive my wife and I nuts. Then...if the conversation ends, as a speak, respond, speak, respond, the rider can override and disengage that feature, by pressing and holding the rider PTT trigger for a second or two, that then resets the mic comms to manual and un-locked PTT. I really like what I read from your post. Very well thought out, by Yamaha. As far as the C.B throwing you out there...they will need to update that. But then...to do that, they would have to have a dedicated separate C.B. PPT trigger, JUST for the C.B radio...and that would have added to the cost, and complexity of the wiring harness. So, now that I know that if you have the Intercom as 'hot' and the C.B. radio as 'on', anything vocalized between the rider and co-rider, the mic input,will be sent to the C.B. radio for output as well. No big deal. Will just have my wife or other co-rider not speak when I want to fire up the C.B...ask my road-ahead, and get back response...and then shut down the C.B. The other M.O., can be that if you want the C.B. on..and to 'Trucker Talk'...or with another SVTC or GL1500 SE Gold Wing rider/co-rider, just turn off the Intercom...and have the C.B. hot..and then both you and your co-rider can mic up for a party line with the other bike, base, or commercial truck. So...cool all around. This will work,just great...so many options, so many different mode ventures. I really like that you can 'mix' the volume of all your radios and entertainment, and then master control them with the top level Media Volume. Very professionally done. Kudos, Yahama Sound and Engineering!

Hey folks, Was in the great U.S. of A. over the weekend, and went to Harbor Freight, looking for a good, not cheap, and not break-the-bank, either motorcycle/ATV lift...and found one! This thing rocks...and **oozes** quality build: https://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-capacity-atv-motorcycle-lift-63397.html First off, it is totally aircraft spec, cast aluminum, and not basic steel flat stock that has to be welded together. All parts are precision cast (just like the sub-frame of the SVTC, or the GL1800 Gold Wings, etc) It has a massive central lift structure, that also is an excellent side-to-side stabilizer. This is the first strong, and light for moving, cast aluminum motorcycle lift jack I have ever seen. So...if you are in the market to lift your SVTC and have up to 17 inches of lift (19 inches with the added supports)...this is a very, very good catch at $179.99 The only thing it does not have are tie-down bars, but that is not a fatal consideration, in that you can use other ways to tie down the bike onto the stand. It is very stable and does not have side-to-side wobble, because of that very massive central lift. Note: this particular motorcycle lift, does not jack up a sub-frame, with the hydraulic bottle...that you see on all the other welded lifts that have four flat and bolted together leg-frame-members. No..this one is like a true 'underneath' hydraulic lift central support and lift member. Take a look at the picture, and you will see what I mean. The two out-board aluminum support flats, do not have any stress on them supporting the bike. They just keep things in alignment. The central massive hydraulic lift piston does all the work and support of the bike when lifting, then the multi-height safety lock holds the weight of the bike up, as you hear the click at the height you want..and then slowly back off the lift so the structure settles into the locked position. If you are near a Harbor Freight, check it out in person, operate it as I did...and then save $$$ over the competition. [TABLE=class: data-table, width: 399] [TR=class: odd] [TH=class: label, align: left]Platform length (in.)[/TH] [TD=class: data last]12-5/8 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Caster size (in.)[/TH] [TD=class: data last]2-3/8 in. (front), 1-5/8 in. (rear)[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: odd] [TH=class: label, align: left]Maximum Lift Height (in.)[/TH] [TD=class: data last]17 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Minimum height (in.)[/TH] [TD=class: data last]3-5/8 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: odd] [TH=class: label, align: left]Product Height[/TH] [TD=class: data last]7-7/8 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Product Length[/TH] [TD=class: data last]33-3/4 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: odd] [TH=class: label, align: left]Product Weight[/TH] [TD=class: data last]51.9 lbs.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: even, bgcolor: #EEEEEE] [TH=class: label, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left]Product Width[/TH] [TD=class: data last]17-1/3 in.[/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: last odd] [TH=class: label, align: left]Shipping Weight[/TH] [TD=class: data]57.25 lb.[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Cheers,

I suggest a different format...see if you can find a Kawasaki ZR-7S 750 four. 78 horsepower, air/oil, a very cool running bike, you feel no heat in your riding position, in the dead of summer. Sling some soft bags over the back end. Cortech Super 2.0 bags (that's what I use), and you are good to go at 60 mpg, if you keep the bike around 60 mph. I own one, and you can probably get a good version of it, a 2004 (last year produced in Canada, 2003 last year produced in the U.S.) for around $2,800, to $4,500 (if very low mileage and great physical condition). Trust me, you will simply love this bike...it can do everything you want. Sport Tour, or dedicated Tour, with soft bags. A suggestion. .

Very fine looking pieces!

Another possible target can be in the form of retired bowling pins. I went into a bowling alley on the advise of someone else, and asked if they had any retired, or broken pins on the premises. They said, yes...and I offered to buy them at a great price. Took them home, and they made great targets. Also, a great stand for pinning a paper target to. So, the next time you go bowling, ask them if they have any in the back room, that they want to get rid of. Who knows?

HOW FREAKIN' DEPRESSING! What an eye opener...THAT much content. No wonder everybody''s engines runs like crap (but you don't know it...) , and MPG is literally stolen from the purchaser....and lawn equipment and snowblower's carburetors corrode. Remember folks..governments SELL this ethanol, they have their feet right in it. Just another form of hidden and mandatory tax....with your equipment suffering. Talk to marine outboard owners, about going to the gas station on the way up to the cottage...buying Regular whatever...and then perhaps at the dock, or even out upon the lake after the engine has been turned off...they can't start it...have to be towed in. Then, they buy marine gas...and get bent over the railing... I'm going to send this vid to my brother in law. I know he would buy this kit in a heartbeat. There's a gas station that always heavily discounts per liter, and that's where he wants to buy his own gas...but in the past, this has caused many hard or no-start issues on his 55 HP. Thanks for posting. I didn't know this even existed. This has turned into a great thread...very informative! Post Edit thought...I looked at that separator again...and how much loss in volume this chap had. So...thinking about this...he paid for that volume...and now it sits as water...a financial loss. So....hmmm...better to just pump ethanol certified free, Shell Premium Nitro +, and save the cost and time of separating the ethanol from the gas. He purchased Premium with ethanol, but at least in Canada...you can get the Shell Premium Nitro + at ANY Shell station that sells this blend. For those that don't have a gas station or access to ethanol free...this is the way to go...it will pay for itself...in your MPG improvement and operating/maintenance costs.

Totally agree...and that's how I want to see it run and set up...you can have the C.B. and monitor the channel (19), but, your rider/co-rider is private and secure. You'd think that was how it would be right out of the chute! Sheesh! If you could look into this...about what you were typing...maybe this quark only happens if the co-rider's button is 'active'? If it isn't...pressed twice after they speak...are you then only C.B. output from the mic. That would help me to know. Please post back ASAP. When riding the GL1500SE, I never had the C.B. shut down. Never got stuck in anything up the road, either. Uh..can't say the same for every ride on the GL1800,... Don't ask.....

Be careful of that Doug! From what I understand right now...and as the software stands, right now...if you have the C.B. on, as well as the Intercom...you are basically holding a big party line...whatever channel your C.B. is set to...everybody for 15 miles (lol!) will listen in on the conversation between you and the co-rider. I (would hope) but don't think that running under VOX, as set on, (and by by-pass pulling the PTT rider trigger) would change that bug/oversight. I do believe they are looking into separating the mic output feed from sending out, (with also C.B. as 'on'), unless you use the rider's PTT trigger. If you use VOX, I'd bet that whatever radio (intercom or C.B.) will have feed mic output delivered to it...so don't be saying to your co-rider, (with the C.B. also set to a channel and on...) that you think the trucker in front of you is such an $**@(((@ for throwing some road dirt at you with his pass.... That could be...er..ah....well...you know....lol! For now, my M.O. will be-----> to be on the Intercom always while riding, with my wife, but..if I want to check out the road ahead of us, will ask her not to speak...(she will know why, of course) will enable the C.B. radio...put a road check out there...wait for a reply..and then disable the C.B., and then let her know I have...to free engage once more in communication. I also think that she can hear my C.B. transmission and can even key up the 'mic' with her PTT button. That is another feature I like. She could never be part of the conversation with our GL1500 SE. She could only listen. In her words..."oh..this is so much fun!", lol. I really appreciate how much, the tech and sound engineers worked with the software company to leverage such great use and feature sets out of this bike. We usually have in the past, purchased and traded in our present ride about every 5-7 years, for best R.O.I. I dunno about this baby...for I can't imagine needing anything more in entertainment choices, or communication feature sets, than what I will have in 2018. If the motor turns out to be a year-to-year mile pounder, and doing so problem-free...then...this might be the last bike until my legs can't hold it up anymore. I am so in anticipation to take delivery of this ride, like I have never been in the past 50 years continuous of many ownership's and riding thereof. This one (SVTC) is simply the cat's a** of them all...for myself, anyways. So very jealous of all you lucky folks that live down south...and are riding, as I can only type about it for now....congrat's to you all! As the Knight stated; "You...chose wisely..." I know we did...!!! Cheers, Joe

What a great find...and a good post to us all. I also suspected that 'up to' was such a scam. Yeah right... Fly...on my Dodge Caravan (also Flex capability), I saw such an improvement when going to Shell Premium, from Shell Regular...that I am seriously kicking myself, that for all these years, I could have received the benefits, but simply, never even explored it with a tankful. I can't even take credit for doing Due Diligence on the subject. If it wasn't for a chap at work, raving about how good all his power and car, motor-home, riding lawn-mower, etc was running now, and can be started month to month with one pull...I still would be running with Regular and never knowing how much less MPG I was getting. It is a rip off, totally. It costs them practically nothing to slip in a 10-20 % volume into your 20 gallon gas tank...and literally, steal 20 percent of each dollar,of each gallon of fuel. Put another way, if you pick up a Kraft (I know they all do....but I buy Kraft...so will speak on what I know as a fact...) can of granulated Parmesan Cheese, and read the label...and see the word Cellulite or Cellulose as a component...well folks...guess what? That Cellulite is a by product of WOOD! Yes...yep...cellulose and is in a treated edible form. What?!?!?!? Why would that be there? FILLER...you are buying modified for consumption....wood fiber, masquerading as Parmesan Cheese. They all do this...all rip us off. Another consumer rip-off, like how gas companies and governments, rip you off on your fuel dollar by padding your gallon with 10-20 % crap Ethanol liqueur ....is coffee. In Canada, coffee manufacturers can add yep...modified wood products, (Cellulose) to your coffee can in a government-set amount...and GET AWAY WITH IT! They all use it as filler IF, they decide to add it......so are you getting that so called X-amount (ounces) of 100 percent pure, coffee in that can? Nope. Are you getting a discount for crap that is not coffee in that coffee can? Nope... The percentage of bulk/filler mind you is not very much...but that if it is there...you are being taken to the bank. Oh the joy of being a modern day, Consumer.... Back to fuel. You can at least with fuel, remove Ethanol from your tank...by seeking out a blend that does not contain a single drop. I wish I could do that also for my Parmesan Cheese. Simply...I can't! (Well..yes...if I buy a chunk and grind it myself...then yes, LOL) To be fair...only then. LOL!

Thanks for that observation. So I wonder..is this sort of a on/off switch as well. Does this press once, until you press again, also happen with the rider's trigger PTT? I do know now, by watching the instructional video on the communication side of things, that if you enable the VOX (Voice Activated icon box, by turning it 'on') you will get the same standard operation as my old 2008 Wing. That is, you turn on the Intercom System, and it is just that...'ON'. My wife and I then merely spoke when we wanted to. The music (if I had that also turned on) would be playing, then when we spoke to each other, the music program would mute, and she or I would speak. If there was a three second pause in voice, from either of us, the music program would come back up to set or auto volume (based on wind or mechanical noise). So, I see that I (don't have the actual bike yet) can set VOX (Voice Command Mode and voice initiated) to on, and set the sensitivity of our J&M Elite Series 801 microphones, so this also occurs. This is how we want to run the Intercom. Not to have to keep manually P(ress)T(o)T(alk). The other observation is that compared to my 2008 GL1800, I have such incredible control of everything. Not only--->can you turn a feature on, but then there are sub-menus to fine tune that feature to your very specifications and needs. Again for instance, we could never adjust the mic's sensitivity pick-up threshold, on what came with our 2008 tech. You can't even do that stand alone with our J&M helmet headsets. No provision for it (the cord model) If Bluetooth does, I don't have that knowledge. The fact that the SVTC Infotainment system comes with its own very detailed, manual...should be a warning that this is a full fledged smorgasbord of tech delight, lol! I've been dieting...so bring it on, lol. Yeah..I'm going to really enjoy this bike...yep..... For one thing, never had the ability to bring up text messages, via our two phones, via a voice command to initiate, and tell the system to display, or speak it out with the A.I. This is so cool...so cool. That you can dictate a message while you are even riding, or make or receive calls, hand's free. Wow.... Joe

Good post...and of course, sage words. You're right...the BEST bike..is the one...that the rider...well...rides for his or her quite personal reasons. I'm sure that the new 2018 Wing will be a great ride, and a very many riders will enjoy owning it. For myself and my wife, it just wasn't a good 'fit'. I THINK, that I might be seeing my bike next week...but to be frank...Winter just showed up in Ontario this morning...all the lawns and grassy areas are covered once more with snow. Cheers,

Man, is that nice! That rod just looks great! Do you use whirly bird targets? That the best kick for my .22 long rifle.