My First Ride out on my new yellow Icon

6660 Views 41 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Brian the [email protected], Apr 28, 2017

Brian the [email protected]

Discussion Starter · Mar 31, 2017

Yes, it arrived today as promised, midday delivery from Seastar Superbikes.

Spent some time learning the buttons etc, then fitted my rear Rack, and side stand base mod. Looked at the LED left and right repeaters, to find the Crees I had purchased did not fit, but that's another story.....

So weather is lovely here in the UK at the moment, 18 degrees this afternoon.

The kids got back from school, one from high and one from primary, they both had a sit on the bike, and son had a rev of the engine (keeping it under 4k

) Daughter - from High School said wow dad that's nice and took some pictures of me on the bike (to use on Instragram snap crap and all that rubbish they use when teenagers)
So after work, I put on my gear and went for the start of the Run in.

Now its been 20 years since I have been on a motorbike, so was a bit cautious.
I needn't be as these Scramblers are perfect.
Went for a 30 min ride out, lots of small B roads, tight twisting bends, I really enjoyed myself.
Settling into the bike and its massive amounts of Torque ! (I'm used to 2-strokes)
The Riding position is perfect for me to enjoy the ride out.
My only gripe is the throttle twitching , it needs really delicate amount at low speed on the corners, tricky but do-able/ I'm sure I will get used to it and will be powering out of corners once its run in.

So first impressions, I'm really happy I went for the Scrambler

Really impressed

Reactions: 5

1 - 20 of 42 Posts

Doctor T

· #2 · Mar 31, 2017

Awesome, enjoy!

Damnation

· #3 · Mar 31, 2017

Grats on the new bike! For the snatchy throttle i recommend the G2 Throttle tamer and keeping in in low gear through the roundabouts.

Reactions: 1

Brian the [email protected]

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 31, 2017

yep I'm looking to the G2

BR1

· #5 · Mar 31, 2017

If you fancy a bit of DIY throttle modding I have a set of original icon grips that were removed by the dealer when they fitted my heated grips. PM me if interested I don't know what they are worth???

Deano968

· #6 · Apr 1, 2017

... And don't forget the new Desert Sled has a more progressive throttle action so you can probably get one of those installed. You may even just get used to it like many have.
I wasn't away quite as long as you (about 8 years for me) but I too found the Scrambler an easy step back into enjoying two wheels. Keep having fun!

Brian the [email protected]

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 1, 2017

Out and about today, now at 80 miles ! The roads around here are really poor, lots of holes and bumps, which is bouncing my head about, I cant decide if its the hard seat causing this or the front shocks ?

Airsafari87

· #8 · Apr 2, 2017

Brian the [email protected] said:
Out and about today, now at 80 miles ! The roads around here are really poor, lots of holes and bumps, which is bouncing my head about, I cant decide if its the hard seat causing this or the front shocks ?

The shocks are a bit harsh on these bikes, and I know a lot of people complain about the seats on them too, personally I have never had an issue with mine and have covered almost 7k miles in the past 10 months I've had the bike.

One thing about the throttle, try and persevere with the 'snatchyness' of it if you can. When I first got my bike I hated it's response, but I just rode it and rode it and adapted my style to suit it and I grew to love it's instantaneous response.
When I fitted my aftermarket exhaust I also fitted a booster plug at the same time to ease any problems associated with it running lean. I have to say that the booster plug has ruined the throttle response, it softens it right off and takes away a whole load of character away from the bike in my opinion.

kjs

· #9 · Apr 2, 2017

Brian the [email protected] said:
Out and about today, now at 80 miles ! The roads around here are really poor, lots of holes and bumps, which is bouncing my head about, I cant decide if its the hard seat causing this or the front shocks ?

Suspension as a whole is pretty trash on the bike. I've learned to keep my arms and knees loose. Will elevate my rear a bit if I see a large bump coming.

The rear shock is adjustable and helps a bit.

The seat is probably not doing you any favors. I swapped out my Icon's seat for the Comfort seat from Ducati. It's better, but doesn't solve any problems.

As for the throttle, you'll likely get used to it. If you can keep it above 4k RPM, it will play nice. A lot of people have opted for a new throttle tube though.

EvilSteve

· #10 · Apr 2, 2017

Yeah I have a 2017 icon with OEM heated grips and it is not remotely snatchy. I haven't looked yet but I'm pretty sure they have the progressive throttle tube. There may also be a mapping update on the 2017 models, if so your dealer could probably apply it for you.

When I picked it up it was lurching / stuttering a lot at low revs, though (<3500, starting from cold) It improved... but was that heat or time, or because I revved higher and softened clutch to compensate? Maybe all three?

Is this a new bike thing or a cold bike thing or a Ducati thing? None of the above? All of the above?

I'll find out more when I take it on it's second outing tomorrow, I guess!

EvilSteve

· #11 · Apr 3, 2017

My power delivery issues seem to be smoothing out... I think the problems were mostly in my hands!

nictim

· #12 · Apr 9, 2017

Damnation said:
Grats on the new bike! For the snatchy throttle i recommend the G2 Throttle tamer and keeping in in low gear through the roundabouts.

I to fitted the Throttle tamer and replaced the front sprocket 2x teeth larger, you will see a lot of detail on the forum. Iv done 36000klms on my icon and only 3 sets of tyres. The seat I had remoulded so your sitting more into it.

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rhysbach

· #13 · Apr 11, 2017

Brian the [email protected] said:
yep I'm looking to the G2

Have you fitted the G2 Throttle Tamer yet, be interested in your thoughts. Ducati fitted the one on my bike, the technician who drove it opinion was little difference at very low revs but more noticable in mid range.

I just like hearing opinion.

Damnation

· #14 · Apr 11, 2017

rhysbach said:
Have you fitted the G2 Throttle Tamer yet, be interested in your thoughts. Ducati fitted the one on my bike, the technician who drove it opinion was little difference at very low revs but more noticable in mid range.

I just like hearing opinion.

Hmm, well. It's true that the bike is a lot easier to control in slow city traffic than before, but I also feel like I have more slack at lower revs. The throttle feels less like an on/off button. Considering the price, I must say that the G2 is my favourite mod.

Reactions: 1

Max Kool

· #15 · Apr 11, 2017

Isn't that a problem many had when installing the throttle tamer? Excessive slack in the cable?

rhysbach

· #16 · Apr 11, 2017

Max Kool said:
Isn't that a problem many had when installing the throttle tamer? Excessive slack in the cable?

Now you mention it, I'm sure i read that on another thread. Did they have to adjust the cable play or something ?

Max Kool

· #17 · Apr 11, 2017

I believe they adjusted the cable slack on the throttle body as well.

Reactions: 1

Brian the [email protected]

Discussion Starter · #18 · Apr 19, 2017

I'm just back from New York, so haven't been out on the bike over Easter Break

I'm still in two minds about the Throttle, my ultimate aim is to purchase the Desert Sledd, so don't want to spend too much on bits for the scrambler. Saying that the LED H4 Headlight bulb turned up yesterday from Japan. So will install that soon to see the difference compared with the stock Halogen which to be honest isn't that bad.

Brian the [email protected]

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 22, 2017

the LED H4 didn't fit

so bought a Ultra White (H4 halogen) and its fine
Tried standing up and scrambling today, goodness me the throttle really becomes a issue when standing ( doing a bit of off-roading) so I really need to sort the throttle out soon

Max Kool

· #20 · Apr 22, 2017

I believe the Desert Sled throttle is around 80 Euros complete. So yeah, not overly expensive.

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