It's been a good 3500 miles with the GZ250, but I've been itching for more power and better cornering potential. Also, I somehow spent $1000 in maintenance in 10 months for a "beginner" bike. So, I sold my GZ250 to buy this crazy motorcycle. I always wanted a high-revving inline-3 engine, and this bike was a good deal.
What a difference it is! I went from being slower than 99% of cars on the road to faster than 99% of cars on the road. That and the difference in ergonomics make it feel like my first time riding again because I feel like a noob again.
It pulls so crazy hard in lower gears that I don't think I've ever gave it full throttle below 4th gear, and it sounds amazing doing so. And whenever I take a corner, I consistently underestimate just how much I can lean, so I go almost unsatisfyingly slow, and the bike seems to say, "c'mon, chicken. Believe in me. You could've gone way faster than that." I hope to do a track day to remedy this mismatch between me and my motorcycle.
Beautiful bike. I've got a '14 STR in white and red and I love it. I don't think I'll ever sell it.