There are now less than 50 days left until our trip to Norway, and preparations are moving along nicely. In my previous post, I mentioned that the front fork on my Kawasaki GTR 1400 started leaking oil. The bike has now been taken in for service, and I’ll be getting it back tomorrow – just in time for the final prep before the big ride. What a relief!
In the meantime, I was lucky enough to get a loaner bike: a Suzuki GSX-R 600. It’s been an interesting change of pace to ride something completely different. I’ve got two school days in Kokkola this week, and today was the first ride on the Suzuki – and I have to say, it was a pretty fun experience.
Riding Position and Feel – Different, but Fun
The GSX-R 600 has a clearly more aggressive, sport-oriented riding position compared to my GTR. For someone over 180 cm tall, the ergonomics felt a bit cramped, but not unmanageable. Once I adjusted to the posture and steering feel, the ride went smoothly.
The bike is agile, responsive, and light – actually quite fun to ride in city traffic and lighter road conditions. The trip from home to Kokkola went well, and it was refreshing to ride something different for a change.
Overtaking with Ease – but Watch That Speed 😄
I rode the loaner bike calmly, but did overtake a couple of trucks. In those situations, it became obvious just how easily the GSX-R picks up speed – going well past legal limits wouldn’t take much at all. Luckily, there was plenty of room to pass, so I didn’t need to accelerate aggressively. Still, it’s a good reminder of how easily a sportbike can tempt you to push the limits – always good to stay mindful.
Looking Forward to the GTR’s Return
Tomorrow I’ll be getting my Kawasaki GTR back from the shop, and I can return to trip preparations from the saddle of my own bike. The timing for the fork service was perfect, and the good vibes continue: soon we’ll be off to Norway!
Stay tuned – next up: final gear checks, packing, and first impressions with the freshly serviced GTR!
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