LOL they are over $1,000 here, I paid $1,100 for mine

 

Do you think the 1/4" difference would affect handling? I still want the bike to be nimble, and I know a wider tire can make it less nimble.

 

Can't tell you for sure, but when I went from the stock 135 to 140 on the rear I didn't notice any difference. My 06 came with a 4.00 excel rim on the rear.

What did have an effect on 'nimbleness' is when I went to a Pilot Active on the front. I like it better though, because it's more controllable dropping into a corner now where before it was easier to over-do it.

It's very hard to make this bike 'un-nimble'

 

+1 on the tire choices. I changed my front from ArrowMax to Pilot and had much more predictable turn-in response and handling in curves. A 130 or 140/70 on a stock 3.50 rear rim is not much different than the same tire on the 4.00 or 4.25 rim.

Dean,

How goes the winter up there? I am pretty sure Misawa is covered in snow now, as it is getting close to freezing down here near Tokyo.

 

Very nice bike, I like what you've done.

 

Yep, winter has made itself known already. I wish the temps had dropped a couple of days earlier though. We had a bunch of snow from Saturday afternoon until early Sunday morning, but the temps were well above freezing, so it felt like shoveling cement

Sent the daughter to Tokyo yesterday for about a week, so I'm sure she'll be liking the weather compared to here.

 

nice job. im likin the wheels! im too lazy to even wash my bike most of the time haha

 

I was lazy too, that's why the rust was taking over from the paint. Plus I live at sea level and ride near the coast every day. Gotta love the salt spray.

 

Dood - lookin good! How'd that engine paint work out?

 

Worked out great. Thanks. Too bad the black setup didn't work for you. Long time no see, been too busy for us here?