At first, I checked the new transmission system SECVT.
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The trail motorbikes were 9 cars of Skywave 650, 5 cars of Siliverwing 600 and 4 cars of TMAX 500.
We could ride two rounds of the track with Skywave650 and two rounds of track with Silverwing or TMAX. This event space was usually the closed parking area the trial course consisted 250m straight length, high speed corner and tight corners. The course layout was very nice rather than the public road course.
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It was very interested in the new CVT. I felt very comfortable. I believe the new CVT system will be more popular than ordinary scooters that are not accelerated to red zone of the engine revolution.
I rode the course three times for each mode.
At first run : by automatic normal mode
I felt a mild start impression because I thought the dry weight of machine 238kg. The feeling of an acceleration was similar to that of Skywave 400. in this mode the acceleration from 40km/h was very good but I felt a little poor image. I thought this mode was an economical mode.
Max speed on 250m straight road was 100km/h.( TMAX was 100km/h, Silverwing was 110km/h)
At second run : by automatic power mode
I selected power mode before the second run. I kept a distance from before another rider and I started by turning on a full throttle. I didn't feel to draw behind but I got much speed after few moments. I thought this mode was maker recommend mode for all of riders with safety. I felt good acceleration feeling but engine braking was very strong, I was care at the corner work.
Max speed on straight test road was about 108km/h
At last run : by manual shift mode
At manual shift mode, The skywave650 reposed from shift position and throttle opening. I turn up shift position when engine revolution became 8000 rpm. I was able to shift up operations while full throttle without crutching off. It was very strong shift mode without any driving techniques. It was not necessary to release throttle, too. I didn't feel any shock when changing gear, I felt to be able to use this mode with a passenger. I thought the acceleration feeling of Skywave650 as same as them of the similar normal transmission motorbike.
Many members of us often accelerated to revolution limiter (at 9000rpm).
Max speed on straight test road was 113km/h.
I think I will usually use by automatic normal mode, if I need power, I will change manual shift mode, and I will select power mode for more power or engine braking on mountain road.
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Performance check and Riding feeling among rivals
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We could ride Skywave650 and the rivals (TMAX and Silverwing) because I thought Suzuki had a strong confidence of Skywave 650. But it was so difficult for me to compare three models at equal stage. I supposed someone felt good cornering of TMAX, others felt good driving of Silverwing. But I thanked Suzuki to this event for user side.
The following are my impression of three mega scooters.
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Skywave650
Skywave650 have the most powerful one of these rivals (TMAX, Silverwing). But Skywave650 is the heaviest one. Dry weight of Skywave650 is 238kg, Silverwing : 215kg, TMAX : 198kg. When I lifted up the center-stand, and/or I drew the Skywave650 by hand, I felt heavy. But when I rode the Skywave650, I could not feel so big size of it. Seat height is 750mm. It is 55mm higher than Skywave250/400. It has wide seat. But after riding, I can touch my feet on the ground. I can move it by my feet, too. I am 175mm tall.
The performance at middle and/or high speed cornering was enjoyable, but it at slow speed cornering was careful because heavy weight. I could not change a line at the slow corner.
Radial-ply tire and Big size wheel was brought very good stability of straight line running.
Front double disk brake was very strong. It was not front and rear tire combination brake of Skywave250/400 but independent separated.
When I gave high engine revolution at manual shift mode, a noise of transmission and engine was loudly and a little jarring.
Silverwing
I had thought high sitting position like Forza. Silverwing's sitting position and handling was as same as my Skywave400. Of course it was so fast at straight line, I could not feel light front down force and under steering at corner. After Skywave650 riding, I felt a light weigh of Silverwing. It was so comfortable. I felt Hondaism from Silverwing.
TMAX
I enjoyed fast cornering on TMAX very much. I could bank to deep angle as possible, front tire moved to more inside of the corner. If I took a line as other scooters, I was surprised that TMAX almost touched a inside-pylon.
At middle or slow speed cornering, I could curve more small by additional turning a handle like a gymkhana
I couldn't touch my feet a ground, but only the tip of a toe. I wanted more power after trail riding of others.
Each concept of them are very different. If you have your interesting of the scooter why you want, your choice is different from other people. My choice is following:
- Skywave650
I will choose it for long touring at weekend or vacation.
- Silverwing
I will choose it for daily riding to go to work and touring instead of 250cc or 400cc scooters.
- TMAX
I will choose it for sport riding. I don't choose it for daily riding because I don't like often to touch my foot on the ground.
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