New 2.5L owner, things I hate about the motorcycle.

[Nashvegas]

@Nashvegas upgraded his rear suspension and might chime in to share his experience. I remember that he was very happy with his choice.

I went with the Wilbers 643 Competition QS from EPM Performance and it really shines in corners with any irregularities or washboard bumps. A huge improvement. In a straight line, a big bump is still going to feel like a big bump but the recovery time is much quicker. The “floatiness” is gone, particularly in a series of smaller bumps. A tune and that rear shock are the two biggest, noticeable improvements I think one can do to these bikes.

​

 

[David Gravlin]

It is a great motorcycle, otherwise I would not have thrown ~28K USD on it. But not without its faults.

Things I strongly dislike about it:

- Inability to put on generic grips, there are so many better handlebar grips out there...
- Inability to put on floorboards, none are made for this model, GT and no floor board choices at all, shame, shame!
- Strange mix of allen/hex and torx bolts, I don't get it. How is that is superior to having a single type?
- I like the storm black, looks way better than prior silver models, but it still has too much silver displayed that cheapens it
- I truly hate the design for the BIG silver bolt heads, looks like a flower.. Silver. Same with the handlebar ends.. Not good for a sports bike or a cruiser to have such girly decoration. Who approved this ****?
- On a GT the boot heat shields are so small, they can catch laces easily. You'd want to put your leg down but the loop is stuck on the shield..
- The dash is terrible. Small font, can't see ****, too many numbers too close together, the frame of it feels cheap and too silver, again. Overengineered and over designed. You do know they have a normal rectangular display, and they put plastic dividers above to simulate, as if it is an array of smaller oddly shaped LCDs? OMG.
- The front mudflap from the rear wheel is too short, stuff always gets collected where the swing arm begins.
- I feel like the clutch is too stiff for a hydraulic one, could have been lighter
- The phone pocket under the seat is just needless. Who puts phones so far and hard to access?
- I don't get why the front turn signals are not reused to be also the running lights, like on most bikes nowadays...
- The rear brake (2025 model) is still lacking performance. Doesn't do a good job. There are heavier bikes with better rear brakes. I don't get the issue here. So many years trying to better it and it is still not optimal.
- The included tools on this bike from the side cover is just laughable. What you are going to do with it?
- The covers for coolant, oil, and gas are too plain. They made the bolts super fancy but left these covers plain as for a tractor. On a black storm the hugely silvery gas cap looks just out of place. Little thought went into most prominent feature.
- The gear shift pedal is too short. If you have a big size and riding in Harley style boots, it is troublesome to get under the shift lever, it is like you must ride in sneakers. The height is not adjustable. No other levers are for sale

 

[David Gravlin]

It is a great motorcycle, otherwise I would not have thrown ~28K USD on it. But not without its faults.

Things I strongly dislike about it:

- Inability to put on generic grips, there are so many better handlebar grips out there...
- Inability to put on floorboards, none are made for this model, GT and no floor board choices at all, shame, shame!
- Strange mix of allen/hex and torx bolts, I don't get it. How is that is superior to having a single type?
- I like the storm black, looks way better than prior silver models, but it still has too much silver displayed that cheapens it
- I truly hate the design for the BIG silver bolt heads, looks like a flower.. Silver. Same with the handlebar ends.. Not good for a sports bike or a cruiser to have such girly decoration. Who approved this ****?
- On a GT the boot heat shields are so small, they can catch laces easily. You'd want to put your leg down but the loop is stuck on the shield..
- The dash is terrible. Small font, can't see ****, too many numbers too close together, the frame of it feels cheap and too silver, again. Overengineered and over designed. You do know they have a normal rectangular display, and they put plastic dividers above to simulate, as if it is an array of smaller oddly shaped LCDs? OMG.
- The front mudflap from the rear wheel is too short, stuff always gets collected where the swing arm begins.
- I feel like the clutch is too stiff for a hydraulic one, could have been lighter
- The phone pocket under the seat is just needless. Who puts phones so far and hard to access?
- I don't get why the front turn signals are not reused to be also the running lights, like on most bikes nowadays...
- The rear brake (2025 model) is still lacking performance. Doesn't do a good job. There are heavier bikes with better rear brakes. I don't get the issue here. So many years trying to better it and it is still not optimal.
- The included tools on this bike from the side cover is just laughable. What you are going to do with it?
- The covers for coolant, oil, and gas are too plain. They made the bolts super fancy but left these covers plain as for a tractor. On a black storm the hugely silvery gas cap looks just out of place. Little thought went into most prominent feature.
- The gear shift pedal is too short. If you have a big size and riding in Harley style boots, it is troublesome to get under the shift lever, it is like you must ride in sneakers. The height is not adjustable. No other levers are for sale.

Wow if I like disliked anything that much I wouldn't have spent two cents on it never mind 28,000

 

[David Gravlin]

Wow if I like disliked anything that much I wouldn't have spent two cents on it never mind 28,000

My rocket is like my wife I love it unconditionally try and find something better

 

[rick danger]

I went with the Wilbers 643 Competition QS from EPM Performance and it really shines in corners with any irregularities or washboard bumps. A huge improvement. In a straight line, a big bump is still going to feel like a big bump but the recovery time is much quicker. The “floatiness” is gone, particularly in a series of smaller bumps. A tune and that rear shock are the two biggest, noticeable improvements I think one can do to these bikes.

​

Wow not a cheap piece to take a chance on. Do you think it made a $1500 improvement? My real gripe is the hard hits on my spine. But you say it doesn't do much for those? I guess everybody is after improvements in different areas

 

[Nashvegas]

Wow not a cheap piece to take a chance on. Do you think it made a $1500 improvement? My real gripe is the hard hits on my spine. But you say it doesn't do much for those? I guess everybody is after improvements in different areas

Absolutely worth it, to me. I spent $2k on a Vandemon exhaust and if I had to choose one or the other I would definitely go with the shock. I have a Paul Bryant/Viking headers/exhaust coming soon because his system is more effective/efficient. I don’t foresee going with a different shock. It is really that good. Highway bumps aren’t nearly as sharp/jarring and the rear stays in MUCH better contact with the pavement. Around corners it is stellar.

 

[rick danger]

Absolutely worth it, to me. I spent $2k on a Vandemon exhaust and if I had to choose one or the other I would definitely go with the shock. I have a Paul Bryant/Viking headers/exhaust coming soon because his system is more effective/efficient. I don’t foresee going with a different shock. It is really that good. Highway bumps aren’t nearly as sharp/jarring and the rear stays in MUCH better contact with the pavement. Around corners it is stellar.

Thanks for the info. You feel better spending that kind of money hearing reviews like that