Another Capo Newbie

[jdm1intx]

Just picked up my '03 Capo today. I've already put about 120 miles on it, and so far I'm very happy with it. I stepped up from a 250cc Honda Rebel beginner bike. I spent a lot of time and thought on what I would replace the Rebel with, and after reading about a jillion reviews and test riding a dozen or so bikes, I settled on a Capo.

I'm a big guy, 6'3" at 280 lbs. with a 32" inseam so the ride height on the Capo fits me perfectly. I must say that I feel a lot less ridiculous-looking on it as well. I looked like an elephant riding a minibike on the Rebel.

The only troubles I've had so far in adjusting to the Capo is the fact that you *cannot* allow any leans to develop when sitting at a stop light or being stopped for any reason. I nearly lost it once when I let it lean over a little to the left and it suddenly took a plunge for the pavement like a huge hand had grabbed it and was pulling down for all it was worth. It took every bit of strength I had to stop the momentum and get it back upright again. I paid a lot more attention to its attitude at a stop after that.

The performance is simply wonderful. Not *quite* as zippy as a Futura, but more than adequate for me. It is so great to be able to keep up with traffic with a tiny twist of the throttle instead of having to keep it twisted wide open all the time. Passing was a very leisurely affair on the Reb, but with the Capo you just kind of think a little about the throttle and next thing you know you're doing 90 and all the traffic has faded into the distance behind you.

I look forward to many happy miles on it.

John M.
Hurst, Tx

[CAPO4US]

JOHN,
Good luck with your new BEAST....and RIDE SAFE!
TONY

[silvercapo]

Welcome to the world of happy capo owners! It's fun seeing your excitement with the new bike - helps to keep mine fresh as I celebrate an anniversary of ownership.

Going to any larger bike from a Rebel will be an adjustment. One of the first things that I remember when I first owned a heavy bike is the lesson that you learned at the stop light. You have to keep it balanced. Tipping over at an intersection is embarassing - but many of us have been there and done that. There are worse bikes than the Capo for that, believe me....!

Have Fun!

Jack
Silver Capo 02
Pensacola, FL

[Ergo]

Congratulations John!!!

Appreciate you sharing your comments on your new ride for everyone to see. I've been lurking for a while and seem to have the Capo in my sights as well. Best of luck and keep sharing your thoughts of the bike will you!

Paul
Raleigh, NC

[jdm1intx]

Thanks all of you for your feedback and comments. I will certainly keep posting comments about my experiences with the bike.

I think I'm definitely going to go for the euro sidestand. I can't imagine what those DOT bureaucrats were thinking, requiring such a ridiculous lean angle for the american version.

I'm also going to look for some fatter handgrips. The stock ones are just too skinny and hard. My throttle hand in particular is having a much harder time keeping the circulation going than it did with the Rebel. I need some nice big meaty grips.

John M.

[CapoNordTodd]

Hi John!

Welcome and congratulations.

As for your wanting bigger grips, the best solution I found was to relax my hand. Early on in my motorcycling career, I was constantly getting numbness and tingling. I was talking with a friend who had recently gone to a track school, and the first story he told was that he learned that you should be holding the grips as if they were a baby chick, i.e. very light grip, barely more than resting your hand on the bars. I realized that I had been clutching the bars in a deathgrip, and althought it took some conscious effort, I now have a light grip that's rarely numb.

IMHO, of course, YMMV

cheers!

t

[Valkmaster]

If your bike is an '03 like you said then it should already be equipped the the improved sidestand. The shorter sidestand was originally shipped with '02 models. I have an '02 and the dealer had it replaced for free but it's my understanding that all '03s come with the proper sidestand from the factory. Check the link below to confirm:
www.caporider.com/Sidestand.shtml

[jdm1intx]

Nope, it's an '03 but it has the bent sidestand. Perhaps it's an early '03. Anyway, I emailed OnYerBike about ordering one. I suppose I should call my dealer too, on the off chance they might be able to get me one.

John M.

[Valkmaster]

Crap :-( I was sure all '03s come with the better sidestand, like the dealer said. A friend of mine just picked up his '03 fresh from the crate last week and it came with the longer sidestand. Like you said, maybe the early '03s...

[mrpete64]

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[jdm1intx]

Yes, I do find myself doing that at times, and relaxing did work on my Rebel, but it's not helping altogether on the Capo. There's always some slight numbness. I think it also may be due in part to the fact that the Capo's handlebar's are higher than the Rebel's were, so my arms are held more horizontally than before. At any rate, I'm sure I'll get used to it over time. Doing more exercises (besides lifting a fork from my plate to my mouth) would certainly help too.

John M.

[silvercapo]

The best $10 bucks I have spent on my bike was this simple little gizmo. It allows the heel of your hand to carry the brunt of the load while cruising. It is of more daily use to me than the Throttle Meister that I installed, and if I had to choose between them, I would keep the Rocker.

However, the advice to relax your grip is really worth following. On the rare occasion that I still find my throttle hand going numb (always the throttle hand) it is due to a sub-conscious death grip on the throttle.

Jack
Silver Capo 02
Pensacola, FL

[Aregata4x4]

I also have 03 with the funky stand. It came straight from the crate around May 03 so it might be and early model. But I have to say thst it does not bother me that much, yes it requires some wrestling with the bike but overall is not bad.
Arek