I tried a 21g and 23g weight once. Acceleration with the two was down. MPG looked like it would be fantastic with the 23g and just better with the 21g weight. I didn't leave the 23g weight in for longer than a few miles. It was like constantly having a car in too high of gear all the time. I didn't believe the vibration would be good for it in the long run. I find the 19g weight has me at 5300 rpms at 70 mph indicated on flat roads with no wind. The 18g weight is at 5800 rpms.
I've kept records of both bikes, so there's about 75,000 miles of similar riding to compare. Even with the OEM weights being 1000 rpms higher generally, the MPG in the same situations hasn't really changed except for summer/winter gas variation between OEM weights and 18g and 19g DPS weights. What you do get for advantages is better acceleration and a more relaxed feeling when cruising with the lower rpms.
I also noticed something when I did the SS1000 last year. I had in the 19g weights then. MPG went down when my speed got up to 75-80 mph (gps, not indicated). Why? Because you're still pushing a brick through the air and the air resistance is like a hand holding you back. I don't think you'll hit redline, or any higher mph at top end.
One of the things I noticed when I bought my 2008 400, is that it is less settled than the 2007 400 was. There were times when I had just sold the 2007, that I wished I had it back. You would think the two bikes would be the same, but they aren't. I like the 2008, but it is just like you describe. Get on a bumpy road at 90+ mph, and the bike loses its composure. Of course I've only done that once in a few minutes of stupidity, so it isn't worth worrying about. Nor do I intend on doing it again.
Chris
I've kept records of both bikes, so there's about 75,000 miles of similar riding to compare. Even with the OEM weights being 1000 rpms higher generally, the MPG in the same situations hasn't really changed except for summer/winter gas variation between OEM weights and 18g and 19g DPS weights. What you do get for advantages is better acceleration and a more relaxed feeling when cruising with the lower rpms.
I also noticed something when I did the SS1000 last year. I had in the 19g weights then. MPG went down when my speed got up to 75-80 mph (gps, not indicated). Why? Because you're still pushing a brick through the air and the air resistance is like a hand holding you back. I don't think you'll hit redline, or any higher mph at top end.
One of the things I noticed when I bought my 2008 400, is that it is less settled than the 2007 400 was. There were times when I had just sold the 2007, that I wished I had it back. You would think the two bikes would be the same, but they aren't. I like the 2008, but it is just like you describe. Get on a bumpy road at 90+ mph, and the bike loses its composure. Of course I've only done that once in a few minutes of stupidity, so it isn't worth worrying about. Nor do I intend on doing it again.
Chris
