| Hi Fellas - suddenly everybody is buying a G4 Hummer! My review won't be ready for a few weeks yet, until the bike's run in. At that point I'll be able to really put the bike through it's paces.
In the meantime - here's a few tips for when your bike arrives:
1. Fitting the handlebars: The bars have two ridged rings scored into their surface, which makes the fitting more secure. This works so well, you can't adjust the angle even when the bolts are loosened. You have to actually pop them out of the retaining clamp and then rotate.
2. The assembly instructions warn you about not using the front brake lever until the brake pads have been fitted - but be aware there are no brake pads fitted to the back wheel either. Be sure to fit the rear wheel brake pads before depressing the rear brake lever - otherwise you will have to release some fluid to push the brake pistons back in.
3. When raising the rear of the bike to insert the frame linkage pin - be sure to grease the pin well before insertion. Note that the other 2 pins which have already been inserted are not pre-lubed either - so you should give them a decent grease whilst your at it.
4. I don't know what oil or hydraulic fluids the Chinese put in these bikes before shipping - and for that reason I replaced all fluids with locally available products. I like Castrol Active 4T 4-stroke oil and I like Castrol fork oil 5 for MX work.
5. Be careful with the battery. Shorting it out on the frame is not only a lively experience - it can also damage the CDI ignition. Connecting the plastic terminal covers before putting the battery into it's box is a good start.
6. The fuel switch is connected to the tank right behind the diagonal frame brace - which (if you have large hands) makes things a little difficult. On mine, the fuel line was not connected - and this was an additional job I had to do. Be careful with how you set up the fuel line - you don't want any sharp kinks or to put it near moving suspension components. Use a tie to secure if necessary.
7. Get yourself a torque wrench and check the tightness on everything.
8. Be careful when running in. Run for fairly short periods and don't go past 3/4 throttle for the first 500kms. These bikes run hot at first - but will run progressively cooler as the running-in period gets toward the end.
8. Change the oil at 300, 600 & 1000kms - at which point the bike should be run-in. The oil drain filter and oil screen filter are both located internally. You will be surprised at how much metal accumulates in these whilst you are running in the bike - but this is perfectly normal. Just make sure they are cleaned out during the oil changes - and at subsequent service intervals.  |