My very first aesthetic reaction was "what in the hell is that?" Somehow, in reading all of the magazine test articles and in looking at all the pictures, I'd managed to avoid noticing the hideously ugly cream-and-green lightning slash that they stuck on the gas tank in order to uglify a perfectly nice looking motorcycle. I was somewhat pacified to see that they were decals, and therefore hopefully removeable, but I still didn't like them at all. Other than that, the bike was pretty attractive. I still like the instrument panel, even though the headlight felt like it was half a block away from the handlebars. I was surprised at how heavy the Mean Streak is, though that's my sportsbike history talking. If I was cut out to be a rough and tumble fringed-leather cruiser-riding motorcycle mama, I think the Mean Streak would still be my first choice (after those decals were removed, I mean). But I still can't shake the feeling that it looks better in pictures than in real life.

My thoughts from the saddle: Heavy. The reach to the bars is comfortable, but erring on the side of too long for me. I think I'd have problems at full lock -- I was smooshed all the way up against the gas tank, and my arms were still almost totally straight. The gauges and idiot lights were well-positioned and easy to read. The headlight/front wheel feels like it's a million miles away from the seat -- this would give me handling problems at first, but again, that's my sportsbike bias talking.

Motorcycle.com's First Ride of the Mean Streak