Hey gang,

Brand new 2006 S40 owner here (and a new bike rider as well).  Bought it three weeks ago and it had only 1289 miles.  I read up on this bike and saw that it was the best one for starter bikes, and I'm glad I bought it.  This site is a great resource as well, another reason why I settled on this bike.  Thanks to all who make this site possible.

Now my questions.   I saw the dent trick in the tech section and I wanted to try it on the dent on the right side of my tank (previous owner let it tip over).  Do I need to use as much gas as possible before trying this or does it even matter?  The article didn't mention this.

Also, I'm 5'10" and 210 lbs.  Haven't taken the bike out on the superslab yet but will have to when I start riding to work after the MSF class.  How does this bike handle at highway speeds (65-75) with someone of my size and weight?  I'm looking for things like acceleration, stability, and the ability to maintain these speeds because south Texas drivers tend not to respect bikers on highways a whole lot.  Might be a little late to ask this since I've already invested in this bike, but was just curious.  Thanks in advance.

Squid Boy,

Can't help you with the dent question. Sorry.
As for the performance question, I'm 5'11", 265lbs (unfortunately). I've run my unmod'd '08 S40 up to 86mph before my pucker factor kicked in, and had throttle to spare. I've passed motorists at 70mph plus, uphill in 5th gear, and can easliy hang with the big boys, be they on bikes, in cars, trucks, or semi's. The only thing that'll suffer is your mpg at speeds over 65mph, and even then it won't be by much. Most of my riding is superslab in DFW. The bike will do fine. As I've grown more accustomed to the bike, and more comfortable asserting my lane space rights on it, I find I can run at speeds I'm more comfortable with, and not get disrespected by everyone on the freeway. Some, but not everyone. Enjoy the bike.

You'll feel bumps but you wont be tossed off the bike by any stretch of the imagination. For big ones lift your weight up on the foot pegs a bit or the jarring may be less than comfortable. This will run 70mph all day without even trying. Never got the bawls to push it past 85 but Im CERTAIN it will hit the indicated 100mph. probably more if you really push it but at that point you're wearing your engine out quickly. It is an acceleration beast. Stability wise...actually as far as all your Q's go (minus the dent issue) you have nothing to worry about. In my opinion this bike is the best bang for the buck otherwise i wouldnt be riding it. May I just say...dont hit the slab until you're comfortable doing so. Semi's passing you and strong crosswinds caught me off gaurd when I started riding. You'll get used to it quickly but its something you should ease into.

If you are referring to the Dry Ice method, my best guess is the less fuel in the tank the better as the fuel would likely act as a heat sink.

I too like many of us purchased a slightly used bike with the tip over dent this spring and was gonna try the ice method, untill realizing how far I had to drive to find a seller of carbonic. Instead purchasing a Fix O Dent from a major retailer for under $20 and found it worked much better than I had expected for something that had at one time been hawked on late nite TV.  

Just another option....and believe you me with all the dents in the wife's car I've gotton more than $20 worth of use from it.  

I commute on mine 35+ miles each way.  I travel 65-70 most of the time and LOVE it.  I have learned to watch for oncomming trucks...they can really blast you with air...but I just watch and then brace myself...and then it's over.

Ride Safe