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Português

The Sundown STX Motard in my view was the surprise of the Brazilian motorcycle scene in 2007.  It's very innovative design, added to many positive details, made this motorcycle a must - at least to my eyes.  As I am a very experienced motorcyclist, with a keen eye for detail this bike got my attention since March 2007.  At that occasion I bought my Sundown Hunter 90, due to two facts: firstly because the price was very good, and secondly because I wanted to ride again a small motorcycle.

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As the time flew along 2007 I could know better the Sundown brand, and I could observe their very positive attitude towards the market: offering honest products, with good quality, innovative design and a cost x benefit ratio second to none; furthermore their pro-active and receptive assistance caught my attention.

During one year (From March 2007 to March 2008) I drove my Sundown Hunter 90, and became a huge fan of this little motorcycle.  But, as we need to evolve I perceived that the time had come to change to a bigger and more powerful motorcycle.  At this point I focused my attention towards that beautiful motorcycle that I came across when buying my Hunter 90 - the Sundown STX Motard.  My decision was made then,  I would buy that bike to commemorate in style my 38 Years of Motorcycling.  This bike won my preference in a bunch of options, including the recently unveiled Yamaha XTZ 250 X.

One of my brothers (thirteen years younger than me, and a "rookie" - as this is his first motorcycle) got fancied by the new Yamaha XTZ 250 X,  and gave me the mission of doing the research about this bike as we intended to buy two new motorcycles - preferably the same model.   However, my firm intention of keeping loyal to the Sundown brand and to Moto Limongi (Sundown dealer in Goiania - GO) made me buy the STX Motard, while my brother bought the Yamaha XTZ 250 X.

I kept my decision to myself and in this way I made a big surprise to my brother when I went to his house on Saturday morning ( 3rd of May, 2008).

Taking in account the differences of engine capacity (Sundown STX Motard - 200cc  /  Yamaha XTZ 250 X - 250cc)  and the fact that the Yamaha is fuel injected, I concluded that the Sundown STX Motard wins in all other details.  Among them the most important for me is the price: while I payed R$ 8.060,00 for my Sundown, my brother spent 50% more on his Yamaha, that cost him R$ 12.000,00.

The Sundown STX Motard offers exclusive items that put it in a niche at the medium sized motorcycles group in the Brazilian market, and definitely make it the first Brazilian motard: upside down front suspension, reinforced aluminium rims with strong spokes, a very well designed and devised exhaust that produces a distinctive noise, monochock rear suspension with compressed nitrogen on an aluminium swingarm, seat cover with grip surface,  O'ring 520 chain drive transmission, aluminium carter protection, a dry weight of 123 kg contrasting with the 132 kg of the Yamaha XTZ 250 X, reinforced and retractable aluminium pilot footrests, retractable ends at both: the gear lever and the rear brake pedal, etc.

In addition I could add that to my eyes the Sundown STX Motard shows a better balanced overall aspect, with a top design, and with a set of details principally concerning the finishings of the engine painting, engine nuts and bolts, and all the front and rear suspension parts better and stronger than the Yamaha XTZ 250 X.

What I have to say up to now is that I am very happy with my choice.  My Sundown STX Motard is "behaving" very well concerning the engine (smooth, yet crisp when revving), the suspension (progressive and soft, even in our rough asphalt), and regarding the overall driveability of the bike.

Early morning on the 13^th of May, 2008 I couldn't put my bike's engine to work.  I felt that the problem was related to the bike's electric system, probably the battery was running low in charge.  I still tried to push the  bike in second gear - this is what I normally do in such cases, usually in those circumstances I manage to put the engine to work when pushing the bike in second gear and releasing the clutch after reaching a reasonable speed.

Later on, by midday, I managed to turn on the engine using the abovementioned method; I went straight to the Sundown dealer where I left the bike for the usual tests aimed to identify problems regarding the electrics.  The mechanic (Baiano) told me that he identified the problem: the tachometer was "stealing" charge from the battery.  The solution was to disconnect the speedometer and tachometer and to fill the standard forms related to warranty procedures, asking for new clocks from the factory (which is located in Manaus - AM).

On the 15^th of May I went to a petrol station and I had a pleasant surprise: my bike covered the initial 210 km using only 7,19 litres of gasoline; this resulted on an average of 29,20 km/litre.    Now I am waiting for the new clocks to arrive from the factory, in order to replace the faulty ones;  the roads are calling me to complete the  break-in of my bike's engine.

Having decided to take the road with my bike, I went to Pirenópolis - GO - a historic city founded during the era of the gold exploration in our State (the era of the Bandeirantes).  I took Theresa with me, and while "working" on the engine's break-in we could do a proper evaluation on my Sundown STX Motard concerning performance, suspension and engine's consumption.

The trip would give us the opportunity of paying a visit to my relatives (my uncle Elder and aunt Beatriz) in their country house in that city.

Overall the bike performed very well regarding road performance, driveability in stone paved roads as we have in Pirenópolis, and economy.  I could achieve 25,44 km/litre riding with a pillion passenger (Theresa).  In many hilly stretches of the road I could use fifth gear, and in some I drove on fourth gear.  This is a good outcome from a motorcycle with a 200cc. engine carrying two adults.  I am confident to achieve in the near future (after the two initial maintenance services of the bike) an average of more than 30 km/litre when driving on paved roads.

On the 28^th of May, 2008 I returned to Moto Limongi (Sundown dealer) in order to have the clocks of my motorcycle (speedometer and tachometer) changed, as a consequence of the warranty I claimed for them.  The new clocks came from the factory and I was attended promptly by the staff.

Continuing with the break-in of our motorcycles' engines we (myself and my brother) did a little trip to Abadiânia - GO, a small town situated halfway between Goiânia -GO and Brasília-DF in the morning of the 31^st of May, 2008.  The performance of our bikes was very similar, and we achieved an average consumption of around 28 km/litre during this trip.

We rode approximately 210 km along the BR-060 road, in a pleasant and sunny morning.  My  bike´s new tachometer "behaved" erratically when revving above of the 6.000 rpm mark; in this way I will have to return to the Sundown dealer to have a chat with Baiano (the mechanic who take care of my bike) in order to find what could be happening to it.

On the 6^th of June, 2008 I took my motorcycle to the dealer for the 1.000 km maintenance service.  After a criterious service I could feel that my bike's engine was much smoother than before, principally due to valve adjustment and an oil change using a part sinthetic oil recommended by the motorcycle maker: (Castrol 4T 20W50 API SG Actevo).  I added 100ml of Bardahl B12 Plus - a very traditional oil additive - to the carter content; and all that resulted in a very smooth and "easy working" engine.

For my surprise, on the day prior to that service I filled up the tank of my motorcycle with 5,12 litre of gasoline after riding for 163 km since topping up the fuel at Anápolis - GO (63 km on road plus 100 km on urban traffic) wich resulted on an excellent average: 31,83 km/litre.  I have a bold goal: it is my intention to achieve an average around 35 km/litre from now on.

It is worth mentioning that the Sundown STX Motard is not "pillion passenger-friendly" at urban traffic due to the heat coming from the exhaust, which causes discomfort to them.  The slow speeds combined with the constant stop-and-go at the traffic lights result in a very hot exhaust pipe; the heat affects mainly the right leg of the pillion passenger at the ankle region.

On the 19^th of June, 2008 I topped up the fuel tank of my motorcycle after riding for 184 km (from which 90 km on road, with a pillion passenger); I achieved an average of 30,16 km/litre - 184 km spending 6,10 litres of gasoline.  The following visit to a petrol station was on the 21^th of June, 2008; on  that occasion I topped up the tank with 5,33 litres after riding 162 km of urban traffic, resulting in a very good average of 30,39 km/litre.

It is interesting to mention that in Europe is being sold a motorcycle identical to the Sundown STX Motard, this is the 2008 Kreidler Supermoto 250 DD.

On the 24^th of July, 2008 I took my STX Motard to the Sundown dealer (Moto Limongi) in order to fix a small leak at the gear change lever,  the service was done within the factory warranty at no cost for me.  The gasket was replaced by a new one and the problem fixed promptly.

On Saturday - the 26^th of July, 2008 I went to Brasília - D.F. in the morning (I arrived there around 10:00 am) and I returned by 15:00 hs (03:00 pm) to Goiânia - GO, in order to check what was going on during the 5^th Moto Capital (an event to commemorate the Motorcyclists National Day).  When going to Brasília I rode between 90 - 115 km/h and my motorcycle could achieve an average consumption of 24,50 km/l (208 km with 8,49 litres of fuel).

When returning to Goiânia - GO I rode between 80-90 km/h and I could achieve the fantastic average of 36,63 km/litre (244 km with 6,66 litres of gasoline).  It is important to mention that this wonderful economy was achieved due to two main factors: the smaller velocity (if comparing to that of the first leg of my trip), and the plain stretches of road in conjunction with many descents.  Brasília is located at the "highlands" of the Mid-West region of Brazil (around 1.100 meters above the sea level), while Goiânia is located at approximately 733 meters above sea level.

On the 19^th of August, 2008 I took my STX Motard to the 3.000 km maintenance service; on that occasion I emphasized to the mechanic at the dealer Moto Limongi that I was facing a problem every morning when cold starting my bike´s engine: if I couldn´t get the engine running at the first try I would have to push the bike, as the battery wasn´t strong enough to power correctly the electric starter.  Then they gave a "slow charge" at the battery during one day, and the problem was apparently solved.

Despite of that my bike kept playing up with me, then I decided to return with the bike to the dealer´s workshop on the 2^nd of September, 2008.  The staff promptly replaced the battery and the rectifier for new ones, and told me that they will replace the entire panel of the motorcycle (for the second time, see above about the first replacement) -  at no cost whatsoever for me, as everything is being covered by the factory warranty.  They reported to me that the tachometer was "stealing charge" from the battery again, so they disconnected it until the new one comes from the factory.  Consequently I have to praise their attitude towards consumers; up to now Sundown have been honouring their warranty policy completely.

I took the opportunity to have my motorcycle´s carburator fine tuned, as I was observing that the engine was "gasping and cutting" when slowing down and changing gears.  As I have a keen eye for detail all those aspects matters a lot for me.

Lately I had been thinking in a way to avoid spillage from mud and rain water at the high parts of the front suspension of my STXMotard.  Then I came across with the idea of adapting a front fender from the Honda CBX Twister (a.k.a. Honda CBF 250).  On the 24^th of September, 2008 I bought a plastic front fender - easily found at the aftermarket parts suppliers in Brazil, and I fixed it (by riveting it) to the original plastic protection covers of the front suspension.

I became very pleased indeed with the result.  It happened to be a very harmonious and pleasing to the eyes result.  In the near future I will be devising a way of doing something to the rear of my motorcycle.

I couldn´t wait until I had the complete set (front and rear) of customized mudguards; so on the 1^st of October, 2008 I installed the rear part, devised and made by me in three days from scrap aluminium parts (used to assemble bathroom boxes).

The customized part became functional and light, yet sturdy.  The only problem was the way I had to fix it at the rear axle, thus compromising the centralization of the rear rim because of the mudguard's arms.

After a couple of days of brainstorming my mind came out with the solution: I should assemble a new piece from scratch.  But this time I focused on details concerning the form (rounded to the proportion of the tire); the aluminium bar arms, the electrostatic painting of the set, exception made to the right arm that I left on purpose on natural aluminium; the rubber pieces I used to diminish vibration, etc.  In reality the new piece came out much better overall than the first one.

However, it is practical to test the viability of such parts in a daily use basis.  Thus, due to the constant breakage of the right arm of it caused by the vibration transmitted by the engine rotation I gave up to keep the part installed in my motorcycle.

On the 29/10/2008 I left Goiania - GO towards the south of the State of Minas Gerais, heading specifically to Lavras - MG - city 877 km far from Goiânia.  By 05:00 am sharp I left home and I reached my final destination by 06:00 pm after riding for 13 hours, having stopped five times along the day for refuelling the bike and myself.

My motorcycle "behaved" very well indeed, and I could keep a good speed average, and an average fuel consumption coherent with the general conditions of this trip (various velocities reached along the way, and the total amount of luggage).  The final average consumption my bike achieved was 26,2 km/litre.

I used a special oil produced by Bardahl to lubricate the internal parts of the chain drive - a high viscosity oil for kart and motorcycle chain drives - Maxlub Kart e Moto, This is the best lubricant I came across so far to be used at the chain drive.  It comes in a very practical tube (100 ml), that makes it easy to dispense the product and even to tight the cap when finishing to use it.

On the 03/11/2008 I came back to Goiania - GO; I left Lavras - MG by 06:45 am and I arrived at Goiania - GO by 06:30 pm - thus resulting in a very good output for this traject: I covered the same distance of 877 kilometers in 11 hours and forty five minutes.  I increased my speed average and the bike performance resulted in a bigger consumption of fuel - around 23,4 km/litre.

Positive highlights that I observed during this trip with my Sundown STX Motard:

• my bike's engine is revving smooth; there are no unwanted vibrations, the motorcycle is able to maintain speed even in uphill conditions, and the suspensions (front and back) work perfectly;
• the transmission parts work silent and smooth, and the whole set is perfectly adjusted; this is by far the most efficient transmission that I ever had in all the motorcycles I have ridden up to now;
• the driving position is very good, thus allowing a comfortable and safe riding - I really got used to the Motard style.

Due to this trip it came vividly to my mind the superb Kawasaki KLR 600 I owned in Australia (Brisbane - QLD), when I lived there at the end of the eighties / beginning of the nineties.

I took my bike to the Sundown dealer Moto Limongi on the 05/11/2008 for the 6.000 km maintenance service.  On that occasion they put in a new set of speedometer and tachometer, which was partially unplugged (tachometer and neutral light since 02/09/2008 as described above in this page).  This is the third set of clocks used in my motorcycle, and this time I am sure about solving the problem.  They put in a new left side front fork tube, due to the fact that the golden painting of the part was tainted and loosing the original brightness.  All this was done with no costs whatsoever for me.

I emphasize once more: the terms of warranty have been strictly honoured by the factory, having the excelent support of Moto Limongi.  Anyway, despite the problems mentioned up to now, none of this have restrained me of enjoying my Sundown STX Motard, either in the urban traffic or during road trips.  And by all means I would buy the same bike again, if it was the case, due to its unique characteristics, as I pointed out along this page.

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