Spent last few days doing the demo rides at daytona,
beautiful weather btw
Couple note worthly observations and pictures:
Did the Aprilia "adventure". It's a demo ride but you pay $20 and go on
an hour and half ride (and get some free stuff, hat, shirt, etc.)
I got to ride a....
Pros:
Looks are killer, love the wheels.
The engine is very capable, nothingearth shaking but very good power.
I think piped and with a power comander,it would be even sweeter, no compliants. Not quite as strong as a Jap liter but close.
Brakes were awesome, freakish. One finger, major stopping power.
Handling was as expected, very good.
Exclusitivity, don't see a lot of these around.
Cons:
ERGONOMICS, nothing quite like riding in an extreme fetal position. I've ridden
a lot of R1s and ZX10rs (no gsxr 1000s though, get to that in a sec) and
nothing is quite as extreme as this. Your hands are way low and forward and
if you get a chance to sit on one, make sure someone holds the bike and
the big surprise is when you put your feet on the pegs. Your knees are in
your chest. This translates to a very aggressive riding position, your knees
and hands are at about the same level. I don't think they can bend anymore
than they were. You are so far forward, (and I am not tall) that I was looking
OVER the windshield and seeing the front of the fairing.
Conclusion: Very capable track weapon, very sweet looks but the riding position
makes everyday use or trips longer than 30 min. almost laughable. And as
I was telling my son for the price of the stock unit, you could pick up an R1
(which is a better overall bike, imho) and put exhaust on it with a PC.
Also on my Aprilia ride rode a
Pros: the engine is a 750 but it was surprising. Stronger than I expected from
a twin. I know it's a 100cc more but quite a bit stronger than the sv650 I rode.
Cons: O.M.G....the hardest seat known to man. It was a plank with vinyl on
it. Words can not do it justice, it's one of those "Shibumi" things...you have
to experience it before we can talk about it
Very tall bike, I was on my tip toes at all stops.
Big surprise for me...
Coming from a harley basher (I'm softening btw) this bike was pure fun. I
think it was derived from dirt track or short track heritage and from the
moment you get on this bike it says "ride like hell, tear around everywhere".
And you really can, hats of to harley. Bike hauled arse with plenty of power
and decent handling to boot. After all the rides of a couple days with my Son,
and he's a sport bike junkie, that's the one he enjoyed the most and is pricing
online. Not a fan of the battleship grey motor, but for fun...this bike is a absolute
BLAST. Course that's what it's all about isn't it...fun. I could see myself buying
this bike and not even cleaning it...just ride and have fun. BTW-the stock
exhaust it kinda sweet, I wouldn't even spend the money for exhaust. Just
buy and ride...and ride...and ride.
Yamaha:
Rode the new...
It's got the new cross spline something or other motor...stellar. Couse I'm partial
to the R1, but this thing is smooth.
Sidebar-although this seems obvious...part of riding a particular motorcycle is
finding it's sweet spots. The problem is after riding a busa, which has the largest
"sweet spot" on the entire planet, i.e. any gear any speed it still pulls a stump
out of the ground, it spoils the crap out you. Another example, the Zx10r has
a "green" range on the tack from I think 6000-9000 rpms (somewhere around there).
Back to the R1, so...once you realize the liters are happier in the upper range
and ride accordingly (maybe stay in 3rd gear thru town) the lack of low end
power disappears. The R1 differs in the aspect of the engine being so smooth,
I couldn't tell if I were running at 3000 rpm or 6000 rpm.
Couple the smoothness with the power, overall good looks, brakes, undertail
exhaust, etc....best liter bike IMHO.
Also, first time on a warrior
NIce bike, lots of power for a twin...got the harley jiggle at stop lights though.
Rode the Raider again...bike just flat out smokes
And the V-max again...phenominal power.
Suzuki:
Suzuki sux. NO GONADS. As usual no GSXRs, 600s, 750s, 1000s, no BUSA
not even the Gladius. Oh they had the B-king (which is discontinued) ???
I was there a week ago, and while other makers were demoing there bikes
the Zuk demo truck didn't even show up till wednesday with there alotment
of cruisers and scooters...oh yea.
Honda:
Honda was the worst, no demos period. Honda rep said there "research"
indicated that the demos had no effect on sales...well, duh. Every bike you
got is in need of an update. I rode an St1300 last year, then got on an FJR
and a concourse...I wouldn't be buying a ST1300 either.
Harley:
Harley had it going on. The regestration process was computerized, you insert
your licences, read electronically, sign, get printed a ticket with a bar code. Take the ticket (and keep it) get in line for desired family of bike, guy scans it
and your off. Tons of bikes, just get in line...didn't wait more than 5 min a line.
Victory:
Very quick line, rode several times (the HAMMER JUST SMOKES, it's a beast)
They are offering a 5 year factory warranty.
Kawi:
Excellant demo rides, what can I say, ZX14 great bike. Rode the 10 but like
the R1 much better. R1 was a lot smoother.
Neat display shot...
beautiful weather btw
Couple note worthly observations and pictures:
Did the Aprilia "adventure". It's a demo ride but you pay $20 and go on
an hour and half ride (and get some free stuff, hat, shirt, etc.)
I got to ride a....
Pros:
Looks are killer, love the wheels.
The engine is very capable, nothingearth shaking but very good power.
I think piped and with a power comander,it would be even sweeter, no compliants. Not quite as strong as a Jap liter but close.
Brakes were awesome, freakish. One finger, major stopping power.
Handling was as expected, very good.
Exclusitivity, don't see a lot of these around.
Cons:
ERGONOMICS, nothing quite like riding in an extreme fetal position. I've ridden
a lot of R1s and ZX10rs (no gsxr 1000s though, get to that in a sec) and
nothing is quite as extreme as this. Your hands are way low and forward and
if you get a chance to sit on one, make sure someone holds the bike and
the big surprise is when you put your feet on the pegs. Your knees are in
your chest. This translates to a very aggressive riding position, your knees
and hands are at about the same level. I don't think they can bend anymore
than they were. You are so far forward, (and I am not tall) that I was looking
OVER the windshield and seeing the front of the fairing.
Conclusion: Very capable track weapon, very sweet looks but the riding position
makes everyday use or trips longer than 30 min. almost laughable. And as
I was telling my son for the price of the stock unit, you could pick up an R1
(which is a better overall bike, imho) and put exhaust on it with a PC.
Also on my Aprilia ride rode a
Pros: the engine is a 750 but it was surprising. Stronger than I expected from
a twin. I know it's a 100cc more but quite a bit stronger than the sv650 I rode.
Cons: O.M.G....the hardest seat known to man. It was a plank with vinyl on
it. Words can not do it justice, it's one of those "Shibumi" things...you have
to experience it before we can talk about it
Very tall bike, I was on my tip toes at all stops.
Big surprise for me...
Coming from a harley basher (I'm softening btw) this bike was pure fun. I
think it was derived from dirt track or short track heritage and from the
moment you get on this bike it says "ride like hell, tear around everywhere".
And you really can, hats of to harley. Bike hauled arse with plenty of power
and decent handling to boot. After all the rides of a couple days with my Son,
and he's a sport bike junkie, that's the one he enjoyed the most and is pricing
online. Not a fan of the battleship grey motor, but for fun...this bike is a absolute
BLAST. Course that's what it's all about isn't it...fun. I could see myself buying
this bike and not even cleaning it...just ride and have fun. BTW-the stock
exhaust it kinda sweet, I wouldn't even spend the money for exhaust. Just
buy and ride...and ride...and ride.
Yamaha:
Rode the new...
It's got the new cross spline something or other motor...stellar. Couse I'm partial
to the R1, but this thing is smooth.
Sidebar-although this seems obvious...part of riding a particular motorcycle is
finding it's sweet spots. The problem is after riding a busa, which has the largest
"sweet spot" on the entire planet, i.e. any gear any speed it still pulls a stump
out of the ground, it spoils the crap out you. Another example, the Zx10r has
a "green" range on the tack from I think 6000-9000 rpms (somewhere around there).
Back to the R1, so...once you realize the liters are happier in the upper range
and ride accordingly (maybe stay in 3rd gear thru town) the lack of low end
power disappears. The R1 differs in the aspect of the engine being so smooth,
I couldn't tell if I were running at 3000 rpm or 6000 rpm.
Couple the smoothness with the power, overall good looks, brakes, undertail
exhaust, etc....best liter bike IMHO.
Also, first time on a warrior
NIce bike, lots of power for a twin...got the harley jiggle at stop lights though.
Rode the Raider again...bike just flat out smokes
And the V-max again...phenominal power.
Suzuki:
Suzuki sux. NO GONADS. As usual no GSXRs, 600s, 750s, 1000s, no BUSA
not even the Gladius. Oh they had the B-king (which is discontinued) ???
I was there a week ago, and while other makers were demoing there bikes
the Zuk demo truck didn't even show up till wednesday with there alotment
of cruisers and scooters...oh yea.
Honda:
Honda was the worst, no demos period. Honda rep said there "research"
indicated that the demos had no effect on sales...well, duh. Every bike you
got is in need of an update. I rode an St1300 last year, then got on an FJR
and a concourse...I wouldn't be buying a ST1300 either.
Harley:
Harley had it going on. The regestration process was computerized, you insert
your licences, read electronically, sign, get printed a ticket with a bar code. Take the ticket (and keep it) get in line for desired family of bike, guy scans it
and your off. Tons of bikes, just get in line...didn't wait more than 5 min a line.
Victory:
Very quick line, rode several times (the HAMMER JUST SMOKES, it's a beast)
They are offering a 5 year factory warranty.
Kawi:
Excellant demo rides, what can I say, ZX14 great bike. Rode the 10 but like
the R1 much better. R1 was a lot smoother.
Neat display shot...
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I really did not think much of the 08 Raider (rode at MotoGP) after riding a few Harleys over the years, the Raider just felt "flimsy" I agree with the Harley bug however.. they are just fun to ride (sans the biker attitude) I think it may be one of the most popular second bikes here 
