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Lemonchili_x1
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 09:25 am: | 
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You could be right. When I was at the Suzuki dealer a couple of weeks ago they seemed pretty keen to get me out on a bike, which surprised me.
I think part of the problem around here is the lack of demo bikes. The local Buell dealer is always happy to do test rides, but they don't always have demos, I think they're shared between a few dealers. They should have a CR demo soon again.
"Anybody ridden an FZ1?"
My friend Pete was considering one, he thought it was a good bike but found it a bit bland to ride(and he likes inline 4's). He ended up buying a KTM SuperDuke. I'll ask him if he has any thoughts about comfort/seating position etc. |
Svh
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 09:45 am: |
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We have very friendly dealers for the most part. Majority say to ride it first because otherwise how will you know if that is the bike you "need". Some are better than others. Tuesday I spent some time at a dealer in Madison while waiting for my friend to get done with work. I was there for 3hrs and told him I wasn't in the market to buy anything but we still sat and talked bikes and I got out of the way anytime a customer walked in. It was a fun day as I rode:
Speed Triple with the Arrow Exhaust- Talk about an easy bike to get in trouble on. 130 can come up quick if you have a empty country road. I like the look of the CR better but the sound of that engine/exhaust was brilliant.
Tiger 1050 with the Arrow exhaust- Owning a UlyXT I was interested in this one the most and it was fun. The engine's characteristics make it seem like a whole different engine than the Speed Triples. No heat off it, or any of these bikes, the brakes were excellent but forks were soft. May be able to be fixed with the suspension being set up for my fat a$$ but I imagine it is what a UlyX has for dive. I wouldn't buy one but that is mostly because I like my UlyXT better.
Triumph Scrambler- Fun bike that is lacking some zoot but that is fixable. Nothing jumped out at me as being bad about it for what it is supposed to be. Not sure how much I would dual sport it but it looked great in the flat green.
Moto Guzzi Griso 8V- Beautiful bike. It needs a different exhaust to fix the ugly of that but viewed from the throttle side it is gorgeous. Thing rode like a tank. Reminded me of a muscle car, went good in a straight line and cornered just adequately. I was really surprised by that. I would spend my $16000 elsewhere but it would be a cool cruising bike if you had lots of extra $$$.
Kawasaki ZX-10R- Too much. Doesn't turn well or as easily as the other bikes but wow did it go. Crazy quick. Speed Triple and Tiger's brakes both seemed better than these to me. I can't imagine they are but that was my impression.
1125CR- Have rode both bars and lust for one with the high bar. I think I would get arrested on it though as I already hooligan my XT way too much. Although I am always hitting the limiter on the Uly I never did with either CR before I backed it off. I would recommend not test riding one. Your thoughts tend to drift to figuring out how you can own that beast. All the time.
Still want to ride:
XR1200
R1
XB9SX
DRZ400SM
Concours14
Super Duke
Good luck and have fun. I do every time I head out there. |
Elsinore74
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 10:49 am: |
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Of the many Japanese brand bike dealers near DC, I know of only two offering test rides. Neither had what I was looking for, though. H-D/Buell, Victory, BMW, and some Triumph dealers offer test rides (lower risk customers, I'd imagine).
Yet to ride:
Aprilia RXV 4.5 or 5.5
Buell 1125CR
Honda VFR1200 (2010?)
H-D VRSCR Street Rod
KTM 950 Super Enduro
Moto Guzzi Stelvio
Royal Enfield Bullet C-5 (EFI)
Triumph Thruxton and Scrambler
Yamaha FJR 1300 (w/manual clutch)
Rainman, my wife has a TU250; a great little bike. Wish it had a kicker for nostalgia's sake (cast opening plugged on sidecase-DR250/350 lower end) Kind of reminds me of the Honda GB500, Yamaha SR500, and Suzuki GN400. Riding a small bike in the twisties will make anyone a better rider.
Ride Safe. |
S1wmike
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 11:27 am: |
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Elsinore_74
Yet to ride:
Aprilia RXV 4.5 or 5.5
Buell 1125CR
Honda VFR1200 (2010?)
H-D VRSCR Street Rod
KTM 950 Super Enduro
Moto Guzzi Stelvio
Royal Enfield Bullet C-5 (EFI)
Triumph Thruxton and Scrambler
Yamaha FJR 1300 (w/manual clutch)
Come down to Southside HD IN Virginia Beach and see Duc in sales. I'm sure Duc and put you on the V-rod Street rod, the 1125CR and possibly the FJR 1300 and the Triumph Scrambler
(Message edited by S1wmike on August 28, 2009) |
Buellinachinashop
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 11:40 am: |
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I've ridden just about every Harley and every Buell.
My List is short, but these three top it.
Czysz C1 990
BMW K1200R
Roehr 1250sc
(Message edited by Buellinachinashop on August 28, 2009) |
Elsinore74
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 11:58 am: |
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S1wmike,
Sounds great, but my wife (the voice of reason, just one of many voices I hear...) would be quick to point out there's nothing wrong with my Uly. True enough, but what does that have to do with wanting other bikes?
I should have said, "Wish List," instead of "Yet to ride."
Checked out the 06 Street Rod on Southside HD website, though. Very nice. Not in the cards quite yet, though. Will stop by if wandering down that way. |
S1wmike
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 12:07 pm: |
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Elsinore74
Got my 06 Street Rod for 13k and some change, brand new with full warranty and the 07 Street Rod Black and Orange tins.
I put 3k miles on the bike in less than 2 months |
Buellinachinashop
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 12:20 pm: |
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I got my 06 Street Rod with less than 900 miles for $9200.00. I got a 2 year powertrain warranty through Harley.
There's very very good deals to be had on left over Street Rods. I've been seeing guys getting brand new for 9000.00.
Any dealer can find one through HDNET.
I bought mine last Halloween, got to put 200 miles on it before winter. This season I've put over 4500 on it. |
Elsinore74
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 12:22 pm: |
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S1wmike
The Street Rod is a great bike, and the first H-D I seriously thought about buying since the FXRS-SP in the early 90s. Someday there'll be one in the garage.
Like the XR1200, I'm afraid, in that any model I think is cool H-D will pull the plug on. |
Elsinore74
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 12:27 pm: |
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As for wishes, if I can't have a Street Rod, how about a V-Rod powered bagger?
VRSLH? C'mon Harley. |
Buellinachinashop
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 12:35 pm: |
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"As for wishes, if I can't have a Street Rod, how about a V-Rod powered bagger?"
There's alot of guys that turn VR's into baggers. For more info, try 1130cc.com
 |
Delta_one
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 02:06 pm: |
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I really want a ZX-14 for my next bike but haven't ridden one yet. I want it for two up riding and touring. |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 10:21 pm: |
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I've ridden a lot of Harley's, too. No interest there except that XL's are good cafe racer candidates.
I find the Hypermotard very comfortable...even compared to the Streetfighter. My coworker who owns one feels the same. We are much in the minority, though...it seems. The handlebar bend of the Streetfighter was all wrong for me, the seat is too sharp on the edges, and the pegs are too far back for my tastes.
My S1 seat feels great to me so I guess it's natural to like 'em thin 
Realistically my wish list is the bikes I'm interested in owning. These are:
KTM Duke II
KTM 690 Supermoto
KTM 625 SMC
Suzuki DR650SE
ATK 605
As far as having sat on 'em the KTM Duke II/SMC feel perfect ergonomically, the 690 suits my perceived needs best, though is a bit wide in the middle, and the DR has the typical 2x4-like dirt bike style seat.
I few years back I was offered a screaming deal on an ATK, but the owner backed out once I got serious.
quote:Triumph Scrambler- Fun bike that is lacking some zoot but that is fixable. Nothing jumped out at me as being bad about it for what it is supposed to be. Not sure how much I would dual sport it but it looked great in the flat green.
I guess the imagination (and $$) are the limit
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Cityxslicker
| | Posted on Friday, August 28, 2009 - 10:47 pm: |
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That is a DAMN sexy umph |
Lemonchili_x1
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 12:41 am: |
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Ducati 848 
 |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 02:00 am: |
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I really want a ZX-14 for my next bike but haven't ridden one yet. I want it for two up riding and touring.
Do you mean the COncours? To me that is way the preferred bike for what you are wanting to do. |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 02:02 am: |
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If i wasn't on a Buell, I would be riding a Triumph Daytona 675. If I ever decide to leave Buell (not on my mind at this point,) I would buy a Daytona 675 in a heartbeat.
It's different and exclusive, like Buell, and it's one hell of a bike, like my 1125R. |
Mr_grumpy
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 03:21 am: |
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I can't think of many bikes I want to test.
XR1200 (despite my diatribe against HD advertising)
If Guzzi were making a "Le Mans" these days I'd be wanting a test, & i wouldn't mind a play on a Stelvio.
Honestly, at the moment there's very little out there that floats my boat as regards new bikes.
As for old bikes, well, do you have the time? I want a................. |
Pkforbes87
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 03:45 am: |
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Realistic:
Aprilia SXV
crossplane R1
848
Hyper'tard
Rocket III
In my dreams:
Wakan Track Racer
Ecosse Heretic
Bimota Tesi 3D
(Message edited by pkforbes87 on September 01, 2009) |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 05:57 am: |
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I've tested a FZ1 - couple of model years ago though. I didn't like it much. For a steetified R1 it was a bit 'boggy' until the tacho hit 7,500rpm - where it goes like an R1. By that stage you are at licence disqualification speed. |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:01 am: |
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Not a big fan of the ZX14 either. My test was pretty heavily edited in the mag. I don't think it handled very well and said so. It has excellent high speed stability - but was a bit of a truck at 50mph. |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:03 am: |
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Concours 1400 is a different story. It's one of my favourites. If I was looking for an uber-tourer it's the one I'd buy.
Or a K 1300 S BMW if money was no object
(Message edited by danger_dave on September 01, 2009) |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:08 am: |
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>> i wouldn't mind a play on a Stelvio. <<
Your grandfather's XB12X. |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:13 am: |
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>>Rocket III <<
Amazing motorcycle. I can keep up with the Supersports on it. Slow in - but waaaay fast out.
Only thing I don't like is you can see the fuel gauge move while doing it. |
Lemonchili_x1
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:14 am: |
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"Honestly, at the moment there's very little out there that floats my boat as regards new bikes."
I'm the opposite at the moment, lot's of new stuff I'm curious to sample. It would be nice if there was a new LeMans, though I doubt it's going to happen, or it'd be a wussy, civilised shadow of former models.
I'm keen to try a 675 Triumph too.
I managed to score a test ride on a 6 month old, stock standard Ducati 848 with 5,000km's on it today 
So here is Chili's subjective, biased, inexperienced 848 evaluation:
Based on a scale of 1-5, where 5=AWESOME, 4=impressive, 3=Not good and not bad, 2=meh and 1=You're kidding, right?
Styling 4.5
Beautiful bike, it'd be a 5 except they had a couple of Streetfighters there, and they look mean, nasty and AWESOME.
Ergonomics 4
A tiny bit of a stretch to very low bars, lots of weight on the wrists at slow speeds, but really good controls that are where you expect them to be. Light clutch. Firm but comfortable broad seat.
Practicality 1
This is a compliment. Call it a supersport, superbike, hypersport, whatever - *this* is a "sports" bike.
Fit and finish 4
I couldn't fault it.
Brakes 5+
Outstanding brakes - lots of power and feel, front and rear.
Ride (comfort) 3
Very firm but not harsh.
Handling/cornering/flickability 4
It was only a brief ride at relatively low speeds, but very stable yet at the same time will change direction very quickly if you are positive with your inputs. Unphased by small bumps mid-corner. "Understeers" at low speed, I think it's a bike where you have to ride it, not let it take you for a ride. I'm guessing this would be better at high speed?
Engine/responsiveness/acceleration 5
Very cool - power, response, great sound for a bike on standard pipes. Quite a lot of mechanical noise, but it sounded good. Fantastic gearbox, really light and precise gearchange. Doesn't like low revs, pings and stutters, great anywhere above 4000rpm
Grin factor 4
I'd love to get another ride on one. It *feels* fast.
Giggle factor 2
Having to really think about steering the bike took away from the giggle factor.
Really impressive bike overall, better than I expected. Would I buy one? Only if I could afford to have it just for sundays and track days. It does make me see Ducati's in a different light though. An 848 Streetfighter would be AWESOME 
When I left I was thinking, oh no, the X1 is going to feel old and loose and rattly... but it didn't It felt like an armchair with no brakes, but I appreciate the light neutral handling again.
cheers,
chili |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:15 am: |
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>>Tiger 1050<<
Best engine slung in a mass produced road bike so far - ever.
I'd own one if I didn't hate the bodywork and windscreens. |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:17 am: |
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>>XR1200<<
Nice bike. If you can see it in the mirrors of your XB12. |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:19 am: |
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>>H-D VRSCR Street Rod <<
Best ever Harley.
Handled too well and was discontinued. |
Lemonchili_x1
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:19 am: |
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PS I knew I was riding a Ducati - the mirrors were beautifully styled, but useless. Some things never change!  |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:21 am: |
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What is up with that Goldwing? |
Lemonchili_x1
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:47 am: |
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Well, for a start it's a Goldwing and it's hiding in the corner feeling sorry for it's self... And somebody put some sort of bondage mask on it...  |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 06:54 am: |
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Ahhh - one of those bra thingies.
I think the word I'm looking for is 'lamentable'.
Don't knock a 'wing. What they do they do well and in Surround Hi fi Stereo. |
Lemonchili_x1
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 09:27 am: |
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I will admit I've never ridden a Goldwing, and from the things I've read and heard about the GL1500 onwards they are one of the best handling bikes with a boot.
Just not my cup of tea |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 01, 2009 - 10:39 am: |
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As far as an all out fantasy bike...this would be it for me (with an engine built to about 110hp, that is)
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