| Author | Message | ||
     Danny |
Well, 12 actually, but that's not as alliterate. With the dealer severance still "in process" we received 2 XB9SX's last week. This morning I uncrated one and set it up. I took it around my 5-mile demo loop past a few orchards, the community college and an industrial park that has some nice sweepers in it. The blue did look good and attracted a lot of the Harley people to check it out. As someone mentioned earlier, the molding/casting timestamp is pretty prominent right near the seat in the center of the airbox cover. A buckle guard will cover it, but... Maybe it's just me, but I really don't like the way the cheese grater and the rear subframe blend together. There's about a 4-inch wide strip of villian black right around the taillight, then the gray subframe butts right up to it on either side in vertical lines. I think I could live with the frametank being gray if the subframe were black. But the gray frametank, different gray subframe and black cheese grater offend me visually. The seat definitely sits you on top of the bike. I was comfortably on the balls of my feet. Shorter than my V-Strom but A LOT less in front of me fairing-wise. I didn't park it next to our 12S to compare handlebar position. Finally, I'm riding. I took it over the bumpy section of the residential area, aiming for potholes. Soaked 'em right up. I was very impressed. Much, much smoother than my S2. Ran it up to 70 and started weaving in and out of the broken yellow on the two-lane, just to scrub the tires and get a feel for it. No surprises. Then I tried to pass a car. Granted, I was in third gear and only 40mph, but the first word that came to mind was "underwhelming." I was really disappointed, until I turned into the industrial park. I laid it over onto the sidestreet, through the traffic circle and into the tight righthander. I just kept dialing it up... and up... and up. I just let it lay in a little more every time. No scares, no wobbles just confident tracking and feedback. I got to the end and went back through backwards (the "unfamiliar" way) and had some fun, then took the traffic circle and back through it the familiar way on the boil. Puts a smile on my face just recounting it. About an hour later I took it out again on the same path. I didn't try to pass any cars, but I also did not feel underwhelmed by the power. As long as the proper gear is selected, no problems. I only ran through the industrial park once, but again, not a single surprise. Bottom line: It's a fun, competent, capable motorcycle. I like it. Do I $8695 like it, I don't know... let me ride it again. Do I $7500 like it? Yeah, probably. Maybe if Pocono doesn't take 4 hours tomorrow, I'll go for a hill run and further "evaluate" it. Danny 95 S2 02 V-Strom Saturday only, Parts, Sales and Demo rides; Modesto Ducati & Buell | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
I was actually pleasantly surprised with the smooth power delivery on the XB9SX today, compared to my 9R. I wound it up a few times on straights and curves and it was pleasing, but not screaming. Combine that with the ultra smooth transmission and I would have no complaints. Now compared to a 12...well that's different, but when you're used to something you know exactly where the power is (and isn't). I'm used to my bike and love it! At least those two probably won't sit around the sales floor too long. |
