First up- great job to the EBR folks for making such a lovely first offering for those of us with bank accounts reflecting our status as mere mortals.
Second- thank you to EBR and Rod's Ride-On Powersports for a great event- it went smoothly for my group, and that's the way to do it.
First impression? The 1190RX is much like a smoother, more powerful 1125R, with a higher-quality fit, finish, and feel. I like how it feels more stable, but is still noticeably lighter- like, a remarkable amount lighter. The throttle pull is ridiculously light, which I think will take some getting used to, but it's livable. The clutch...seriously- I want to know why anyone thinks this bike has a 'hard' clutch pull; I'm quite positive I've ridden trials bikes with the same effort required
The SX...
I liked it, but not as much as the RX. Not even as much as my 1125R, to be honest. I didn't care for the handlebars vs. clip-ons (feels too wide and motocross-y) and the more-upright position just doesn't make me froth at the hips. The SX felt like a toy compared to the RX, which is exactly how it's supposed to be, I reckon. It's just not for me.
There will be more videos on my channel eventually
I had the ride of my life Friday ....twice and once again today!! These bikes are so so much more then these videos show. I used the bikes up in their power zone and had a blast. I went from a fan to saving my nickels to get one in one hour. This bikes are a rolling masterpiece anywhere above 4000 rpms. If you get a chance ride them!!!
I rode the 1109SX today, had the option to try out the 1109RX as well but I figure I'm not getting any younger and don't see myself laying down on a sportbike in the future.
I traded in a my 2006 XB12R towards my 1190RX .. I think the ergonomics on the RX are more comfortable than the XB12R .. you should have taken it for a ride.
LOL. I like how pickup truck pulling trailer went By you guys on right. Demo leader riding a tad bit slow.
Yeah...but to be perfectly honest, on a rainy Saturday morning, with riders I've never been around, on unknown roads, I'm cool with it. I like a spirited pace, but this was a sub-optimal set of circumstances for hooliganism, I think.
the SX vid...that was what, 62 in first?
Coooolllll....
I can't tell if that's disapproval or admiration. There wasn't any other opportunity to actually open the bikes up in anything other than 1st gear, so I figured I needed to evaluate the efficacy of the secondary injectors at least a little bit
Comparing it to my (fun as hell to ride) CR, 62 in first is...impressive
If you let the bike clear its throat, (which on a machine like this is recommended from time to time) you can clear 70mph in 1st, and just over the ton in 2nd.
If it makes you feel better you can pretend its a spacious 250 with only two gears.
Ratbuell, I test rode an SX this weekend (see the Buells in the Alps thread on the Quickboard). I owned a CR for about a year. You just can't imagine how far beyond the CR the SX is. It's more comfortable, it keeps heat away from the rider, it's much more tractable at low RPM, and it steers as light as a bicycle. The demo route was actually pretty sweet; it was the section of NC-226 from intersection with NC-226A near the Blue Ridge Parkway down the mountain to the second intersection with NC-226A and then back up. NICE curves with passing lanes on the steep sections and Randy picked a decent pace. After having spent most of the week on my Uly it was beyond belief how easily that thing handled. I'm sure I didn't use a fraction of the available power, but I'm sure there are gobs of it there.
I didn't see anyone all weekend who get off the RX or the SX after a test ride that wasn't grinning ear-to-ear. That included a broad section of Buell and non-Buell riders aged from 20-something to well over 60 (!).
If you let the bike clear its throat, (which on a machine like this is recommended from time to time) you can clear 70mph in 1st, and just over the ton in 2nd.
Most if all liter bikes will as far back as early 2000's