Dirt_Dad
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I started a new chapter yesterday.
Put a little more than 250 miles on it yesterday. One more shorter day of riding today before I'm ready to give initial impressions. Those thoughts are still forming.
A few brief observations. Easy to see how this bike could cause a degradation of riding skills. With a quick shifter, in the first 250 miles, if I wasn't starting or stopping, I doubt I touched the clutch lever more than 10 times. There really isn't any reason to do it other than muscle memory. Quick shifting is faster and smoother than I could ever be. Just hold the throttle open to whatever point and keep shifting. My wife's GS has a quick shifter and we've used it as a novelty. Four or five times in a ride my wife would report over the bluethooth she just shifted without her clutch. I'm mumble something and that would be it. I'm glad I have the 690 Enduro to keep me honest, 'cuz I'm done using a clutch for up and down shifting on this one.
There is an incredibly strong sense of déjà vu with this bike. Back in 2003 I bought an ATV that Kawasaki has been advertising heavily. The ad was a well done TV spot showing this was the fastest ATV out there. When I took it to the track for the first time I had people coming up to me constantly asking if it was really all that fast. That day I had to respond, "I have no idea, I'm just breaking it in." I always follow the required break-in. I know there's lots of opinions about break-in, but I always have and always will do it by the book. So if you ask me if this bike is as fast as claimed...I have no idea. Haven't had it above 6,500 RPM. I feel like I'm short shifting everywhere. Been mostly riding it in the 5500-5900 range, so when I hit the throttle, there's not much room left. After 600 miles I'll finally get to take it up to the full 10500 red line and see what it will do. I'm chomping at the bit to get there.
More when I finish forming my initial impression after today's ride.
Need to rearrange the garage.
JUST KIDDING.... No Romney did not start selling KTMs. I only stopped out to say hello and catch up with the owner and some of his crew.
Purchased the bike at Motomember in Purcellville, VA. The have 4 more of these things at an amazing discounted price of $13,882. Get 'em while they are hot... and trust me, this bike is very hot. Sweated my legs away yesterday as the bike cooked me. Going to need to figure out that one.
Oh by the way... yes, the ATV was that fast. I'm hoping this bike will live up to that former experience.
Put a little more than 250 miles on it yesterday. One more shorter day of riding today before I'm ready to give initial impressions. Those thoughts are still forming.
A few brief observations. Easy to see how this bike could cause a degradation of riding skills. With a quick shifter, in the first 250 miles, if I wasn't starting or stopping, I doubt I touched the clutch lever more than 10 times. There really isn't any reason to do it other than muscle memory. Quick shifting is faster and smoother than I could ever be. Just hold the throttle open to whatever point and keep shifting. My wife's GS has a quick shifter and we've used it as a novelty. Four or five times in a ride my wife would report over the bluethooth she just shifted without her clutch. I'm mumble something and that would be it. I'm glad I have the 690 Enduro to keep me honest, 'cuz I'm done using a clutch for up and down shifting on this one.
There is an incredibly strong sense of déjà vu with this bike. Back in 2003 I bought an ATV that Kawasaki has been advertising heavily. The ad was a well done TV spot showing this was the fastest ATV out there. When I took it to the track for the first time I had people coming up to me constantly asking if it was really all that fast. That day I had to respond, "I have no idea, I'm just breaking it in." I always follow the required break-in. I know there's lots of opinions about break-in, but I always have and always will do it by the book. So if you ask me if this bike is as fast as claimed...I have no idea. Haven't had it above 6,500 RPM. I feel like I'm short shifting everywhere. Been mostly riding it in the 5500-5900 range, so when I hit the throttle, there's not much room left. After 600 miles I'll finally get to take it up to the full 10500 red line and see what it will do. I'm chomping at the bit to get there.
More when I finish forming my initial impression after today's ride.
Need to rearrange the garage.
JUST KIDDING.... No Romney did not start selling KTMs. I only stopped out to say hello and catch up with the owner and some of his crew.
Purchased the bike at Motomember in Purcellville, VA. The have 4 more of these things at an amazing discounted price of $13,882. Get 'em while they are hot... and trust me, this bike is very hot. Sweated my legs away yesterday as the bike cooked me. Going to need to figure out that one.
Oh by the way... yes, the ATV was that fast. I'm hoping this bike will live up to that former experience.
