Daytona Test rides

[Ivanhoe]

Bike Test rides Daytona: 2008 Just my opinion
Triumph Sprint ST
Positives; excellent response and handling. Negatives: riding position to far forward. Rated 12 out of 14 rides

Yamaha Warrior
Positives: quick and responsive, handling is superior Negatives: pegs way forward lack of since of security as a result. Rated 8 out of 14 rides

Kawasaki Mean Streak
Positives: fast, fast, fast. Handles like a sport bike
Negatives: pegs, usual Kawasaki engine noise. Rated 9 out of 14 rides

Yamaha FJR
Positives: Handles great, comfortable and quick
Negatives: Not as quick as the Concours. Rated 4 out of 14 rides

Kawasaki Concours
Positives: Fast and agile
Negatives: Noise in the valve train, some heating on the lower legs but not excessive. Rated 5 out 14 rides

BMW R1200R
Positives: 6 gears gives it top end speed that is off the chart, stable and nimble
Negatives: lack of effective engine braking. Rated 7 out 14 rides

Honda St 1300
Positives: tight and quite, responsive and reassuring
Negatives: exhaust sound like all in the class is just not pleasing. Rated 3 out of 14 rides

Suzuki V-Storm 650
Positives: Just a real pleasure to ride- runs great at highway speeds and corners like a dream
Negatives: seat not comfortable to a old fat guy like me. Rated 2 out 14 rides

Triumph Rocket III Tourer
Positives; what a stable comfortable ride. The bike runs great and wants to remain up right. Brakes are good and handling is even better. Loved this bike!
Negatives: priced to high for me, would love to own one Rated 1 out 14 rides

Triumph T-100 Bonn
Positives: styling is retro with lots of good looks. Brakes are great
Negatives: ride is to upright, handling leaves lots to be desired, power is lacking. Rated 14 out 14 rides

Harley Road King Standard
Positives: Ergonomics are great. Power is good and handling is predictable.
Negatives: Crank and idle noise and vibration. Rated 10 out of 14 bikes

Harley Fat Boy
Positives: quick and agile. Handles just like a Mean Streak or Warrior
Negatives: Pegs give the feeling of just hanging your feet out there. Rated 11 out of 14 rides

Harley Soft Tail Custom
Positives: runs hard, handles well
Negatives: styling just does nothing for me. Ruff ride. Brakes were terrible. Rated 13 out 14 rides

Victory King Pin
Positives: strong running and great handling styling
Negatives: engine noise and driver comfort.
Rated 6 out 14 rides

[JREvans]

It looks like y'all had a full weekend. Wow, Harleys took 3 of the bottom 4 rankings. I'm not surprised. Thanks for the reviews Ivanhoe. That was a good read.

[JREvans]

It sounds like y'all had a full weekend. Wow, the 3 Harleys all scored in the bottom 5. I'm not surprised. Thanks for the reviews Ivanhoe. That was a good read.

[Ivanhoe]

We really tried to stay another day but that front was closing in. The Harley's are ok, just have a problem with the shake. This was a great trip we are already planning next year's. I know Curt is out there looking for a V-Strom and Old One is set on a Wing. I really did like that Rocket Tourer but the $ is a problem. That bike would be the same as the two I have. Not giving up my Wing or my X. ic

[RedRetro06]

I'm still planning to post my reviews. I just haven't had time yet. I've been too busy studying the Honda ST1300, Triumph Tiger, Suzuki V-Strom, and the BMW R 1200 GS. Right now, I'm leaning hard toward the ST1300. At least my first choice for the moment is a Honda!

The bad news is that I went for a ride last night on my X hoping that some of the lust for these other fine machines would be dampened. Unfortunately, I'm afraid it only served to reinforce my desires for a sportier motorcycle. My X rides and handles great for a cruiser, but it's still a cruiser when I'm wanting a sport tourer.

One of the girls who works with me came to my office this morning to tell me that her husband test rode a Gold Wing this weekend at NJH. He went to the bank this morning, but she told him to check DeSoto Honda and Brookhaven before he signed anything. Leland offered him $6,900 for his 2006 VTX1300R with 9,000 miles on it. I don't know what he was asking for the Wing, though.

[JREvans]

Hey RedRetro06,

You might want to check with Greenville Motorsports too while you are pricing new Honda's. I got a super deal there on my 1800F. I know its a little farther away but it was a nice ride up there to do the trade. I dealt with the owner, Keith Tarver. He's a Christian businessman and I recommend him without hesitation. Here's their link:

http://www.greenvillemotorsports.com/

[Rooster Butt]

Hey Red,

I have lusted for a 1200 GS after test riding one 2 years ago. Then I decided the Adventure was the way to go. Not knowing much about BMW's I did not want to spend $20,000 + only to find out I had made a mistake. The 1200 GS adventures were not even out yet and they were still the selling the 1150 adventure ( the adventure models come out about 2 years after the regular GS) so In Sept of 06 I was lucky and found a 2004 1150 GS adventure that was loaded (ABS, heated seat, heated grips, nav system, full bags and more) and local at at reasonable price. I bought it. Did I mention the Adventure has a 8 gallon tank and gets 40 mpg. And while I am not capable, many can ride this thing anywhere.

When I owned my X I never thought I would sell it but after the first year of owning the GS adventure we put 19,000 on it and only 300 on the X. I thought that was a crime and I sold "gave away" my beautifil X to a friend. This has been the most enjoyable bike I have ever owned. I think you have seen it several times and I think it is so ugly that it looks good.
We rode it to Canada last summer and even hit dirt and gravel roads along the way. And did I say that most Harley dudes don't know if they should wave, sh-t or run. Most wave!
What a great bike.

[RedRetro06]

Rooster,

I thought of you when I signed up to ride the R 1200 GS. What a fantastic ride! I did find myself fumbling to cancel the turn signals a few times, but the silky smooth power and nimble handling are a real pleasure. I even liked the way it torqued to the right when I revved it. I was not familiar enough with the controls to risk playing with the other features, of which there were many. I can certainly understand the difficulty swallowing the price. I could get a Gold Wing for what I would pay for the R 1200 GS equipped the way I would want it. I will keep my eyes open for a used one, though.

Did you have any problem with comfort on your trip to Canada? What about any concerns for traction with the knobby tires on the Adventure? I know they're great for off-roading, but I was wondering about the compromise on street and highway traction.

[Rooster Butt]

It is a very tall bike while standing and it feels heavy when fully loaded and 2-up. However when under way it is magic. From time to time I go to the school parking lot and practice and it is easy to turn around in only 1.5 spaces. I can whip and turn that thing at slow speed like you can not believe. It really saved our skin once by being so maneuverable when a car passed us while we were making a left hand turn into our drive way. A very close call. We then chased him down and put the law on him, great!!! But because of the height I, like most, have also laid it over. However because of the crash bars and side bags never any damage.
After our first 1500 mile 3 day trip I changed the seat to a Day Long Russel and we can now ride in total comfort and the heated seat is great. Longest day trip was only 850 miles, not planned and was not a problem.
Tires: they have been changed out to a more street oriented tire and it handles great but now mud is very scary. I was so dumb as to ride this thing 2-up on the Little Tiger 4- wheeler and dirt bike trail. Every one laughed at me but some how I made it out without dropping the beast.
Never again!

This bike just provides the option of going where you want. We are currently riding to each county court house and taking a picture in front them. Don't tell, but I just love riding on the side walks. jumping the curbs and flying down the road. Even the cops laugh and point. FUN, FUN, FUN. I am not a great rider and most of my "stunts" are by accident, but this this will also stand up and point at the moon with little effort.

[RedRetro06]

Sounds like fun. Let me know if you come across one for sale.

Is there anyone around here closer than Baton Rouge who can service it? I was thinking the Triumph dealer here may have a BMW certified tech. I know they have a factory trained BMW auto tech. I think I can handle the minor tune-ups and oil changes, but I would like to be able to hand off the more involved work to someone better qualified than I am. Since IC doesn't really like the BMW's, I'm not sure how interested he would be in working on one. :wink:

[Rooster Butt]

Baton Rouge, Bham, Atlanta and very small one in Memphis.

You will go broke if you take it in to a dealer for service. They have a web page just as good as VTXOA and I bought a service manual and a few speciel tools and all I pay for is to have tires mounted.
Working on this thing is very easy and fun. I did a valve adjustment once in less than an hour in the parking lot of the hotel.

[vtxer1800s]

.

Someone forwarded me this picture of IC at bike week. I didnt know you bought a new dog down there IC! Cool.

wm


http://www.penseller.com/pic/bikeranddog.jpg