texcollect
Crotchety Old Fart
Yesterday a buddy (FZ6R) and I went up to the dealer we bought our bikes from for a Yamaha demo day.
I love my FZ6, but being 6ft6 tall sometimes I feel like I need a physically bigger bike. so the first bike I took out was the new Super Tenere. Was recommended by the guy running the demos to leave it in Sport mode so I did. It was a fun bike. Fitted me like a glove and rode beautifully. Not sure if I could get used to the sound of a twin after the FZ6.
Second bike out was the FJR. Now that was fun. Loved the electric windshield and the heated grips. Found that with my long legs my knees fouled the fairing when I was stopped. Certainly a rocket ship and I could see myself doing some long days, at least until the cops take my license away !!
My buddy really wanted to take out the R6, but it had been a pretty popular ride and so we booked a ride later on and headed out for some lunch.
So for my final ride I thought I'd try something different and took out a Raider SCL (Star Custom Line). This is a $20k bike. I just couldn't get comfortable on it. By the end of the ride my back hurt like hell. Riding a 1854 cc twin is obviously a lot different to riding a 600. They don't give you a rev counter so when I tried to accelerate onto the freeway in second gear and hit the rev limiter my acceleration came to an abrupt halt. How was I supposed to know that it redlines at 5K and the rev limiter comes in shortly thereafter!!
I was so so glad to get back onto my, smooth as silk compared to the Raider, FZ6 for the ride home.
I guess when it's time to replace the FZ6 (no time soon though) there's probably an FJR in my future. Having said that Kawasaki's coming to town March 3rd and 4th so maybe I'll take a Concours out for a spin.
I love my FZ6, but being 6ft6 tall sometimes I feel like I need a physically bigger bike. so the first bike I took out was the new Super Tenere. Was recommended by the guy running the demos to leave it in Sport mode so I did. It was a fun bike. Fitted me like a glove and rode beautifully. Not sure if I could get used to the sound of a twin after the FZ6.
Second bike out was the FJR. Now that was fun. Loved the electric windshield and the heated grips. Found that with my long legs my knees fouled the fairing when I was stopped. Certainly a rocket ship and I could see myself doing some long days, at least until the cops take my license away !!
My buddy really wanted to take out the R6, but it had been a pretty popular ride and so we booked a ride later on and headed out for some lunch.
So for my final ride I thought I'd try something different and took out a Raider SCL (Star Custom Line). This is a $20k bike. I just couldn't get comfortable on it. By the end of the ride my back hurt like hell. Riding a 1854 cc twin is obviously a lot different to riding a 600. They don't give you a rev counter so when I tried to accelerate onto the freeway in second gear and hit the rev limiter my acceleration came to an abrupt halt. How was I supposed to know that it redlines at 5K and the rev limiter comes in shortly thereafter!!
I was so so glad to get back onto my, smooth as silk compared to the Raider, FZ6 for the ride home.
I guess when it's time to replace the FZ6 (no time soon though) there's probably an FJR in my future. Having said that Kawasaki's coming to town March 3rd and 4th so maybe I'll take a Concours out for a spin.
