Twelve demo rides, eleven different bikes, three days, what a great time I had at Americade. Thursday was sunny and fabulous and Friday was warm with some cloud cover.
Like many I was quite surprised by the fact that a few of the major manufactures weren't present. BMW, Honda, Suzuki, and Triumph all decided to pass on Americade this year. Most cyclists are aware that Honda cancelled the famous Honda Hoot this year for the first time ever and and had inferred that their presence at the major rallies this year would be non-existent, with the possible exception of Americade. Three of those four goliaths also produce cage-mobiles and some speculated there might be a correlation between the economic downturn and their event budget allowances. I hope to see all these guys next year. Of those manufactures I was gravely disappointed with Suzuki's no-show because I really wanted to ride the Bandit 1250S with ABS.
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50th Anniversary Triump Bonnebille
So I wasn't dealt the poker hand I wanted, but I was still in the game. I just needed to devise a new plan of attack. I would hit KTM and Kawasaki pretty heavily on the demo front and then make my way down to Yamaha to see what scraps were left.
The very first bike I rode was a KTM Adventure 990 and would be the only motorcycle I rode twice. It makes my top three list of bikes at this year demo-athon. It was fun, powerful, and agile. The goofy looking windscreen when off the motorcycle turns into a gem of a protector on the open road and it's one of the best I've come across. The seat is high so if you're under 5'9" you may have a problem with this bike. The throttle response was smooth throughout the entire RPM band and it's 373 pounds could be flicked over from corner to corner like a rag doll. I would have to ride this back to back with a Tiger Triumph to feel the differences because they both scream of fun and excitement. I rode three KTM's on Thursday but this was hands down my favorite.
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Team Kawasakis bikes lined up and ready to go!
Dialing in at number two is the Kawasaki ZX10. I didn't ride the ZX14 because I've ridden it before and I wanted to ride the Concourse. If you look at the track numbers Cycle World laid down last year it was the fastest bike from 0-185 and I just had to put my butt in it's seat to feel that rocket like boost. I was not disappointed. This motorcycle is a beast. I'm not an all day sport bike rider, I prefer a more upright position but I could see myself with one of these babies at a track day or racing school for certain. You roll on the throttle and it just pulls a smile accross your face. It's impossible not to laugh inside your helmet. On the public roads one has to show amazing restraint to keep this motorcycle under 100 mph because it only requires a mild flick of the wrist to do so. It's so well balanced that you can steer the bike through most 45-65 mph curves with minimal handlebar input. The brakes are fantastic and the clutch is effortless. The only advantage the 14 has on this bike in my mind is a longer wheelbase which would make cruising all day a little nicer, but that's not what this bike is about.
Drum roll please...my favorite ride of the week, the Suzuki Bandit 1250 S. What a second, didn't you say they weren't at the show? I did in fact say exactly that. I teach Motorcycle Safety for the State of Vermont and Loretta Grant with whom I was instructing last weekend rode in on her brand new black bandit. I couldn't believe my eyes or my luck. We taught all day and she had to return to the classroom and said "The keys are in the ignition". I wiped the drool from my chin and donned my gear. This is unquestionably the next bike I want to purchase. It has to be the best bang for the buck on the market. I think Suzuki is figuring this out as well because in a year that most bike prices remained flat, the listed retail price of the bandit went up 1K from 8.3 to 9.3. The recently revised Bandit is a sport tourer disguised as a standard. A wolf in sheep's clothing. Loretta's mechanic and husband Larry Grant installed heated grips and hand guards from a KTM on the bike. The bandit's engine just sings. The handlebars are of medium height which makes the bike comfy to be on all day long. In sixth gear it coasts at 75mph taching about 3800 rpms, barely breathing. It's like butter accelerating from a stop out of first gear and whoas down from sixty mph just as easily. If I had to think of something I would add to this bike it may be a different windscreen. That KTM is still on my brain. But with the five grand you save compared to a Concourse or FJR you'll have plenty of cash on hand to figure out a reasonable solution. The only thing I didn't get to do was ride two up. Hmmm, Loretta and I teach again later this month. Fate has brought her to me!
I spotted the about pictured 50th Anniversary Triumph Bonneville on it's way to the judging area for inspection. I stopped to snap a photo of it. The owner gracious asked if I'd like to sit on it and have my picture taken. I said I'd rather take it for a spin but that I'd be more than happy to have a seat. I was careful not to kick anything nor leave any unsuspecting fingerprints on the steed as the judges rightly so, are quite fickle.
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