02/02/10 - Brief First ride. Two words: direct connection.
Initial impression: it's nimble and linear, great throttle and brake feel. Gear shift is solid and positive, then add the Quick Shift Assist. It's easy to get used to and to go fast. The DTC works great at keeping the bike tamed.
Then there's the sound... pure mechanical, sharp and crisp tone. There's a bit of a rumble you can hear as it passes by. It's a bit different than the Big 4's.
Riding on the freeway, the bike settled in really well at speed. 70 MPH is at 5000 RPM, stock suspension setup is compliant, even while going on 85S from 101S - I could barely feel the 'washboard' there. It works great for me (165lbs).
I did the wiggle test on the street going back, around the back streets a bit, took turns and all. It's nimble, but no initial drop when you turn. What I feel is light and a bit more linear; yet still easy to pick up and change direction.
The main thing you feel in the RAIN mode is softer and a lot more relaxed throttle response. It's literally like there's a rubber band in there to make sure that you don't snap it wide open and break traction. It actually feels a bit lazy in this mode. But considering what it's intended use for, I'm glad it's there.
SPORT mode is a good all around, feels just like any other sportsbikes out there that way.
Then up to RACE mode, the throttle feel is a bit sharper and more direct.
I'm not a fast rider by any means, but the bike feels very solid tracking sweepers and onramps, with inputs from throttle is noticeably smoothen out by the DTC.
I've only ridden 09 Daytona 675, 07 CBR600RR, 03 Gixxer 1000, and 04 RSV Mille. So, in my very limited experience, I'd say it does feel like the CBR600RR. It doesn't feel as big as the RSV Mille. Probably in between (closer to) the 675 and Gixxer.
More to come! :teeth
Second Ride - 02/03/10
To SJSU Spartan Meet, Starbucks, Tully Road - Capitol Expressway. 6:30pm.
I got more time to get to know the three ride modes. I spent the first half of the ride on SPORT mode. Smooth and responsive throttle across the range.
Suspension setup is very compliant for the street, works great on the bumpy 101S from Mt. View to Tully Road exit.
Power, it likes to go from 5000 RPM up. The engine also becomes smoother passing the same RPM. Rolling the throttle from 2500 RPM is fine, no bog down or throttle jerk.
There was heavy traffic half way there. I switched to the RACE mode and found that I like the throttle response better. Seems easier to get out of way if needed with the quicker response. It feels more hard-wired into the brain.
On the way home, I played around with the RAIN mode. There is just no shaking up this mode. The throttle response is just numbed down. Even when I snap the throttle, the bike doesn't 'jump'. Just one gentle and linear flow of power. It doesn't feel 150 HP. Maybe when it's taken up pass 8000 RPM.
Maybe during the next ride.
About the headlights
Those headlights work great! The low beam has an even pattern, a bit wide too, instead of just a spot. If I own one, I'd raise it a bit, closer to the horizon line.
The high beam lits up everything above the low beam. You can see it just go on and continue on from the low beam upper limit. All road signs and reflectors lit up.
Initial impression: it's nimble and linear, great throttle and brake feel. Gear shift is solid and positive, then add the Quick Shift Assist. It's easy to get used to and to go fast. The DTC works great at keeping the bike tamed.
Then there's the sound... pure mechanical, sharp and crisp tone. There's a bit of a rumble you can hear as it passes by. It's a bit different than the Big 4's.
Riding on the freeway, the bike settled in really well at speed. 70 MPH is at 5000 RPM, stock suspension setup is compliant, even while going on 85S from 101S - I could barely feel the 'washboard' there. It works great for me (165lbs).
I did the wiggle test on the street going back, around the back streets a bit, took turns and all. It's nimble, but no initial drop when you turn. What I feel is light and a bit more linear; yet still easy to pick up and change direction.
The main thing you feel in the RAIN mode is softer and a lot more relaxed throttle response. It's literally like there's a rubber band in there to make sure that you don't snap it wide open and break traction. It actually feels a bit lazy in this mode. But considering what it's intended use for, I'm glad it's there.
SPORT mode is a good all around, feels just like any other sportsbikes out there that way.
Then up to RACE mode, the throttle feel is a bit sharper and more direct.
I'm not a fast rider by any means, but the bike feels very solid tracking sweepers and onramps, with inputs from throttle is noticeably smoothen out by the DTC.
I've only ridden 09 Daytona 675, 07 CBR600RR, 03 Gixxer 1000, and 04 RSV Mille. So, in my very limited experience, I'd say it does feel like the CBR600RR. It doesn't feel as big as the RSV Mille. Probably in between (closer to) the 675 and Gixxer.
More to come! :teeth
Second Ride - 02/03/10
To SJSU Spartan Meet, Starbucks, Tully Road - Capitol Expressway. 6:30pm.
I got more time to get to know the three ride modes. I spent the first half of the ride on SPORT mode. Smooth and responsive throttle across the range.
Suspension setup is very compliant for the street, works great on the bumpy 101S from Mt. View to Tully Road exit.
Power, it likes to go from 5000 RPM up. The engine also becomes smoother passing the same RPM. Rolling the throttle from 2500 RPM is fine, no bog down or throttle jerk.
There was heavy traffic half way there. I switched to the RACE mode and found that I like the throttle response better. Seems easier to get out of way if needed with the quicker response. It feels more hard-wired into the brain.
On the way home, I played around with the RAIN mode. There is just no shaking up this mode. The throttle response is just numbed down. Even when I snap the throttle, the bike doesn't 'jump'. Just one gentle and linear flow of power. It doesn't feel 150 HP. Maybe when it's taken up pass 8000 RPM.
Maybe during the next ride.
About the headlights
Those headlights work great! The low beam has an even pattern, a bit wide too, instead of just a spot. If I own one, I'd raise it a bit, closer to the horizon line.
The high beam lits up everything above the low beam. You can see it just go on and continue on from the low beam upper limit. All road signs and reflectors lit up.