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Archived Motorcycle Reviews

Page history last edited by Christine 11 years, 11 months ago

October 29, 2008

Femmoto 2008 Ride Report

 

Christine's FEMMOTO 2008 Ride Report 

My one day of test rides at this year's Femmoto was quite fun. I didn't sign up for this year's track events and decided to go with the street testing instead; I rode to Vegas with my boyfriend and neighbor and wanted to share the experience with them – this is the second year in a row that Femmoto has allowed men to ride in the open street demos. For my neighbor who hadn't ridden any other bike larger than his own and my boyfriend who was curious about other bikes outside of BMW, it was the perfect opportunity to try different motorcycles in a safe and fun environment.

This year's economic ups and downs had enrollment for this event at a bit of a low. However, there was lots of fun to go around and many bikes/eye candy to stare at! 

Our group ride roster: (1) 2007 FJR1300, (1) 2000 BMW K1200RS, (1) 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 650R

Returning Manufacturers (from 2007):

-          Kawasaki

-          Honda

-          Yamaha

-          Suzuki

-          Ducati

-          Buell

-          H-D

-          BMW

-          Kymco 

New Dealers:

-          Triumph

-          Aprilia (last appeared in 2006)

-          Victory 

Here's the review on the bikes I got to test there. I guess this was the year of the cruisers for me, except for the GSX-650F at the end. Enjoy! If you have any further questions about any of these bikes.

Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom

-          I decided to start the day on an easy note and hop on Kawi's best selling mid-range cruiser, the Vulcan 900 Custom. The "Custom" part stands for the drag-style bars (bars goes straight across and don't curve inwards), the forward controls, and the large 19" front wheel. The ride on it was quite smooth and acceleration was very crisp and gradual. It had more than enough power to get onto the highway and then some. The forward, aggressive stance gave me the feeling of a chopper when I was blasting down the highway at 80 MPH. This bike is wonderful for the fun, short distance ride and will make the commute very interesting. My only problem is that the engine gets a little buzzy past 85MPH and the location of the pedals may be a bit taxing for those with a shorter stature. Otherwise, a fun bike and one to take into consideration if you're going for a no-questions-asked naked cruiser. 

Victory Vision Tour Premium

-          You've probably heard of this bike, as it's known for its ability to visually pass for the successor of the USS Enterprise. I had the chance to test this beast with my boyfriend on the back as a willing passenger. The front controls of this bike are very Goldwing-esque with a CB radio and the FM standard. The low seat height and very low center of gravity allowed me to flat foot the bike comfortably (I'm 5'5"). In addition, this Tour Premium edition of the bike also included heated grips which felt quite comfy as we were travelling down windy roads at highway speeds. When it got a little breezy, I simply lifted the electronically adjustable windshield. If I had more time, I would've tried its cruise control option as well which would come in handy for those many hours on the interstate. In terms of power, its 106 cu. in. engine had no problem towing us and its 29+ gallons of storage space down the road. However, my biggest issue was clunkiness and vibration at any gear. Acceleration was a bit choppy in the lower gears and I tried for the 15 miles to find that perfect combination between clutch and throttle…almost got there by the end. I also found that, even with it at the highest gears, vibration for both me and my passenger was tolerable for the 15 mile loop but a little too much for a bike that's supposed to be an ultimate touring motorcycle. But, the radio was fun to use and blasting down US 95 to Michael Jackson is something to remember. For the newer rider, its dimensions are quite daunting (it dwarfs out the Goldwing in terms of width) but once you get over that, it's definitely a bike to say you've ridden at least once.

Yamaha Star Raider

-          Yamaha's radical design for a cruiser comes in the form of the Raider, a low slung mean machine that looks as good as it rides. This was my favorite cruiser of the bunch to ride and it was mainly because of its smooth transmission and comfortable seating position. (I wish my FJR had a transmission that nice!) Its barebones appearance emphasizes its 1854cc V-twin engine and the raked out forks embodied that chopper spirit Yamaha aimed for in this award-winning machine. Don't be intimidated by this thing; gearing on this bike makes it easy to manage its power. It was very smooth on the highway as well; speeds above 80 MPH not an issue at all for this cruiser. This one wins the "cool" factor as well as the easy to ride award. Did I mention that it has a nice roar to it? H-D should be afraid. Very afraid. 

Suzuki M109R

-          From the manufacturer that brought you the largest displacement production sportbike brings a power cruiser that aims to blow your cubic centimeters away. Suzuki's entry in the power cruiser market has left me a bit surprised and at the same time worried for all of the newer/returning riders who may consider this bike as their next ride. The M109R is a smooth, yet extremely powerful cruiser that will leave you, when travelling at low speeds, feeling like you're pulling back the chain of a Rottweiler who just smelled the next door neighbor's grilled steak. There was never a time that I needed anything higher than 3rdgear on this bike and it'll scoooot quite fast and very quickly. If you're doing the open highway thing, perhaps this would be a consideration for you. But, this bike is definitely not for the beginner or the person that hasn't completely mastered the art of feathering the clutch. Its looks transcend from that of the big wheel custom bikes and this Suzuki is a less pricey alternative to the private designer route. Smooth ride, but yikes.

Suzuki GSX-650F

-          The last bike of the day was a very fun finish. I stepped back over into the standard/sportbike realm with Suzuki's most underrated entry-level motorcycle, the GSX-650F. It's a faired motorcycle that takes the rounded styling cues of the GSX-R, the spirited engine of the original Bandit 600, and an upright handlebar stance to create a bike that a beginner will want to hold on to for a while. I enjoyed slapping this bike around in curves because of its agility. Its 650cc inline-four engine wanted to be revved high (13k redline), and I found myself hitting 80 MPH in 4th gear (the bike has six, by the way) on the entrances to the open highway. For the person who's not afraid to flog an engine, this bike is super fun to play with. The bike is extremely easy to shift, very forgiving for the new rider, yet a fresh change of pace for the seasoned one. It's perfect for needling through CA traffic in the morning and even possible track days! I am definitely going to recommend this bike to any new rider that is looking for an alternative to the SV or Ninja 650R. Wonderful mid-range standard!

Bikes I wish I rode…

BMW: Track only this year! But I am glad that BMW brought their entire manufacturer truck. I'd like to give the R1200GS another go again. Low frame rules! J 

Triumph: You must be 25 years old to ride. Right…so I can't ride your 675 Street Triple despite the fact that I ride a bike that dwarfs yours? Guess that 30k miles a year of riding doesn't count much, either. Meh.

Other notes from Vegas:

-          The weather was dry, yet delightful. We weren't broiling at any given time and the lowest temperature riding to and from Vegas was no lower than 60 degrees. October is the perfect time to be there and the weather's been pretty consistent from year to year.

-          Funny food joint award goes to "Dick's Last Resort" inside of the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. If you're looking for good food and a lap dance from a guy named Taco, this is the place to be. Maybe that didn't come out right. However, the place is great for the food, the occasional bachelorette party, and football games on plasma screens. Try the pasta and the crab cakes.

That is all. Hope to see you next year!

 

 

October 13, 2007

Femmoto 2007 - bike and product reviews

Thanks to Nancy for sending everyone her report on the event. Here's my take on this year's Femmoto. I do apologize for the long e-mail, but it's customary for me to review every bike that I rode during the weekend.

Being my second year at this event, I was very happy to see how Femmoto has literally doubled in size. In addition, it was great to see many familiar faces from last year and lots of new people that I had the chance to speak with. One thing that will stand out with this event is the how welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable, and understanding the people are at this event. These guys live and breathe motorcycles and know that the women who attend this event take this sport seriously. 

This place was overflowing with hospitality. Harley-Davidson went all out in their tent with free fudge pops, drinks, t-shirts and stickers, and informational sessions about picking up fallen bikes and proper helmet fitting. Kawasaki and their Green team brought out the Monster energy drinks, the smiles, and the comfy seating. The Honda tent was a nice place to hide during the major wind gusts throughout the weekend, and did I mention the smiling? How much nicer could you get?

I am hoping to gather another contingent to ride with me next year to Vegas. Many thanks to Debbie, Linda, Cherise, and the other guys at the OC WOW for letting me tag along through the I-15! Looking forward to doing another round of gyros and fried zucchini at the Mad Greek with you all! 

To read my reviews from Femmoto 2006, please visit these sites:

Part I: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&FriendID=18336609&blogM..10&blogDay=7&blogYear=2006

Part II: 
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&FriendID=18336609&blogM..10&blogDay=10&blogYear=2006

 

Bike and Accessory Reviews:
These will be sorted by their brands. If anyone has any further questions about these bikes, do let me know and I'm more than happy to go into even more detail. And I'm more than happy to tag along with you if you're planning to do any bike shopping. Let me know! I love bike testing. 

No-shows this year: Moto Guzzi (aww) and Yamaha (The only Japanese no-show! You can join Femmoto anytime this millennium!)

 

Kawasaki
Concours 14
: I had the chance to test this bike on the street as my first official bike of this year's Femmoto. In the sport touring section, I probably have the best perspective for comparison because I own its challenger, the 2007 Yamaha FJR1300. I will break this up in sections.

  1. Seat height: the Concours is about 1.5 in. taller in the seat than that of the FJR. I was able to floor the bike by shifting my butt a bit over and it was tolerable. The seat itself is more of a narrower, sport profile than its Yamaha counterpart so that inch extra wasn't too much of an issue for me. The stock seat is very cushiony and can work for the long haul. I wonder if there is a Corbin equivalent available on the market though – those seats have worked very well for me over the years.
  2. Power/transmission: the Concours has an extra 100cc worth of punch over the FJR's 1298cc engine and spreads it well through the gears. One thing that it has over the FJR is its 6thoverdrive gear that really racks up the fuel economy over the long run. Its clutch is relatively smooth, very much like the FJR1300. Its agility is exactly the same as the FJR and I would be more than happy to take this one up a canyon.
  3. Bells and whistles: Both have the double headlight, the electrically adjustable windshield, and the hard saddlebags as a factory standard. However, Kawasaki has really thrown more technology into this bike. First off, they have eliminated the key and replaced with an electronic fob (think Toyota Prius) that will start up the bike as long as you're within 30 ft. of it. In addition, there are sensors that will constantly monitor your tire pressure and alert you of possible signs of a flat tire. This is a great safety feature especially for those who find a 500 mile trip to be a warmup. However, if you're planning to do Los Angeles to Vegas for lunch, the short windshield has to go – it's only enough to faze the US 93 winds for a few minutes.
  4. Aesthetics: Aesthetically, I think the FJR1300 wins the sexy contest. Its plastics and aerodynamics brings everything from the front to the rear in a seamless line. The Concours 14, like its predecessor, looks beautiful but still carries that appearance of being put together in sections. Kawi's Concours only comes in a silver color that hides it in the bright sun. I prefer the FJR's black cherry shade (it turns completely black in '08), a deep shade of burgundy red that also appears in Yamaha's power cruiser, the Roadliner.
  5. FINAL VERDICT: Even with the attraction of toys and the additional overdrive gears for cruising, I still vouch for my FJR1300. There's a reason why this model has avoided major changes for the past 10 years and is a favorite for long tourers and Iron Butt challengers everywhere. Also, its seat height is still in the tolerable range for a good bunch of female riders. But, if you're tall enough to really enjoy the Concours, there's another possibility waiting for you.

 

Z1000: I rode this bike last year. I rode it this year. I know that I am destined to have a version of this bike at least once in my motorcycle riding life. This bike fits the perfect balance of diabolical design and race bike action. Of all the naked liter bikes I tested (the 1000cc class), this one wins for having both smoothness and agility in a beautiful package. Its stock seat is quite comfortable, and the ergonomics are very similar to that of the Suzuki SV650. Think of it as a grown-up SV without as much forward torquey grunt but tons of top-end speed. Its design has "hooligan" written all over it. I just wish it came in something else than black. The '06 powder blue was quite nice, too. 

 

Ninja 250: When most people think of this bike, the words "first bike" and "MSF Course" usually come to mind. However, this machine just doesn't get the respect it deserves. Selecting this bike as my final test of the entire event was simply icing on the cake. As much as I had enjoyed riding the liter bikes and giant touring machines, riding the 250 was truly the bike that revealed the strengths and weaknesses of my own riding technique. Many people often write off the little Ninja because of its tiny displacement, the fact that it looks like it's been stuck in the 80s, and the illusion that it's a waste of time to ride. But in reality, its engine is one of the best kept secrets at Kawasaki. There's a reason why this is their 1 selling bike!

 

Its motor is a bit sadistic in that it won't really get up and go until you rev the crap out of it. However, that's what it wants, and it'll reward you ten fold with power and speed that you would've thought that you couldn't get out of this bike. It's no slouch once you grab that throttle; I was traveling 60 MPH in 2nd gear – the tachometer buzzing at about 10k RPM in the process (redline is approx. 13k RPM) and my toes hitting the pavement through the tight turns. I would definitely get one of these bikes for the track. As for the daily commute, I have a lot more respect for these machines, especially when one zips past my FJR1300 and into the crevices between cars that I'll never fit through. I am very curious to see what they are doing to it for 2008, its first revision of the bike in 20 years. 

 

Suzuki
Boulevard C90T
: My only Suzuki test ride during Femmoto was on the C90T, the most outfitted cruiser in the Boulevard lineup. Very smooth from the get-go, its 90 cubic inch engine (approx. 1400cc) delivered power and smoothness effortlessly. This bike was begging for two-up action, and with the $14k pricetag, you get the bells and whistles of those "other" cruisers without sacrificing quality. Many people would be turned off by its overpowering appearance, but looks can be deceiving. It's got great ground clearance and is very agile for a cruiser. A great bike for the long road ahead and the streets leading to the supermarket. 

 

BMW
F800: Meeting up with Gina from Las Vegas BMW (who used to work at Long Beach BMW) was a nice reunion – I had tested a 1200C Montauk at the LB dealership a couple years back for kicks and got into some interesting motorcycle talk back in the day. I rode the all new, 2007 F800 on the street testing run. For the inseam challenged rider, BMW has answered your prayers with this 800cc, parallel twin boxer engine bike. I was able to land the balls of my feet comfortably with the high seat installed. The F800 has crisp acceleration, easy to shift gears, and adequate luggage space to boot with many possibilities for expansion. However, with a price tag of approximately $14k, you might as well set your sights higher with a Yamaha FJR1300 or a Kawasaki Concours 14 with a slightly lower price tag and a larger engine…unless you really, really want those nice heated grips.

 

Aprilia
Tuono
: This is the only bike that I rode twice during Femmoto. With its very smooth powerband and torque at every gear, this bike has the get up and go to keep you entertained while the right spread of power to be ready for the canyons and long stretches of road. I had test ridden this bike last year and I have grown enough in my skills to really appreciate its agility. However, this bike isn't for the newbie; it's a 1000cc powerhouse with a front brake that will stop the entire machine with the touch of a finger. But, once you get used to that, it's a hoot to ride and a very stable bike to take a double apex curve in. One of my personal favorites and a bike that I'd like to add to my fantasy garage.

 

Honda
919
: Honda asserts itself as one of the top motorcycle makers in the world with this naked sportbike. Its neutral seating posture is a confidence builder. On the track its stiff frame and balance of power made this the easiest bike to control through the many curves and switchbacks of the course. However, if you're looking for additional luxury features, the 919 is as naked as naked gets. A definite winner for the category of "nomadic canyon carver." I'd also recommend it for a step-up bike that'll teach you the true meaning of cornering.

CBR 125R: I didn't actually ride this bike, but it was up for display as the subject of a survey being conducted by a few reps from Honda. I participated in this survey and basically found this bike to be great for the MSF course and the real newbie to the sport.

For more information about this possible U.S. import, visithttp://www.honda.ca/MotorcycleEng/CurrentModels/Sport/CBR125R7.htm?Year=2007.

I hope to see one of these guys on the road someday.

 

Augusta MV
Brutale 910
: Pat Clark Motorsports of Las Vegas presented several bikes from Augusta. The Brutale was the third liter bike I had tested on the track. Sheer power with a flick of the throttle. Definitely not for the new or inexperienced rider as the bike lurched with torque through every gear. As agile as the bike was, I was trying hard to curb its enthusiasm (and mine) as it raced through the straightaways. Respect your right hand, keep it below 150 MPH, and this would be the bike for you. 

 

Hyosung
GT250R
: With the departure of the Honda Nighthawk 250, it's been hard to find a 250cc standard sportbike without having to hit Craigslist or the CycleTrader. Hyosung fills the void with its 250. Its styling cues are taken from a CBR or R6 and it looks like a larger displacement bike with its plastics. Like the Ninja 250, it's much more effective in the higher RPMs. It is agile and will turn on a dime with little effort. However, I found that it seemed to lack the extra bite that the Ninja 250 had that really made it stand out of the crowd. I would figure that a little bit of individual tweaking would turn this into a formidable track bike. It's a pleaser for the newbie or the person who's looking for the around town commuter that'll eat 80 miles of road to the gallon.

 

Comet 650: Its appearance can be compared to a squared-off Suzuki SV650. The 90 degree V-twin engine of this standard, naked sportbike resembles that of the Suzuki SV650 but it was a bit more challenging to find the "sweet spot" in the engine that the SV possesses, especially at the higher RPMs. I did find that I needed to rev the engine a little bit more than I was used to in order to get the oomph I was looking for. The teardrop-style handlebars (that looked like they were taken off of an Intruder) took a little bit getting used to but ended up being quite comfortable in the end. In terms of seat and posture, it was very upright and easy to sit on. I am curious to see how it could do in a canyon – it passed the test on the flat surfaces and a few of the small curves around the speedway.

 

Avitar 650: The Avitar is basically a cruiser that sports the same 650 engine as the Comet. Its styling takes many of its cues from the H-D V-Rod and wears the lines well for a significantly smaller bike. Sitting on it, the forward controls are a bit farther than what I'm used to, so its ergos may be a bit more comfortable for someone taller than 5'5". The torquey engine did compensate for the extra weight the cruiser body adds to the whole setup and I didn't feel like I was underpowered at any time. I found that the engine complemented the cruiser style much better than the sporty configuration of the Comet. This is a great alternative to the Yamaha V-Star 650 with nice looks and a spirited engine that will surprise the cruiser enthusiast. Personally, I think the side insignias could be shrunk or redone as the large letters on the sides detract from the cleanliness of its design. Otherwise, throw on some saddlebags and go!

 

Kymco 
Xciting 500
: I don't know if I'd ever get used to the scooter positioning with my feet together in front of me sans fuel tank and rumbling engine, but this would be a great model to consider if you're looking for a freeway legal scooter with lots of cargo room. Kymco's take on the large-displacement scooter is a winner here with their 500cc Xciting. It's an alternative to Suzuki's Burgman and Honda Silverwing. Acceleration is instant and crisp, brakes are responsive, and you certainly don't feel like a dwarf on this machine. However, because of the smaller scooter tires, ground clearance is a major weakness. I found myself having to severely reduce my entry speed into curves and to watch my leaning as the tailpipe and the floorboard occasionally made contact with the track (yahoo!). If you're not popping the canyons, this one's great for work and the occasional solo shopping spree at Nordstrom's (you can fit a lot of clothes under the seat!). 

 

Ducati
Monster 695
: After going through Femmoto 2006 without touching a single Ducati, I end the drought with its newest middleweight, the Monster 695. It was a bit difficult to adapt to its "upright" position which was actually borderline to the level of a sportbike clip-on. In addition, the fact that it had a dry clutch made starting the bike rolling a bit awkward. Foot position didn't match me, either; I felt very cramped, hunched forward, and leaning over the front wheel. In fact, (and apologies to Ducati for this comparison) it felt very much like the Buell Lightning that I had tried last year! However, I think this bike sounded the sexiest! The carbon fiber canisters roared with sheer authority. I'd take those pipes and put them on my FJR1300 anytime! It's a bike that's just not for me. 

 

Harley-Davidson
Fat Bob

Bob was my first blind-date introduction to the world of Harley. Upon turning it on, I finally realized why Harleys are so unique in their character. This thing rumbled like crazy during its idle and twisting the throttle made the engine roar through the pipes with that distinctive hoggish grunt that everyone recognizes as H-D. It was effortless to get it to move and I flew straight up the highway. My biggest complaint was the placement of the forward controls. I found myself dangling at times attempting to reach for them, much to the humor of the tail end rider during this demo. Hitting the brakes forced me to hug around the tank to touch both the rear and the front, although after a while, I just relied on the front brakes to stop when I was less than 15 MPH (they're more than adequate for that purpose anyway). I might have enjoyed it a bit more if I had the mid controls on it. Bob was nice, but I'm still reconsidering the second date. 

 

Sportster 1200 Low
I rode this bike in the late afternoon sun on the second day of Femmoto. It was that perfect time of day when the chrome really started to shine and gleam. The Sportster was a nice compensation for the slightly uncomfortable experience that Bob gave me. As a cruiser, it's quite light, and like the Fat Bob, it was a smooth release of power from the get go. This balance of power and low center of gravity made this a very easy cruiser to maneuver through the streets and had more than enough oomph to reach freeway speeds. Still, this low model did not perfectly match my ideal riding posture and the seat felt so sunken in that my lower back was starting to strain a bit. Once again, not really the cruiser for me, but it was fun to finally ride the legendary brand. 

 

Final Harley Comments: For a Harley to truly "fit" me, I would have to spend quite a bit of change in alternate seats, handlebars, parts, etc. etc. One thing I like about the Japanese cruisers is that all of the comfort is there right out the box, so it's really just a get up and ride question rather than a mass purchase of new ergonomics. In addition, purchasing a Harley is like graduating from an expensive, renowned higher education institution. When you have a Harley, you have the social network and the name behind you which, in some cases, surpasses anything you know about riding and motorcycles all together. People will look at the Harley and pretty much assume you're a hardcore rider. People will find out that you ride and the first question that comes out of their mouths is, "Do you have a Harley?"

 

However, I am grateful for the hospitality of the H-D stores that I have encountered on the road, most specifically in Delaware, Missouri, and Massachusetts. In these places, any bike is welcome and it's pretty much an oasis in the middle of the deserts of the endless interstate. They have made it their mission to create an atmosphere that is friendly and comfortable, providing refuge for the long distance rider or the person who's been on four wheels for so long that she's dying for a piece of eye candy. 

 

And finally… 

Scorpion EXO Helmet: One of the guys at the Scorpion truck was very gracious in lending me a helmet to demo on my ride on the track. After whizzing around wearing it, I can say that this helmet has been constructed very well and is a very comfortable piece of equipment. Its faceshield, when closed, seals perfectly and shuts out a significant amount of the wind noise that comes with traveling at highway speeds (above 55 MPH). The helmet is also very aerodynamic and flows with the wind so turning the head isn't a wrestling match. Also, its fit is very close to that of the Shoei RF-1000. It's been rated just a [slight] notch below Shoei for safety and its sub-$300 price tag is the best bang for your buck, just in case you accidentally bang yourself off the bike. Don't forget, it's recommended to change your helmet every 3-5 years, or 2.5 for the crazy people who put more than 30k worth of miles a year on their bikes.

Want to be part of the action? Join Femmoto for 2008! See you there.

 

 

October 11, 2006

Femmoto in Las Vegas...Part 2

Okay. I'm back from Vegas after a 290 mile ride and several stoppages and traffic splits on the I-15. Before I took off around 1:30PM on Sunday to return, I jumped on five more motorcycles and rode myself crazy before lunchtime. Here are the new test subjects:

Moto Guzzi Breva 1100
Moto Guzzi Griso 1100
Aprilia RSV 1000R
Kawasaki Z1000
Kymco People 250 (Scooter) 

I expected to only try two bikes before leaving, but I managed to fit in these guys because there were far less women on Sunday than on Saturday. Perhaps they were all frustrated about losing at the craps tables or something like that.

 

This is why I'm so glad that I'm desensitized to Las Vegas…

[Here's how I got lucky in LV, though. I went to the arcade at MGM (after a solo dinner at the MGM buffet with the crab legs, of course) on Saturday night and asked for singles for my $10. I took a dollar and put it in the token machine, receiving $10 in tokens in return. I go to the basketball machine and shot hoops until my tokens run out. I then go the redemption table and get myself a happy plush flower with the wire stem. That's now wrapped around the rear grab rail of Irene. Like she needed more crap attached to her!] 

 

I jumped on the Breva 1100 first. I didn't expect to get this ride, but nobody else was on it so I blasted onto the track with this one. It's a standard bike with a long, cruiser-like chassis on it. It was no slouch, though. I was slamming this thing through curves like it was a 500cc Ninja. It was the best handling bike of the five I tested today, but I wasn't a fan of its delayed and heavy clutch. However, if I could afford an Italian bike, I could see myself on it someday. 

After that, I was on the Griso 1100. For overall appearance, this was the sexiest of the bikes, and the first one that caught my eye when I first came to Femmoto. As for ergos, my knees were so high up while riding it that…I won't finish that comparison.  But anyway, beautiful bike that will blast through the corners but something that doesn't fit me. 

 

[Side note on the Moto Guzzi bikes: engine style and position has an odd gyroscopic effect at idle. If you go to the Moto Guzzi website (http://www.motoguzzi-us.com), take a look at the way the V-Twin engine is positioned – the "V" is actually sticking out of the sides of the bike. It will actually rattle sideways when it's idling, which feels quite funny. BMW bikes do the same, except you're dealing with a horizontally opposed engine with more cylinders.]

 

Then, I finally got to ride the bike that I've had my eye on for quite a while: the Kawasaki Z1000. Its quadruple exhaust pipe setup makes it look simply evil! The ergos are identical to Irene's and its engine had me by the seat of my pants the entire time. I dubbed this bike as "what happens when Irene (or the owner) grows up."  If I ever have to give Irene up, this one is next in line when I continue on my sportbike run. Take a look on Kawasaki's website. You'll see why I like it so much. Just wish it came in another color other than blue.

 

Second to the last bike was the Aprilia. It's a very standard setup with sportbike styling. Steering on it was quite hard and it didn't flick like the other bikes. Not what I expected for the over $12k price tag. This is why it's a "try before you buy" event. There are quirks to every bike, and this was no exception. On a bright note, strong engine with no real weak points and it'll fly. 

 

Last, but not least, was the People 250. When I got on the Kymco scooter, one of the enduro bike riders jumped on the track and told me to follow his exact lines. I managed to keep up with him the whole time and hit all the turns. This time, I got my revenge on a Ducati and blasted past it on a straightaway. I actually managed 67 mph while doing so (yes, that's a 250cc scooter).  Make things even more fun, the engine was so silent that I literally hummed past it…lol. I got a bit of praise from the enduro rider for following the lines. I learned more on that one run than the other times I jumped on the track. Now I feel that I can follow my turns much better than I could before.

 

Sunday's runs weren't without their weirdness. After an accident-free Saturday, we had three consecutive crashes on three separate sessions. I was on the track for two of them. Incident one involved an Aprilia and a Kawasaki. The person on the Aprilia tried to pass the other on a curve (absolutely stupid) and clipped the wheel on the Kawi. Both went down, and that ride ended early. Second crash was solo. While I was on the Griso, a rider on a Kawi ZX-10 blasted past me and cleared the first turn. I had a feeling that she was going to take the second turn way too hot, and I was right. When I finished the double apex turn (that's a continuous U curve in plain English – very tricky especially when you have to continuously adjust your focus point as you're turning), there was a mirror in the middle of the track, the bike in the middle of the dirt island, and the rider on her butt with her thumbs up (meaning she was okay). Fortunately I was only going about 45 mph, so it was easy to slow down. I'm not taking my chances on a bike that I wasn't fully familiar with. 

 

Couple of notes:

-    Bungee cords and cargo nets are my friends. I got myself a new pair of Ducati boots and had to bind my Red Wings onto the tail of the case. It's good I brought the extra ties. It's also awesome that I have so many loops and handles that I could bind that stuff onto.

--> --> -    I'm definitely going to get a dedicated top case to mount on the back of Irene. I learned very quickly that it comes in handy to have a container that doesn't have to be removed from the bike to be secure. Also, I could also use the extra space.

--> --> -    If you've kept track of the bikes I've ridden over the weekend, I did not try any bikes that had clip-on handlebars. I'm not a fan of the aggressive sport bike position as I've established myself as a long-distance touring rider. As Kawi Ninjas are awesome, anything beyond the 650R doesn't fly with me…unless they're made into standards.

 

There's a few little quirks to improve on. I'm leaving for Laughlin on the first weekend of November and I have to modify my current supplies to factor in the cold temps. Any ideas on thermal gear from the experienced bikers out there? I really don't want to go electrical vest on myself…more freakin wires.

 

On a parting note, I was amazed at how many surprised eyes and compliments I got about Irene and the luggage setup that I had. Quite a few of the people didn't realize that Irene was a generation two SV650 and mistook it for something much larger. It was cool when people asked me where I got the parts to "trick out" my bike. That was awesome. There weren't any stuck-up performance junkies at this event, just women who appreciated their rides and appreciated the rides of others as well. 

 

That is all. Next stop is a couple other random rides and Laughlin on the first week of November! See you on the road…

 

 

October 8, 2006

What happens in Vegas...is on this blog.

Here's my report from Las Vegas. I'm here at the Elysium Internet Cafe located at 7875 Sahara Ave., which has become my virtual home away from home. So, while drinking my taro milk tea, here's what I got to do today.

Today was the first day of Femmoto, a women's track day in which women from all over the United States and the world come to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and test bikes from various manufacturers. I rode my bike all the way from Los Angeles to make it here, and just this one day of bike riding was definitely worth the trip.

The day started at 7AM with me visiting the various bike manufacturers to sign up for the bikes that I wanted to test. After that, there was a quick meeting explaining the protocol for the track, and we were off to bike testing.

 

Here were the bikes that I tested:

Buell Lightning XB12Ss

Kawasaki 650R

Kawasaki 500R

Kymco Venox 250

Kymco XCiting 500 (scooter)

Moto Guzzi Nevada Classic 750

 

I was only slated to test five bikes, but I managed to get seven track sessions in with six bikes (I loved the Kawi 650R so much that I rode it again).

 

To make a long story short, the winners were the Kawasaki 650R and the Nevada Classic 750. The Kawi's ergonomics were so user friendly that it was just sheer joy to slam that thing through the tight turns of the track. As for the Nevada, its upright positioning and cruiser looks made me feel like I was on the open highway again, just without the traffic.

 

My least favorite was the Buell. It rattled quite a bit because of the nature of its frame and engine. It was the fastest of all the bikes, though. I managed to pull about 95 mph on a straightaway before having to brake again.

Honorable mention for humor's sake goes to the Kymco XCiting and the Venox. They were the slowest of the bunch, but it was fun to ride a scooter and a 250cc engine bike again. Ground clearance was so low on them that I managed to scrape the folded centerstand on the XCiting and the actual exhaust pipe on the Venox. I was laughing my ass off when I was nailing all the turns and still getting my ass kicked by the Ducati riders. You and your Italian engine pieces...sheesh.

 

I'm looking forward to [hopefully] testing a Ducati and another scooter before I ride the 290 or so miles to get back home. While you wait for my return, here's some video of me on the BMW Ride for Kids charity event from a couple weeks back. Enjoy.

 

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