06-24-2021, 10:45 PM
So this is the second season on a CB1100RS, and I’m so impressed.
It’s just so much fun to ride, I have very few issues with it. I’ve put about 5,500km on it so far this year, and hopefully many more. It eats road.
So I’ve decided this is a good place to start window shopping from, as there’s no rush. I can try other bikes in peace, and happily ride home to think about things. If I find something that blows my mind, I can undistractedly think things through.
So far this year I’ve tried these bikes:
Moto Guzzi V85TT
BMW R1200R
HD Livewire
HD Pan America
Ducati Supersport S 950
The Ducati literally knocked me out. My lower back couldn’t take the beating. This is my third day on the couch. So no more of those racing stance bikes. I need to sit more upright. I still have a 1992 900SS, but after this ride on its (totally gorgeous and maniacally hilarious) modern iteration, I’m just selling it as is. No more bikes where I have to lean on my wrists. I’m not giving up on Ducati, though. Once my back is ok again, I’m trying the 950 Multistrada.
The Guzzi was weird. It’s a GS type adventure affair, with a rev-adverse 850 twin. I had trouble keeping it under the redline, and tbh it wasn’t that torque-y either. If you don’t want me to give it even medium high revs, there should be a delicious push as you shift up. Lacking in power AND looking a bit wonky, I was almost relieved to not fall in love with it. Some great details, though, and I know many people will love it.
I’ve had BMWs before, but the R1200R disappointed me. First, the wind shield was in the worst possible place, my head was right where the worst turbulence happened. Most noisy ride ever. I know this can be fixed, but still. Second, I don’t know, it just didn’t spark joy.
Spark Joy could have been the name for Harley Davidson’s electric bike: the Livewire. I have NEVER had this much fun. This bike deserves more attention than it’s getting. It handled like an R6, it has a throttle (can I still say throttle if it’s a potmeter?) response like nothing I’ve ever sat on. I found SPORT mode and laughed out loud in the helmet. My right hand controlled everything: a twist and it goes, with a low hum that wind noise quicky defeats, and if you twist hard, you go fast. Immediately. Max torque from any speed, instantly. 0-100 in less than 3, but also 80-130. Twist, go. The engine even brakes nicely. If you roll off the throttle, you slow down. This was surprisingly intuitive and meant I hardly used the brakes. They were good too, although there was an ABS like vibration every time. Maybe because I didn’t use the brake unless it was very necessary.. I absolutely fell in love with the Livewire, and if I had a daily commute, I’d consider it. I often go far, and of course charging for four hours plus is ridiculous if you’re on a ride with buddies.
But mad points to HD for this thing: not only for being the first major player with an electric, but for getting it so ridiculously right!
I would lose my licence within a week of getting it, though. It sparks joy, and nothing about it inspires restraint. I would always go way too fast on it.
Also, it’s too expensive. Really.
Part 2 of this post is below.
It’s just so much fun to ride, I have very few issues with it. I’ve put about 5,500km on it so far this year, and hopefully many more. It eats road.
So I’ve decided this is a good place to start window shopping from, as there’s no rush. I can try other bikes in peace, and happily ride home to think about things. If I find something that blows my mind, I can undistractedly think things through.
So far this year I’ve tried these bikes:
Moto Guzzi V85TT
BMW R1200R
HD Livewire
HD Pan America
Ducati Supersport S 950
The Ducati literally knocked me out. My lower back couldn’t take the beating. This is my third day on the couch. So no more of those racing stance bikes. I need to sit more upright. I still have a 1992 900SS, but after this ride on its (totally gorgeous and maniacally hilarious) modern iteration, I’m just selling it as is. No more bikes where I have to lean on my wrists. I’m not giving up on Ducati, though. Once my back is ok again, I’m trying the 950 Multistrada.
The Guzzi was weird. It’s a GS type adventure affair, with a rev-adverse 850 twin. I had trouble keeping it under the redline, and tbh it wasn’t that torque-y either. If you don’t want me to give it even medium high revs, there should be a delicious push as you shift up. Lacking in power AND looking a bit wonky, I was almost relieved to not fall in love with it. Some great details, though, and I know many people will love it.
I’ve had BMWs before, but the R1200R disappointed me. First, the wind shield was in the worst possible place, my head was right where the worst turbulence happened. Most noisy ride ever. I know this can be fixed, but still. Second, I don’t know, it just didn’t spark joy.
Spark Joy could have been the name for Harley Davidson’s electric bike: the Livewire. I have NEVER had this much fun. This bike deserves more attention than it’s getting. It handled like an R6, it has a throttle (can I still say throttle if it’s a potmeter?) response like nothing I’ve ever sat on. I found SPORT mode and laughed out loud in the helmet. My right hand controlled everything: a twist and it goes, with a low hum that wind noise quicky defeats, and if you twist hard, you go fast. Immediately. Max torque from any speed, instantly. 0-100 in less than 3, but also 80-130. Twist, go. The engine even brakes nicely. If you roll off the throttle, you slow down. This was surprisingly intuitive and meant I hardly used the brakes. They were good too, although there was an ABS like vibration every time. Maybe because I didn’t use the brake unless it was very necessary.. I absolutely fell in love with the Livewire, and if I had a daily commute, I’d consider it. I often go far, and of course charging for four hours plus is ridiculous if you’re on a ride with buddies.
But mad points to HD for this thing: not only for being the first major player with an electric, but for getting it so ridiculously right!
I would lose my licence within a week of getting it, though. It sparks joy, and nothing about it inspires restraint. I would always go way too fast on it.
Also, it’s too expensive. Really.
Part 2 of this post is below.