08-01-2014, 12:55 AM
(07-28-2014, 01:31 AM)HikerToo_imp Wrote: I was thinking of this KTM or the BMW S1000R, which out did the KTM in cycle worlds reviews… I've always liked inline 4's , never ridden a v twin…how does the feel compare?
I rode one recently at a KTM demo day. Riding in a group I was never able to get past about 2/3rds throttle (with all the electronic nannies on), but even so the thing pulled very, very hard. No comparison with the CB. I really liked the sound and character of the engine...there's a raw "mechanical" feel that, to me, sets it apart from four-cylinder bikes. I definitely had the feeling that the "real" power started lower in the RPM range than most fours also...which is no surprise, I guess.
The bike looks "normal" size, but felt very light and small when I was on it. Oddly small, in fact. That was one of the things I wasn't too thrilled about: Apart from the mirrors, it almost entirely "disappears" below your visual field. I remember feeling like I had to physically tilt my head to see the speedo/tach. Granted, I'm pretty long in the body, so others might not notice this as much.
My only real problem with the bike--and this is probably the only thing (apart from the price and unknown reliability) that would keep me from buying one--is the vibration through the bars. It seemed like it was always there, regardless of RPM. Vibration tends to be a subjective thing--and I was probably gripping the bars harder than I normally do--but my hands were tingling within 5 minutes, and pretty much numb in 15. I'm not sure I could get used to that.