01-21-2018, 02:38 AM
I haven't had my 2013 that long, and love it, but had an opportunity to test ride the 2017ex last month and compare. To be honest, the impetus was as much esthetic than functional: I like the spokes ( but not tubes), the tank, the engine color and the dual exhaust, and wouldn't mind the extra gear and the ABS. But I wasn't really in the market to trade up, just yet. I went in expecting the ride to be the same. It was subtly but noticeably improved. The new suspension makes the bike feel more settled and planted, and eats up bumps better; the seat was comfy and the gearbox and clutch even smoother than on my 2013, which was already pretty dang smooth. Admittedly, this was a dealership's bike, so I didn't have it long enough to really test out the seat, 6th gear, or the upper RPM range etc--Houtman will have better info here. Difficult to say whether it is better enough to justify the expense over trade-in, but now there's a question hanging over me that wasn't there before. I didn't realize the new bike was heavier--I certainly couldn't feel 20 pounds difference either still or moving though.