Die another day (RR in Greece - Part2)

[peter f]

Part 1 > Die another day (RR in Greece) – Part1.

Note: Was in a windsurfing club the other day. Whether forecast promised nuclear side-onshore winds. 3.7m2 sail stuff. Reality was a bit different. What to do? Double espresso for me please. But … some old-days friends arrived there from the outside world (Germany). One of them had the Thing. Can I take it for a gentle ride please?

Drugs:

Modes they do have a noticeable effect in fireworks (DTC sensitivity as well). Rain is ”like” a R12S (treated by Frank) – but motor feels a bit odd (like some lemon K12S/R motors). Sport is like a Blade minus something and Race is like a Blade on steroids. Slick is like a ZX10R on steroids.

Rock & Roll:

The thing is nimble and very civilized. Gives you the impression that’s uncrashable: the DTC is very smooth and maybe is better than the one found in 1198S. Actually…that uncrashable claim is partially true…given the Greek tarmac quality (a what?). So, I rephrase: DTC is almost very smooth but this second required could make grown men crawl (but a pint of ouzo could fix that, after the ride). BTW: what is a Greek tarmac? Well…imagine a Metz M3…that lasts 12000++km (in mirror smooth surfaces is not nuclear science).

RR mini stroke has a penalty (despite the 3 “EXUP” valves): R1 is better low down (and maybe around middle range) but when the thing clears his throat it delivers the goods. Engagement of the second injector (the one that sits on top) and the variable intake trumpet activation is not noticeable by any means. Muted soundtrack is up to current plastic is fantastic standards. Cheapo steering shock present instead of a Blade state of the art gizmo (speed sensitive). No idea about fuel consumption/range/service intervals but that’s utterly pointless anyway. Hope that multidisk slipper clutch could stay alive for a decent period of time, but then again this is a SS thing – with the usual SS hidden costs (and Oops moments).

Eccentric wet sump is very cool (I like asymmetrical designs) but why not a dry one?

Brakes are very good and fade free, but no floating disks (that’s really odd). Alpha offers floating stuff, Bitubo shocks (a what?), “street legal” (kinda) pipework and lots of reasons to blow a zillion dollar. Hit the bank.

The overall RR feeling is like riding a Blade: you can’t distinguish parts from the whole (VS, say, a 10/1198 Ducati where the motor dominates the show by a huge margin). Homogeneous is the word.

NOTE: civilized or not, DO NOT mix intentions with ability with that thing.

Sell your Blade/GSXR/ZX10R/R1 and get the thing (all black)?

Hmm…Easy: if you think that you could better the Big Brother with your bare hands keep the Blade and save the cash. Otherwise go to dealer. On the other hand > don’t tell to anyone but I’ve lost faith to BMW reliability (blame my Bad Karma and my “peerless” R12S made some Saturday night – I can’t comment the K12R that I had for 3 months…that bike was an “Adventure”…). Anyway…bikes are like third marriage: triumph of hope VS experience … he he.

RR main puzzle:

You know it already: if you “learn” to ride (banzai power exits et all) based on that DTC thing…this is one way ticket (with no return). On the other hand in year 2011 Japs could (obviously) catch up with similar “riding aids”. And even if their products could be a tad more expensive than the current ones > no harm done > price has no meaning on that market segment. People want the ultimate and are ready to pay – I’m talking for marginal price differences, obviously – not 1198S/RCV4 silly money.

Final Verdict:

The Thing is 2010 SS King. A civilized pocket rocket with more brain power than HAL9000. DTC/ABS equipped RR VS I4 Japs is “like” 1000cc 4strokers (+ electronics) VS the 500cc 2strokers.

The best news:

The fellas had all the modern mobile paraphernalia (what a waste of money - not to mention that you'll need a 600 page manual to operate these gizmos). They took some pictures...and I gave them my e-mail for sending them here. Hope that they haven't lost the paper with the address (but never trust a Greek).

Best, Peter