Today was the day for the
HP2Shreddr's maiden voyage with yours truly aboard. Sunny, in the low 60's in other words perfect day!
Full disclosure, I did not ride the bike stock
Before my first ride I installed the Akra exhaust, FRK and the
RT a-arm 
Before anybody jumps on my case about not trying it stock first, I knew all these things would improve the bike and I wanted to see if I could ....ahem...match the Black Beauty's performance.
First off
ergos: muscle memory told me in the first 2 minutes of the ride that this was not the R12S, it reminded me for the first hour, and then like magic it went away. This is a more agressive position, I could feel it more in my back and hip than on the R12S but, eventually I adapted and realized this is the way it should be. If hiway super slabbing is your gig, don't do it on this bike, if you live for twisties, nirvana awaits! The seat is very firm, but comfortable, after 3.5 hours straight in the saddle, I was thinking it might be perfect. If the Sargent seat is better, that would be like the cherry on an ice cream sundae.
Next up
suspension: I set both shocks, compression, rebound and sag according to the manual, and I loved it straight out of the box. It is VERY reminiscent of my ex R12S, which makes sense as I had those shocks valved to HP2S specs. The suspension has less travel than the R12S, which obviously enhances the handling (more later).
Motor: OK, so everybody wants to know how the HP2S engine stacks up to the R12S UberBoxer. I am sure there are many HP2S owners who want to hear me say this things blows away the R12S, the reality is that the UberBoxer is very fast, but believe it or not the HP2S is faster, it just doesn't feel like it. This bike is deceptively fast, which is probably due to the lighter weight, lower COG, quick shifter and rocket motor. I ran through the gears at one point and looked down and saw 135 mph and thought, wow that came up quick. Where the exR12S shines is from 3000 to 5000, it just flat out grunts, and the Wossner parts make it feel like it spools up quicker, but from 7000 on the HP2S flys, and that last 1200 rpms above the 8800rpm R12S redline, leaves no doubt in my mind that the HP2S will leave any R12S in the dirt regardless of state of tune, Uber Boxer included. The HP2S is so light, that a blip of the throttle gets the front end up with ease. The R12S didn't do that! I do think there is room for improvement though, as the exhaust was popping vigorously on deceleration leading me to believe that it is probably too lean. The FRK must be improving it in some way, but I do think that perhaps a RapidBike is a better solution for this machine. I also think that the Wossner parts will do for the HP2S, the same thing they did for the R12S which is help the revs build quicker. I also know that the 5 pound difference between the stock forged wheels and BST's will help with the perceived acceleration.
Which brings us to
handling: This thing is a razor blade! The 50 lb weight reduction (Akra included) over the R12S is obvious, the way this bike dives into turns and transitions is freaky, it reminds me of a motocrosser it handles so fast. Even if the HP2S motor was slower than the R12S, I would trade up to the HP2S just for this benefit. For me its all about pitching it in the turns, and this is the finest machine I have ever experienced. I can't compare to the stock HP2S without RT a-arm, but knowing how much it helped the R12S, and given that the base chassis are similar, I put it on. For you HP2S owners who don't have an RT a-arm, get one! BTW, the quickshifter is the coolest accessory I didn't know I needed, if you haven't tried one see if you can ride someones bike who has one, it is
SO beetchin and makes acceleration insane!
I rode 200 miles only stopping once to piss and get gas. I was grinning the whole time, the 3 year wait was worth it! Is it perfect? Not really, but damn near. What didn't I like? There is a perceptible buzz through the handlebars and seat at certain lower rpms. It wasn't enough to make my fingers go numb, but the R12S didn't have this. I guess the lack of the counterbalancer has an effect. The Akra exhaust note is very rich, but in actuality I liked the HPE sound better. The Akra is new and I know after the packing gets abused a bit it will richen up
As has been mentioned numerous times the mirrors suck, giving a great view of your elbows, but I did notice one function. When your chin is on the gas tank, they work perfect, so perhaps the mirrors were designed for an intended purpose.
I havent mounted up my radar yet, and felt a bit naked, especially given the "pace" I was maintaining, so I gotta find a place for that. I couldn't mount the BST's because the rotors are too wide, but I understand I can get new rotor carriers, so that is on the list. The R12S hugger, which I would have
SWORE would fit the HP2S, doesn't. I have no explanation as to why, the pumpkin and swingarm look identical to the R12S, but the 190/55 tire rubs on the hugger when mounted up. I apologize to anyone I contradicted on this.
Lastly, I am going to install a set of Wossner rods. They are a direct replacement for the stockers and should save 1 full pound over the stock rods. This should help with the revs immensely.
So, Phase 1: FRK, Akra and RT a-arm. Phase 2: BST's and Rapidbike (soon), Phase 3: Wossner rods (winter 2011), and Phase 4(?): Big bore kit, although I don't think the additional displacement will make as much difference for my intended purpose as the rods alone.
That's it brothers, if you have an R12S and want HP2S performance, buy an HP2S, because the handling is true sport bike. If you are just looking to get the most out of your R12S, I have posted many mods which made a big difference for me.
Rock on!
