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Went up to Pandora European Motorsports in Chattanooga today, and the guys couldn't be nicer. They basically threw us keys and allowed us to ride anything we had an interest in. I had already ridden an F6B Honda across town, thinking that was my next purchase. I left unimpressed with it. It flies, but feels like it is stuck in a time warp. Just not right.
Here were my impressions:
K1600GT - Smooth, fast and comfortable if it had a little peg mod done to it. This used one had some tranny lash in it that was weird, but they offered others to test, but time was limited. Overall, I could be very happy on a K16GT, even though it is giving up some wind protection compared to my RT.
Triumph Tiger Explorer - Nice adventure bike that seems a little rough around the edges compared to the 1000 V-Strom. Trans was a little clunky, and it wasn't as comfy as the Suzuki, which is cheaper and faster.
K1600GTL - Brand new, with none of the issues of the GT I rode earlier. Very smooth, but I really liked the seating position of the regular GT more than the GTL. The L felt too cramped, like a Goldwing. Overall, an extremely refined ride.
Ducati Diavel - Most fun I've had with clothes on in a long time. 162 hp and a sound and feel like nothing else I've ridden. When you twist that throttle, you'd better be hanging on. With no screen at all, it was tough to hang on at 100 mph. Went from 10 to 100 as I got on the on-ramp in no time at all. It would be fun to have one to take out and abuse once a week or so, but it would wear me out to ride it every day. Amazing bike. I can see me buying a Monster, or one of the other smaller Ducatis.
R1200RTLC - Well, although it's the new model of the same bike I've got, it was different enough that I want it. Much smoother, with power instantly available. Lower, more comfortable seating position. That extra 15 or so HP is really noticeable. The decade of evolution between my RT and the new one is very visible. LOVED IT!
All in all, a very fun day at a fantastic dealership who has won my business in the future.
Here were my impressions:
K1600GT - Smooth, fast and comfortable if it had a little peg mod done to it. This used one had some tranny lash in it that was weird, but they offered others to test, but time was limited. Overall, I could be very happy on a K16GT, even though it is giving up some wind protection compared to my RT.
Triumph Tiger Explorer - Nice adventure bike that seems a little rough around the edges compared to the 1000 V-Strom. Trans was a little clunky, and it wasn't as comfy as the Suzuki, which is cheaper and faster.
K1600GTL - Brand new, with none of the issues of the GT I rode earlier. Very smooth, but I really liked the seating position of the regular GT more than the GTL. The L felt too cramped, like a Goldwing. Overall, an extremely refined ride.
Ducati Diavel - Most fun I've had with clothes on in a long time. 162 hp and a sound and feel like nothing else I've ridden. When you twist that throttle, you'd better be hanging on. With no screen at all, it was tough to hang on at 100 mph. Went from 10 to 100 as I got on the on-ramp in no time at all. It would be fun to have one to take out and abuse once a week or so, but it would wear me out to ride it every day. Amazing bike. I can see me buying a Monster, or one of the other smaller Ducatis.
R1200RTLC - Well, although it's the new model of the same bike I've got, it was different enough that I want it. Much smoother, with power instantly available. Lower, more comfortable seating position. That extra 15 or so HP is really noticeable. The decade of evolution between my RT and the new one is very visible. LOVED IT!
All in all, a very fun day at a fantastic dealership who has won my business in the future.