I know many people basically have to just go in and buy a bike, spending thousands or tens of thousands of dollars on a bike without even personally knowing how it rides. Their only idea of the bike being on videos they have seen, articles they have read or sitting on the bike.
So, I feel very fortunate that my local dealer let me actually test ride several bikes. I purchased my FZ6R from them, and although I don't go to their service department, I do stop by to drool over the toys they have every few weeks. I told one of the guys about my age whose family owns the dealership what I was interested in and he said "sure you can take them for a spin to try them out". I was interested in the:
2013 Yamaha FJR1300
2013 Kawasaki Concours 14
2013 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
2012 Yamaha FZ1
He said their dealership hasnt had an FZ1 in a couple years because it is getting to be a relatively old bike that hasnt been updated lately and the last one they had sat on their floor for over 2 years. I did however, find a dealership in the city I grew up in that is willing to let me test ride an FZ1. I just need to call them in advance of whenever I am there again and they will set me up.
Anyways, so yesterday I went into my local dealer after having a swollen mouth from going to the dentist RIGHT before this. I had my DriftHD and a gerry rigged microphone on my helmet. I hope the mic worked.
He had the Concours, FJR and the Ninja out for me to ride. I was thinking, "ok, a salesman is going to ride another bike with me and take me on their route for a SHORT demo".. No, he walked out with me and showed me the bike and how to use the features (menu system). It became clear he was not going with. I asked is there a certain course that you want me to use? "No, we recommend a course if not from the area but since you are, you can decide where you go." I said "ok, is there any restrictions on distance"? He replied, "No, just dont put on 100 miles." I then told him what I was thinking, a combination of roads I know that will allow me to try slow speed, high speed and gentle to mild corners. He was cool with the route I mentioned.
So I gloved and helmeted up and jumped on. Off I went on the FJR first. Out from the dealership, down a local hiway to a nearby city then swung back around to a county road. Took that to where I live and then drove around town and actually by my house. Then manuevered and began heading back.. I ran into probably 1 minute of rain on my way back.
This TOTAL TEST ride was about 35 MILES!!!! WOO HOO!!
I got back to the dealer and we talked about 5-10 minutes on what I did and didnt like on the FJR. Then he did the same thing for the Concourse and off I went on the EXACT same route... Figured had to compare apples to apples, dont do anything different on the test rides so that can see exactly how they compare. Another 35 miles... Problem here though was that it started raining about 2 miles from the dealer.. Roughly about 10 miles away it started to pick up even more. Not real heavy but was coming down enough.
At this point, because of my gerry rigged microphone setup,even though I felt very secure on the bike in the rain (more so that I do on the 6R in rain even w/ PR3s) I was beginning to hope that they would NOT let me ride the Ninja 1000 anymore. I did not have the waterproof back on the DriftHD, AND my battery was almost dead since I used it earlier in the day and my spare was already deas because I screwed up and didnt charge it.
Well I got back to the dealer and, again, we talked for about 10 minutes on this bike and my comparison thoughts. He then asked about me riding in rain on the Ninja and I said I was ok but it was their call. He said since I have done it so far and I overall have 15,700 miles under my belt he would let me go. So we went outside, THEN IT OPENED up and really started raining. He apologized and asked if we could actually postpone the Ninja for either Saturday morning or Next friday when I have off again, because the Ninja didnt have traction control and the tires werent as good, they were going to let me test ride a 2011 Ninja 1000 they had as they have no 2013s in stock at the moment. He said other than ABS, they are the exact same. I agreed (secretly happy for this outcome so I could have a new battery).
Anyways, I should have video of the rides so far of the Concourse, FJR and soon to be Ninja. I will post them below along with my PERSONAL Opinions on each bike when I can edit the videos. I will try to to them this weekend.
Thank you!
So, I feel very fortunate that my local dealer let me actually test ride several bikes. I purchased my FZ6R from them, and although I don't go to their service department, I do stop by to drool over the toys they have every few weeks. I told one of the guys about my age whose family owns the dealership what I was interested in and he said "sure you can take them for a spin to try them out". I was interested in the:
2013 Yamaha FJR1300
2013 Kawasaki Concours 14
2013 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
2012 Yamaha FZ1
He said their dealership hasnt had an FZ1 in a couple years because it is getting to be a relatively old bike that hasnt been updated lately and the last one they had sat on their floor for over 2 years. I did however, find a dealership in the city I grew up in that is willing to let me test ride an FZ1. I just need to call them in advance of whenever I am there again and they will set me up.
Anyways, so yesterday I went into my local dealer after having a swollen mouth from going to the dentist RIGHT before this. I had my DriftHD and a gerry rigged microphone on my helmet. I hope the mic worked.
He had the Concours, FJR and the Ninja out for me to ride. I was thinking, "ok, a salesman is going to ride another bike with me and take me on their route for a SHORT demo".. No, he walked out with me and showed me the bike and how to use the features (menu system). It became clear he was not going with. I asked is there a certain course that you want me to use? "No, we recommend a course if not from the area but since you are, you can decide where you go." I said "ok, is there any restrictions on distance"? He replied, "No, just dont put on 100 miles." I then told him what I was thinking, a combination of roads I know that will allow me to try slow speed, high speed and gentle to mild corners. He was cool with the route I mentioned.
So I gloved and helmeted up and jumped on. Off I went on the FJR first. Out from the dealership, down a local hiway to a nearby city then swung back around to a county road. Took that to where I live and then drove around town and actually by my house. Then manuevered and began heading back.. I ran into probably 1 minute of rain on my way back.
This TOTAL TEST ride was about 35 MILES!!!! WOO HOO!!
I got back to the dealer and we talked about 5-10 minutes on what I did and didnt like on the FJR. Then he did the same thing for the Concourse and off I went on the EXACT same route... Figured had to compare apples to apples, dont do anything different on the test rides so that can see exactly how they compare. Another 35 miles... Problem here though was that it started raining about 2 miles from the dealer.. Roughly about 10 miles away it started to pick up even more. Not real heavy but was coming down enough.
At this point, because of my gerry rigged microphone setup,even though I felt very secure on the bike in the rain (more so that I do on the 6R in rain even w/ PR3s) I was beginning to hope that they would NOT let me ride the Ninja 1000 anymore. I did not have the waterproof back on the DriftHD, AND my battery was almost dead since I used it earlier in the day and my spare was already deas because I screwed up and didnt charge it.
Well I got back to the dealer and, again, we talked for about 10 minutes on this bike and my comparison thoughts. He then asked about me riding in rain on the Ninja and I said I was ok but it was their call. He said since I have done it so far and I overall have 15,700 miles under my belt he would let me go. So we went outside, THEN IT OPENED up and really started raining. He apologized and asked if we could actually postpone the Ninja for either Saturday morning or Next friday when I have off again, because the Ninja didnt have traction control and the tires werent as good, they were going to let me test ride a 2011 Ninja 1000 they had as they have no 2013s in stock at the moment. He said other than ABS, they are the exact same. I agreed (secretly happy for this outcome so I could have a new battery).
Anyways, I should have video of the rides so far of the Concourse, FJR and soon to be Ninja. I will post them below along with my PERSONAL Opinions on each bike when I can edit the videos. I will try to to them this weekend.
Thank you!
. Not stock of course. I am actually really looking forward to your reviews!