Evenin` all.......:thumbup
I`m brand new around these parts, although I did spend quite a bit of time on RSV Zone a couple of years ago, as I had a 2004 RSVR back then, hence the "return" bit in the title...
Anyway, brief history: I`ve had loads and loads of sportsbikes over the years (nothing else, really), but after a couple of years off biking, (due to Mrs Dexter`s serious illness), I`ve recently returned to the fold.
Now then, being a bit of an old git, I really wanted another sportsbike, but sometimes head must rule heart, and my head told me that I was getting a bit old for the sportsbike riding position, so I started to look round for something that would fit the bill, ie; something of a sportsbike, but with a comfier riding position, and this lead me to my current steed, a Yamaha FZ1 (or Fazer thou gen II for those that know
)
Okay, the Fazer, whilst being a great bike, which does everything you want, is a bit lacking in the "character" department, and, contrary to the press blurb, it aint no R1.......... "detuned" or not ! Yes, I know I should have thought of this on the test ride, but after no bike for a couple of years, it felt fast as fook, so the deal was done.
Anyway, only 3 months down the line, and I`m left feeling a bit cold by the Fazer (feel a bit rotten saying this, as it IS a good bike), so I decided to start looking again, and accordingly, yesterday, I got to test ride 3 different bikes..........
1. MV Augusta Brutale 920 - Fantastic looks, quality finish with some nice trick bits, including a single swing-arm, lovely torquey motor, quick handling/steering, and a generally nice bike.
2. Kawasaki Z1000SX - Bit of a surprise this one; felt like a Honda ZZR (no, that`s not a typo), as it felt very sanitised, as only Honda can, but as "comfy armchair" as a Kawasaki ZZR feels. I felt it would make a great sports-tourer, but as with the Yamaha, make no mistake, this is no "detuned" ZX10R, despite its 1043cc engine, and it felt disappointingly slower than the (slightly) smaller-engined Brutale, AND, again surprisingly, my Fazer ! So Kawasaki, sorry, but definitely no cigar for that one !!
Now here comes the rub:
3. Aprilia Tuono V-twin - when I arrived at the dealer, this bike was parked outside, and I did a quick double-take as I pulled up, as on first glance, I thought it was the new V4 Tuono. Only when I`d parked the Fazer, got my lid off and gone over, did I realise that it was actually the V-twin. "Very nice", I thought, as I took in the "hard as nails" matt-black colour scheme, and general stance of the thing. Now, I`d never considered a Tuono before, because they have no appreciable wind protection with that small-screen, right ? WRONG actually (as you lads will know, already having one :blush). Once inside the dealership, I had a brief look at some more naked Z1000`s, and another Brutale that they had in there, and then got chatting with the salesman, who suggested that I took out the demo Tuono outside.
Now although I already "knew" that I wouldn`t be buying it because of my (stupidly ignorant) percieved lack of wind protection, who was I to refuse the offer of an immediate test ride on a Tuono ?
Anyway, I`m sure you can guess the rest...........yep, no word of a lie, I`d not gone more than 100 yards down the road, and I KNEW that THIS was the bike for me !!!!
Loads of immediate grunt (with a gnat`s chuff tight engine with only 200 miles on it), and a balance that only a PROPER sports bike can give you !! Fantastic suspension (not some budget, road-compromise crap) that becomes better the faster you go, and the feel, sound and character that ONLY a V-twin engine can give. I was immediately smitten, and it felt like being "back home" on my Ape RSVR...........but with a comfy riding position. In short...........pure bliss !!! :cool2
So yes gents, after giving it some thought overnight, and looking how much they were going for around the country on Autotrader/ebay etc...I`ve been back today and stuck a deposit on it................so...........ROLL ON NEXT WEEK........IT`S GREAT TO BE BACK ON AN APE !!!!!!!
Comments please, if you`re still awake/alive, after all that bollox !!!
I`m brand new around these parts, although I did spend quite a bit of time on RSV Zone a couple of years ago, as I had a 2004 RSVR back then, hence the "return" bit in the title...
Anyway, brief history: I`ve had loads and loads of sportsbikes over the years (nothing else, really), but after a couple of years off biking, (due to Mrs Dexter`s serious illness), I`ve recently returned to the fold.
Now then, being a bit of an old git, I really wanted another sportsbike, but sometimes head must rule heart, and my head told me that I was getting a bit old for the sportsbike riding position, so I started to look round for something that would fit the bill, ie; something of a sportsbike, but with a comfier riding position, and this lead me to my current steed, a Yamaha FZ1 (or Fazer thou gen II for those that know
)Okay, the Fazer, whilst being a great bike, which does everything you want, is a bit lacking in the "character" department, and, contrary to the press blurb, it aint no R1.......... "detuned" or not ! Yes, I know I should have thought of this on the test ride, but after no bike for a couple of years, it felt fast as fook, so the deal was done.
Anyway, only 3 months down the line, and I`m left feeling a bit cold by the Fazer (feel a bit rotten saying this, as it IS a good bike), so I decided to start looking again, and accordingly, yesterday, I got to test ride 3 different bikes..........
1. MV Augusta Brutale 920 - Fantastic looks, quality finish with some nice trick bits, including a single swing-arm, lovely torquey motor, quick handling/steering, and a generally nice bike.
2. Kawasaki Z1000SX - Bit of a surprise this one; felt like a Honda ZZR (no, that`s not a typo), as it felt very sanitised, as only Honda can, but as "comfy armchair" as a Kawasaki ZZR feels. I felt it would make a great sports-tourer, but as with the Yamaha, make no mistake, this is no "detuned" ZX10R, despite its 1043cc engine, and it felt disappointingly slower than the (slightly) smaller-engined Brutale, AND, again surprisingly, my Fazer ! So Kawasaki, sorry, but definitely no cigar for that one !!
Now here comes the rub:
3. Aprilia Tuono V-twin - when I arrived at the dealer, this bike was parked outside, and I did a quick double-take as I pulled up, as on first glance, I thought it was the new V4 Tuono. Only when I`d parked the Fazer, got my lid off and gone over, did I realise that it was actually the V-twin. "Very nice", I thought, as I took in the "hard as nails" matt-black colour scheme, and general stance of the thing. Now, I`d never considered a Tuono before, because they have no appreciable wind protection with that small-screen, right ? WRONG actually (as you lads will know, already having one :blush). Once inside the dealership, I had a brief look at some more naked Z1000`s, and another Brutale that they had in there, and then got chatting with the salesman, who suggested that I took out the demo Tuono outside.
Now although I already "knew" that I wouldn`t be buying it because of my (stupidly ignorant) percieved lack of wind protection, who was I to refuse the offer of an immediate test ride on a Tuono ?
Anyway, I`m sure you can guess the rest...........yep, no word of a lie, I`d not gone more than 100 yards down the road, and I KNEW that THIS was the bike for me !!!!
Loads of immediate grunt (with a gnat`s chuff tight engine with only 200 miles on it), and a balance that only a PROPER sports bike can give you !! Fantastic suspension (not some budget, road-compromise crap) that becomes better the faster you go, and the feel, sound and character that ONLY a V-twin engine can give. I was immediately smitten, and it felt like being "back home" on my Ape RSVR...........but with a comfy riding position. In short...........pure bliss !!! :cool2
So yes gents, after giving it some thought overnight, and looking how much they were going for around the country on Autotrader/ebay etc...I`ve been back today and stuck a deposit on it................so...........ROLL ON NEXT WEEK........IT`S GREAT TO BE BACK ON AN APE !!!!!!!
Comments please, if you`re still awake/alive, after all that bollox !!!
