Motorcycle Show February, 2005
It was that time again. Brian, Dave and myself ended up going to the MC show on Saturday afternoon this year. The show is way too busy on a Saturday, but it was still fun checking out all the bikes.
I definitely was impressed with the BMW K1200S - what a sharp looking bike. I went to the display three times and sat on the bike twice. But for me looks mean nothing, I have to be able to somehow reach the ground, and at 5'5" it rarely happens. But the K1200S seat sits lower than most sport touring bikes and the seat itself is very narrow and slim, like a sport bikes seat. So far this may be the only REAL Sport-Touring bike that I might be able to ride, unfortunately the bike is very heavy for me and expensive so I don't see a K1200S in my future.
I was smitten with the Ducati Multistrada 620 after sitting on it. I would have to shave a bunch of foam off the seat to actually ride it, the seat is at 32.69" but the seat is thick enough, I would imagine I can shave about 1.5". After sitting an comparing the Suzuki V-Strom 650 to the baby Multistrada, the Multistrada wins. The bike just fits me, its compact and feels light, the V-Strom feels like a heavy whale and I can barely can get one toe on the ground. I see a Multistrada in my future, I've liked the 1000 for a while, but the 620 is lower and cheaper - two things I look for in a bike. Of course my 954RR still has a couple of years of life in it, so it won't be any time soon.
After falling in love with the Yamaha FZ6 in the magazines and sitting on the bike last year at the show, feeling such disappointment that the bike didn't fit me or feel good to me, yet on paper it was perfect, the price was perfect, the seat height was perfect and it looks good too. I have to say that I sat on it again this year and I like it better, but those foot pegs are still in my way, I guess that is something one can get used to if they really want the bike.
A surprise this year was the Kawasaki Z750. Since I first laid my eyes on the kawi Z1000, I have always liked it. I was even contemplating on getting one when I was looking for a bike in 2003. But since the bike can't be lowered and the seat can't be shaved, it was a bit too tall for me. But I like the Z750, it fits me better then the Z1000 and I think it also looks better, has a larger wind screen. I don't even like kawi but somehow I could make an exception for this one.
I made a point to sit on the Suzuki SV1000S, which is lower now, but still heavy as all hell to me. I can't get over the instrument cluster, it feels so far away. This was also one of the bikes that I was looking at in 2003.
Finally I made it over to the Yamaha R1. Looking sharp this year as always but still not as comfortable as the 2003 model I was looking to purchase.
Of course the day wouldn't be complete, I had to sit and drool over the Ducati Monster. I like it, I like it a a lot.
I was a bit surprised that the little BMW F650GS, which I felt so comfortable on last year, felt weird and awkward this year. I do like the bike but after riding a bike that has 132 ponies, I don't see me dropping down to something that slow.
Brian is enchanted with the Triumph Sprint ST 1050 this year, and I do have to admit that is a pretty bike (I love the silver one) he would prefer the caspian blue like his TT. Too bad you couldn't sit on the bike, maybe I could get one too?
So, maybe in 2006 when we are do for newer bikes, Brian will get the 05 Sprint in blue and I'll get a 05 Multistrada 620 dark. Just imagine, one day soon we will be sporting hard luggage and on our bikes.
When I close my eyes, I can see our garage. In one corner there are two dedicated track bikes, a F4i and TT, in the other corner our day ride machines, 954RR and a Daytona, then further down in the garage two sport-touring bikes, a Sprint and a Multistarada. 3 Triumphs, 2 Hondas and Duc. Sweet! Now if we could just win the lotto :)
