Rode a widow-maker and lived to tell the tale.

LeeR · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Karma :

Took my mate's TL-S for a spin today, and he rode my DL.

I was impressed with the acceleration and surprised at just how stiff it was, it took a bit of getting used to in the bends. I managed to open it up a bit on the straights but hitting 80 mph comfortably in 4th gear was essentially the limit of the road, my abilities, and my ambitions. I had no desire to kill myself and was really pleased I didn't bin it for him. He's had a lot of work done on the bike, new engine, rear shock, you know all the recommended upgrades and fixes. I was glad I wore ear plugs though as he has some very loud pipes on it. I found the engine very similar to mine but obviously with some more, the brakes are identical so I was able to gauge deceleration effectively. My only real complaint would have to be the riding position, which made the heel of my palm really sore after 15 minutes.

We swapped back to our own bikes shortly after and having gotten used to the TL gear lever and clutch I then had to get used to my own bike again. I rode my own like a complete noob for the first half mile, it felt loose and wobbly and oh so slow, but the brakes were fine. Well my mate took off and I rode back within my limits, catching him up due to traffic but loosing him in the bends on the dual-carriageway where he was happy to cane the bends at 100 mph but I backed off from 85 mph to 80 mph and arrived 30 seconds after him.

I really enjoyed it and I'm very grateful to my mate for letting me experience a TL-S, but in all honestly I feel so lacking in skill and craft that I don't think I'd ever get the best from it, anyway just thought I'd share... Mr. Green

____________________
My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

neatbik · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Karma :

You're a brave man Cool

I know what you mean though, yesterday i took my brothers k3 gsxr750 out for a spin. Now my speed four is meant to be a sports bike, but the gsxr was out of this world - instant drive at any revs, total stability, very hard suspension and a front brake so sharp you could probably wittle wood with it.
It did kill my back though...
After riding that it took a while to get used to my bike again, it felt like an armchair Laughing

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

I had a similar experiance, i had a go of my mates RF900R. It was nuts, I decided to pin it first straight I found and when I decided to look at the clocks it said 140, I had been accelarating for what felt like only a few seconds. It was like a rocket ship. I found it to big and heavy in the bends though and fairly uncomfortable for what it meant to be a tourer.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

McGee · O RLY? Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Karma :

RF600r's are tanks.

The legs are in a sports bike posistion and the bars in a tourer. You look strange when sat on one and they are very low, I'm 6ft and could flat foot with bent knees either side.

Good fun mind.
____________________
◙◙► K6 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 1000 ◄◙◙◙◙► K5 GSXR 600 ◄◙◙◙◙► 96 RF600r ◄◙◙
◄◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙►◄◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙►◄◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙►
Its pronounced Jixxer!