Cycle Show in Phoenix

[Sven]

During the Cycle World International Cycle Show in Phoenix this past weekend, I managed to get 5 test rides in on Saturday, and they were about 20-25 miles each!

Here’s what I rode, and a brief comment about each.  Naturally, there’s more I can say about each, and will post more specifics if anyone asks.

Yamaha FJR1300AE with electronic shift http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelhome/501/0/home  -- After putting a lot of miles on the FJR, I wanted to try the clutch-less shift model.  Really requires a brain-retune:  Neutral is below 1st gear, and you don’t have a clutch lever when you start out from a stop.
Can-Am Spyder http://spyder.brp.com/en-US/ -- Weird. Handles nothing like a motorcycle.  Another brain re-tuning.
Kawasaki Concours 14 http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=220 – Didn’t get enough time to really get a feel for it compared to the FJR.
Kawasaki Z1000 http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=269 – This little naked bike was a lot of fun!
Victory Vision http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/Victory/Vision/Experience/ -- Seemed much lighter than it is, but I am not used to big cruisers and didn’t really like much about the experience (finding the foot levers, turns, the huge nose, etc.)

[solman]

I didn't do any test rides this year.  Next year I am going to get their earlier and definitely knock out some test rides.  One of the ones I would've like to have tried was the KTM Super Duke.

[Sven]

I was disappointed that we were unable to meet.  ALl things considered, I should have stayed the extra day, since I could have gotten another day of test rides in.

[solman]

It would've been nice, but the conflicting schedules kind of clashed.  Hopefully next time we will be able to make better arrangements.