International Motorcycle Show - Houston

[Gone Ape]

He said choir    heh  he heh heh heh

[Red5]

Cool.  Looking forward to seeing you guys tomorrow.

Remember to bring your leathers so we can drag some knees on those demos.

Also just got word that Colin Edwards will be at the Yamaha display.  So bring your stuff for autographs.

[Gone Ape]

Go Colin.....I wish I had some Castrol era stuff to sign.........

[10/10ths]

I'll be there when they open Saturday.  I'm in Katy right now.  The drill for test rides is simple.  Sign up at the table for the bike you want to ride, first come, first served.  It's gonna be cold, bring gear.

See you pregnant doges there.

John

[Pedro-bot]

That was fun.    Demo'd the following:

1. Hypermotard S
2. KTM SuperDuke 990
3. Kawasaki Versys
4. KTM RC8
5. Kawasaki Concours

FUN! FUN! FUN!!! 

[Drjones]

Versys is on the short list.

Hmm. Versys + used 749 or new Multi 1100S  Descisions. Descisions.

[Pedro-bot]

Versys is on the short list.

Hmm. Versys + used 749 or new Multi 1100S  Descisions. Descisions.

Dude. That Versys is deceiving. The engine spins up really easy. Pulled a few wheelies without even trying. FUN!!!! With a capital F! 

[Red5]

1.  KTM Duke 690
2.  KYM Super Duke 990
3.  KTM SMC 690
4.  KTM RC8
5.  Kawi ZX-6R
6.  Kawi Ninja 650-R
7.  Hypermotard
8.  Some Kymco scooter

Impressed with the RC8.  Torquey motor.  Very stable.  Mucho riding position adjustability.  Only gripe was the engine heat.
Very impressed with the Super Duke 990.  It's a urban hooligan machine.
Hypermotard...  meh, it's okay.  I was expecting something a little more.
Kawi ZX-6R.  This (and the other current 600cc Supersports) is basically a race bike in street trim.  Hard to imagine how narrowly focused the Japanese have made these bikes within the past few years.

We were rocking the Kymco's.  Vinucci even dragged some metal on a corner or two.

[Gone Ape]

Go Frank Go!!!!!    Scooter Mania in H-Town!!!  What, no Harleys?

Man how late did you guys stay?  That's a lot of testers....when we arrived the que was about 10 deep for KTMs so we blew it off...the DRONE back to the ATX was uh, dull dull dull.....thank God we weren't on bikes.....it was great to see you guys...no, Joe I won't post the pics of the ear treatment!

"So called Bike-o-the-year" aside, that Versys is one fugly motorcycle....period....my favorites were the Roland Sands Specials and reminiscing about with Johhny O's Mugen and Glover's Factory OW (got to see them in anger back in the day)...oh yeah, Vale's M1 was pretty cool too....

Really disappointed about the lack of Factory participation/Vendor displays....like anything else, I guess it just comes down to money

[ducky]

Got to ride the following:
1.  HD Nightster (looks very nice, but that is about it.  It sounds dissapointing and the seat is very hard)
2.  Yamaha V Start950 (so comfortable and smooth. It's like coasting on the highway on your cush recliner with your legs and feet way out there!)
3.  Ducati Hypermotard (hard, snappy ride. I was expecting more.  A Termi and tuned ECU would make a huge difference)
4.  Kawasaki ZX6R (scary powerful and uncomfortable for any street riding)
5.  KTM SuperDuke 990 (Just awesome on the street.  Big grin on my face.  Did not care much for the weak exhaust sound though)
6.  KTM RC8 (My butt was cooking hot from the engine, but it's the best of them all.  Turns quick and the most comfortable bike I have ridden)

Nice to see you Austinites!  Tooks some pictures of Joe and Frank have the best pictures but I'll hold off posting them for now   

[10/10ths]

Great stuff,

I test rode in this order:

Ducati Hypermotard "S" with full race Termi and slipper clutch
Yamaha R-6
Kawasaki Zx-10R
KTM RC8
KTM Super Duke 990
Yamaha FJR1300

Great stuff.  I was shocked at how telepathic the R6 was, it just went exactly where I wanted with no effort.  The RC8 was fantastic, great riding position and instant torque, Super Duke was everything I wanted the Hypermotard to be.....the Hyper?  Too Hyper.  Handlebars make it too twitchy, crazy responsive and great sound and super light....nice 4th or 5th bike.

FJR was just turbine smooth.

If I had to pick one bike......RC8 if I lived in the Hill Country.....Super Duke for where I live in flat land Louisiana.

Cheers

[Red5]

Great stuff.  I was shocked at how telepathic the R6 was, it just went exactly where I wanted with no effort.  The RC8 was fantastic, great riding position and instant torque, Super Duke was everything I wanted the Hypermotard to be.....the Hyper?  Too Hyper.  Handlebars make it too twitchy, crazy responsive and great sound and super light....nice 4th or 5th bike.

If I had to pick one bike......RC8 if I lived in the Hill Country.....Super Duke for where I live in flat land Louisiana.

Yep, the RC8 would be perfect for the twisties (and racetrack) while the SuperDuke would rule in a flat urban environment.  Again, great engines on those bikes.  I'm just interested in how dealer support is for the brand if I ever decide to purchase.

Wanted to try out the Yammie R6 and compare it against the ZX-6R that I tested.  Heard from guys who rode both that the R6 was even more track focused than the Ninja 6.  IMO a regular rider off the street will be hard pressed to use even half the full potential of these bikes.

Was good to see the Austin guys Paul, Tim, Rich and Ivo.  Too bad you didn't have time to demo a bike or two. At least a couple of you got to go home with some new gear.
We arrived at 8:30 in the morning and didn't leave until 3 or so.  Demo area seemed less crowded than on Saturday.  I think some people were turned off by the forecast of potential rain for Sunday.

[vinucci]

My favorite bike was the black ktm 690 supermoto smr. It was the ultimate take over town, drive through ppls lawns, ramp off driveways and gap some big shit sort of. . The rc8 was good though I didn't really experience the engine heat but then again I ride a 749 so... As for the hated on hyper you really didn't get the chance to open it up. With that said I'm sure its bad ass just look at that ruben xaus video clip where he is tearing it on the hypo. And as usual the best part was the betties
\hotties\stripper models and or that dudes girlfriend I was hitting on ;p... 'Nuff said

[txduc]

How do you think the 690 SMC would be outside of town in the hill country?  Is it fast enough to keep up w/ the group?  I'm looking at getting a second bike next spring and really like the motards but am worried it won't have enough power or range.  Would the Super Duke be better for the riding we do?

[ivobivo]

Would the Super Duke be better for the riding we do?

The Super Duke will be better. It's got style. And you know you want it.