My overnighter with an S1000RR
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 7:41 pm
Gibber ........
Jesus wept I've been riding for 38 years and have only ever been close to anything as brutally fast as the S1000RR, that was a Z900 turbo with nitrox that a mate built a few years ago. Although I suspect its performance was gained from fear as he did little to the brakes or suspension .... but in a straightline it made you giggle and scream at the same time ...
The S1000RR does the same, it's an awesome mix of brutal performance married to stunningly civilised handling, topped off with brakes that are as close to hitting a brick wall as I ever want to get to.
Gaps I'd think twice about going for overtakes again made me think twice, because I'd enter the intended slot approaching the rear of the next car in line far faster than intended ... thank God for those brakes!
Normal road users became a severe irritation for their mundane sub 120 mph bimbling. It was shod with Conti Sport Attack 2 and despite my best efforts they remainded stuck to the road throughout, apart from the 6" wheelie every time it was whacked open at a ton. At which point the traction would fight and bring the front elegantly back down.
Took my daughter on the back, she looked at the postage stamp seat and asked we didn't venture far. Stopped in Llangollen. She proclaimed she doesn't like sports bikes ..... as holding on was like a workout in the gym.
Went for a spin up to Betws and over the Crimea Pass. 140 (alledgedly officer) up the steep hill up the pass and still pulling hard. The dual note of intake roar and exhaust howl are intoxicating. What was stunning was that at whatever level of thrash it was given a snatched glance at the rev counter would indicate the bike was way within it's rpm parameters.
Flicking between rain/sport and race mode makes noticable difference to the way the power's delivered. The quickshifter took some getting used to as it felt alien to everything years of experience had built. Keeping it pinned while knocking it up a gear worked faultlessly but felt cruel/
A couple of friends came with me, one on a YZF600 and the other on a 1250 bandit. The bandit disgraced itself by sulking after a stop and the RAC had to collect it, duff immobiliser is the diagnosis.
While waiting for the RAC in Bala the dealership called to say my K was ready and could I bring back their S1000RR ....
....... Bala to Old Trafford in an hour ... cool 
If you've not ridden one, do so, even if you don't like sports bikes, it's a real eye opener!
Getting onto my GT was like settling into a very fast sofa afterwards.
Jesus wept I've been riding for 38 years and have only ever been close to anything as brutally fast as the S1000RR, that was a Z900 turbo with nitrox that a mate built a few years ago. Although I suspect its performance was gained from fear as he did little to the brakes or suspension .... but in a straightline it made you giggle and scream at the same time ...
The S1000RR does the same, it's an awesome mix of brutal performance married to stunningly civilised handling, topped off with brakes that are as close to hitting a brick wall as I ever want to get to.
Gaps I'd think twice about going for overtakes again made me think twice, because I'd enter the intended slot approaching the rear of the next car in line far faster than intended ... thank God for those brakes!
Normal road users became a severe irritation for their mundane sub 120 mph bimbling. It was shod with Conti Sport Attack 2 and despite my best efforts they remainded stuck to the road throughout, apart from the 6" wheelie every time it was whacked open at a ton. At which point the traction would fight and bring the front elegantly back down.
Took my daughter on the back, she looked at the postage stamp seat and asked we didn't venture far. Stopped in Llangollen. She proclaimed she doesn't like sports bikes ..... as holding on was like a workout in the gym.
Went for a spin up to Betws and over the Crimea Pass. 140 (alledgedly officer) up the steep hill up the pass and still pulling hard. The dual note of intake roar and exhaust howl are intoxicating. What was stunning was that at whatever level of thrash it was given a snatched glance at the rev counter would indicate the bike was way within it's rpm parameters.
Flicking between rain/sport and race mode makes noticable difference to the way the power's delivered. The quickshifter took some getting used to as it felt alien to everything years of experience had built. Keeping it pinned while knocking it up a gear worked faultlessly but felt cruel/
A couple of friends came with me, one on a YZF600 and the other on a 1250 bandit. The bandit disgraced itself by sulking after a stop and the RAC had to collect it, duff immobiliser is the diagnosis.
While waiting for the RAC in Bala the dealership called to say my K was ready and could I bring back their S1000RR ....
....... Bala to Old Trafford in an hour ... cool If you've not ridden one, do so, even if you don't like sports bikes, it's a real eye opener!
Getting onto my GT was like settling into a very fast sofa afterwards.