Test rode one. Given that it's all angular and tail high, it's a surprisingly comfy riding position - very similar to the blade I thought.
Very comfortable, handles superbly, brakes awesome, loads of torque, sounds good, ride very plush ( Then again I was used to Ducati's rock hard suspension) They are quite a big bike but I am only 5ft 8" and I managed it.
Yes I also have a soft spot for them, they look better in the flesh than photos mind.. Also very cheap just over 10k I think ive seen last years model for? Love the RedBull orange rep ones they look superb!
I did about 1500 miles on one over a summer and loved it. Probably the most comfy sports bike I have ridden, very adjustable, great engine, great handling, loads of character. The only small downside, I found that you had to tell the bike who was boss. I personally found that it didn't bimble about desperately well, but needed to be ridden hard to get the best out of it. However, that is just my brief experience. Overall, if I were riding on the road still, it would probably be my number one choice.
Early ones had terrible throttle issues, I had to slip the clutch at every roundabout or you would go from o to 30mph in a spilt second, different throttle cam and pc3 sorted that, the later ones are better. Just to tempt you,
i was doing a trackday at Rockingham on Saturday and was speaking to a guy who was on one ( 2 weeks old ). he had bought it to replace his triumph triple. i got the feeling that on the road he didnt like it. said the fuelling was bad at slow speed and then came alive but not at legal limits. saying that it made a lovely sound and went past me at full throttle into the hairpin when i was full on the brakes ( i was on the SRAD not the blade i add ! ) next session i was following him when he pulled up abruptly in front of me. turns out the end of the gear lever fell off. one thing to be said is the brake and gear lever ends are interchangeable
had a Red Bull one (RIP) but replaced it with an RSV 4 with carbon and Austin Racing exhaust, would recommend 8 ball to anyone to try, nothing touches it for torque mate, sweet bike
IMAG0546_zpscb2dda21.jpg Photo by Trevor_Parris | Photobucket heres my old one mate really miss here, would often just go into the garage just to look at her, sad git that i am
If I could combine the looks of the KTM with the sound of the aprillia I would be saving my penny's now
I had one of these a year or so ago. Great bike. Adjustable everything! loads of torque. Didn't feel fast after the screaming blade....but it was fast. I went -1 tooth on front sprocket and that sorted the slow speed jerkiness. The issues that were apparent on the early bikes were fixed by recall. I would but another.
