2001 Model Tests
 While it’s not our forte to feature
new models every month, it does make sense to test drive new models locally and
give readers our take on them as they pertain to Puget Sound.
why would anyone sitting in their house freezing in Winter
shivering at 30 degrees because the last electric bill was so high want to read
about a new motorcycle? Would you
be inspired to go out, put chains on the car and ask your dealer for a test
ride.
I won’t say these are official TEST
reports (you can get those anywhere), however they provide us a chance to ride
these machines locally and report back to you of our thoughts.
We’ll be doing more of these on an as
needed basis which is relational to new models as they hit the street. If you’d like us to test a model just send a note to the editor@soundider.com.
TOURING
Honda Gold Wing 1800
 Mike at Everett Powersports got on the
phone one day and invited me to test drive the new “1800.”
I figured he meant Honda’s new VTX Cruiser which is just hitting
dealers floors as I write. Instead
I was shocked when they pulled around the new coveted Goldwing.
The bike is everything they say it is and if you think you might be
intimidated by it’s size, that all disappears after you pull out of the
parking lot and ride it 100 yards. It’s a pussy cat and it also has an alluring side.
The minute you take a 120 degree turn, to say, get on the expressway the
bike is coaxing you and crying out “I’m a Sportbike, ride me like a
sportbike.” How could I resist.
Despite it’s mass, it handles corners and sends a smile five miles wide
across your face. For those who
like a lot of controls on their bike, this one is loaded.
CD player, CB, radio all that stuff and you’ll probably spend the first
three months you own it figuring out what each of the 11 finger accessible switches
are on
the left hand grip alone. If
you’re not into the 6 disc CD changer, toss it and ad a latte’ machine
instead. Never heard about the
Latte’ machine add on, call Everett and ask for Mike Liebold at the parts
counter.
Where you can get one:
Everett Honda*, Cycle
Barn, University Honda, RMC
Motorsports, Reiner’s South Sound Honda
DUAL SPORT
BMW F650GS
 BMW brought the F650 to market a few
years back with some mixed results. It
was a chain eating monster, BMW’s introduction of a bike with no shaft, and
a motor built elsewhere. Nonetheless
the market went crazy for it and the F650 began to build a reputation for
itself. Similar to when Volkswagen
introduced the Rabbit in 1975, there were plenty of things that needed to be
worked out, but just as VW later returned with the GOLF, BMW has brought it’s
second generation F650 to market with the GS model.
No more chain eating, newer styling placing a vacuum seal gas cap behind
the rider and better engineering make this toy the choice of choices for Dual Sport riding. Yep, it cost a little more
than Kawasaki’s KLR, it doesn’t rattle as much as Suzuki’s old DR series
and it’s midget friendly allowing little guys like me to sit on
them flat footed.
We took a bike for a weekend. Around town riding was a cinch with easily handling making it a breeze to ride as well as park. The adjustable bags provided plenty of room for making short shopping hops.
But the real question was how did it perform on the highway and in the dirt?
Along I-90 the bike had no trouble doing the 70 mph with plenty of power to spare and the ride was incredibly smooth for a dual sport.
But the road performance didn't sacrifice it's abilities in the dirt. Along logging roads northwest of Mt. Si the moon surface pot holed roads were extremely tolerable and handling was as smooth as I've ever encountered on a new bike which I had yet to get accustomed to. Impressive stuff here.
If dual sports your game, the F650GS just may be the name.
Where you can get one:
Cascade
Motorcycles, Ridewest BMW*
NAKED BUT FAIRED STREET BIKE
Kawasaki ZR7-S
 Remember when they used to call these
kind of bikes standards? Now
they’re naked, naked with fairings and street/sportbikes.
OK, you’re right, I never heard anyone call them that last one.
But what we’re talking about here is a standard street bike, with a
little flash and much of the punch of smaller sportbikes on the market today.
The ZR7 is a lot of fun to ride, a lusty looking hunk of engineering and
it even carries with it a little retro style.
Sportbikes in general can be rather boring along Interstates and the
like, but a romp down the Alaskan Way Viaduct had me thinking what fun people
are having on these bikes doing around-town type riding.
It’s got this smooth as silk low whine to the engine, and its
lightweight makes it a blast in turns. Plus,
it’s one of those rare bikes that has a petcock with reserve AND a fuel gauge.
Just right for guys like me that need to be reminded during my 40 mile
margin of grace that I need to get gas. What
makes this bike even juicier in it’s 3rd year of production is a
new fairing that aids in it’s aerodynamics and provides some wind reduction to
the rider.
Where you can get one:
Cycle
Barn, RMC Motorsports
SCOOTER
Vespa
 Too bad Jackie O. couldn’t have been
around for the return of the Vespa. Back
when she was photographed on one in Europe in the 60’s it was a two stroke,
four speed oil/gas mix machine. But
times have changed and now that Piaggio has made it’s amen’s with the EPA
they’ve reintroduce the line into the US, in style.
The new look is only slightly updated from the last scoots they released
here and they’ve latched onto some of the more common things we see in scoots
today. The rear brake is no longer
on the floor, but located on the left hand grip.
The bike is now a four stroke so you won’t be running around looking
for some of that precious two stroke oil whenever you venture out.
It’s also automatic and even better is the 150 model’s ability to go
up to 65 mph making it possible to take on the interstate.
But beware, you won’t be doing any high speed passing or trick
cornering with this puppy. The
smaller wheel base makes it a bit dicey should you hit a pot hole, but the
suspension is frankly far more comfortable than some of the newer scoot.
In the end the Vespa is a lot of fun and makes a super around town
utility vehicle. Eight new colors, mostly metallic, and an optional luggage
rack make this a head turner for getting some groceries or hopping a ferry for a
day on Vashon.
Where you can get one:
Big People Scooters*
*Special thanks to these dealers for
providing the test bikes ridden in this article. Kawasaki ZR7 provided by Adrienne W.
Photos courtesy of their respective manufacturers.
Spring 01 |
