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The Weather was perfect Mon-Tues-Wed at Americade 2013. Sunny and 65F days. 45F nights. The early week crowds were manageable but the evening streets were already packed in every available parking spot with custom show bikes by the thousands. Like Times Square on wheels from all the added lights and chrome.
I was late getting in both days. 7:10AM. Early is 5:30. Honda does very few demo rides and is essentially sold out by 6:30. Which is half an hour before the first Honda employees even show up to start giving out numbers to the already too long line. I was very lucky to get the last spot on the lone CBR500R for the day by hanging around their tent all morning while they shuffled the schedule into order and some gaps appeared.
Kawasaki brought at least twice as many bikes and sent them out continuously in two different groups. Generally with sport bikes in one line and the cruisers in the other. And caution seemed to fly with the wind on the later afternoon time slot I had on the second day. Three ZX14 at the front including the ride leader. A ZX1000, Ninja1000, three 636, two Ninja300. And me, third from the tail, right where the whip cracks, on the Ninja650 with the caboose chaperone on the other 650. The riding was a mix of fast super highway and beautiful down hill twisting river gorges as we rolled back toward the lake. We were told to ride in our own comfort zone but I was surprised we were allowed to run so fast that it required some hanging off to keep the heavy 650's from sagging the pace. The latest version of which does feel stiffer and more accurate and has zero rattles compared to my 07 even if the torquey big twin still has some vibes in the seat. Kawasaki's VIP tent was worth the $30 per year as a handy place to snack up and chill my gear bag and includes roadside towing for all four of my bikes. I like the Ninja650even with it's confused ergos for larger riders but still wonder what a Concours650 on the same frame and engine might be like.
Suzuki was an easy ride to get and they did bring a Hayabusa and all of the other supersports they tend to rely on for survival. I rode the V-Strom650 and can see why it is a cult classic for professionals. Nice square ergos and a big fairing and windscreen make it very relaxing to ride.
The Ninja300 is a great deal even if I think they left the new design a little small and seems more evolutionary than revolutionary. I would have to ride a 250 back to back but it is still a bit buzzy. The bottom end torque gains were countered out by the longer gearing but with the added benefit of only turning 7,500 rpm at 70 mph where my 09 is winding along at 9,000. Most people will want to add an adjustable clutch lever as it lets way out but it feels good at the engagement point and the slipper clutch works perfect.
Of course my favorite bike was the Honda CBR500R. You are surprised the second you key the starter. Like butter. Everything is so smooth. The clutch, the trans, the shifter, brakes. Even the feel of the switch gear is very dialed in. Similar to the excellent CBR250R but more and better. Nice soft suspension that will squirm in the twisties a bit but will soak up hours of rough pavement without rattling your eyeballs. Even better wind management and just enough extra power to pull a bigger rider and weight to tame highway buffeting. Nice roomy and balanced ergos. And $1500 less than the Ninja650 and should get better fuel economy as a slick commuter. The new Goldilocks bike in a niche of it's own.
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