Sorry for the delay in posting but I've been super busy.

Last Sunday my brother and I got up at 5AM and drove to Long Beach to sign-up for some test rides since we've never made it there on time to get on in previous years.

I've been dreaming of dual sports lately so I booked a ride with Kawasaki's KLR650 while my brother rode the 07/08 ZX6R. We then re-entered the line and signed up for a signed up for a second run. This time he wanted to ride the Ninja 250 and I got on the only bike left available - the Ninja 650.

We then went to Yamaha where he got an R6 and I got the new FZ1.

From there we went to Aprilia only to find out all the RSV-R rides were booked so I got on a touring type bike and he booked the SVX550.

Then we saw KTM and the rest was history.

Now for the bike comparisons:

KTM 690 Enduro: This was the first bike I rode that day and the first enduro I've ever ridden. Having said that, I was a bit concerned about riding on knobbies since I've read all sorts of horror stories. The first thing I noticed about the 690 Enduro was the very tall seat height. It's taller than the 990 Adventure! The seat is narrow and long, much more dirt than street which took some getting used to. The bike feels very light and the tall and wide bars made it very easy to steer. Tipping the bike into the first corner was a little un-nerving because of the long travel suspension but it was surprisingly stable on the street at normal speeds. Getting into highway speeds produced a bit of a wobble at the bars. I tried to transfer some weight forward but that didn't really solve anything. I didn't feel unsafe on the bike - it was just a different feel. The engine was a bit slow to rev and felt like they put a really heavy flywheel on it. All that aside, if I was looking for an 80% dirt enduro, the KTM 690 Enduro would get the nod.

KTM 690 SMR: The KTM 690 SMR is a lot like the 690 Enduro in terms of seating position and ergonomics. That's where the similarities end! The engine is much livelier and the suspension and tires are 100% street oriented. I loved riding this bike and dare say it is the most fun street bike I've ridden up to that moment. While it didn't have the power of my RC51, it made up for that with quick handling and nimble feel. While I wouldn't want to commute on this bike, I would put up with a freeway blast just to get up to the mountains.

Kawasaki Ninja 650: I've seen the Ninja 650 at Keith Code's Superbike School and occasionally on the street but have never put a leg over one until then. I'm not tall at 5'8, 150#, and a 30" inseam but the seat to peg distance felt really cramped. Reach to the bars was comfortable as was the seat itself. The bike reminds me a bit of my Yamaha YZF600 in that it is competent and easy to ride but not very exciting. That said, I didn't have a problem recommending this bike to a bystander who could got there too late to ride it himself. The guy was probably 5'6" and it looked to fit him perfectly. He was also looking for a commuter bike for which the Ninja 650 would be perfect.

Kawasaki KLR650: This was the bike I really looked forward to riding and since I rode it after riding the KTM 690 Enduro, I knew what to expect with knobbies. The KLR is an excellent machine and I would have no issues riding that thing around the country over rough or smooth roads. The engine is flexible as is the chassis. It cornered well, braked well, and acceleration onto the highway was more than adequate. While it didn't feel as light or "fun" as the more dirt oriented KTM 690 Enduro, I feel the KLR is a better all-around bike for what I would use it for - 100 mile freeway runs to the desert or mountains for a weekend of camping/backpacking. I think that a KLR will make its way into my garage one day unless Honda brings the Dominator back to our shores.

We decided to pass on the R6 and FZ1 and went back to KTM towards the end of the day and got the last rides on a pair of KTM Super Dukes. Earlier I said I thought that the 690 SMR was the most fun bike I've ridden - well, the Super Duke changed all that. The SD is AWESOME. I love that bike and would get myself is SO much trouble if I owned on. The way I described it to my brother was like riding the 690 SMR with RC51 power. If I had to own just one bike to do it all on, the Super Duke would be it hands down. It's only flaw is the fuel injection. It reminds me a lot of the RC51 when riding below the power band - jerky ON/OFF throttle but it happens at any RPM on the KTM. I think the solution would be to keep the throttle pinned at all times

We also passed on riding the Aprilias since our call time was 4PM and we were both feeling a it tired and spoiled by the Super Duke.

 

I got to test out the zx10 and my friend got to test out the zx6. During the ride me and my friend got separated from the rest of the group because the leader tried to exit the freeway all late. We rode back to the show by ourselves, but not until we got to test out the bikes like we stole 'em. then we switched bikes and I tested out his zx6. it was fun. I just didn't like the vibrations on both bikes.

we rode the r6's too, but I thought they were pretty boring. I had an appointment for the RSV, but I didn't stick around the show long enough to ride it.