...The more that I love it!
:2thumbs:
Here's what I've noticed so far:
The transmission operates smoother than a baby's bottom... Like BUTTER!! :thumbup:
That 1330 triple... Where, oh where, have you been all of my life??
45 mph in 6th gear:about 2200 rpm; and it's happy! :clap:
The radio speakers seem to be less "distressed", by the volume levels that I'm cranking through them.
But; I'm getting worred; Do you EVER have to stop and put fuel in these things? :shocked:
At 130 miles; I'm still showing almost 3/4 full on the gauge. :yikes:
The brakes... AND the enigne braking, are a quantum leap forward! I thought that the old bikes stopped real well; this baby seems to use about half as much effort!
I'm gonna have to go take it for another ride today; just to make sure that all of what I've reported is actually true!!
OK, because of all the good natured "bickering" here, I had to go down to my Can Am dealer today and ride an RT 1330. Took one out for about an hour to see how many of Bob's claims I could observe first hand. That was, of course, the ONLY reason I went to ride one. It's not that I really wanted to, mind you.
My summary opinion, from only an hour ride, is that Dave is right on the net power, but Bob is right on just about everything else.
As for smoothness, I probably don't have as much first hand experience with a baby's bottom as Bob, but the 1330
IS Smoooth! It's the first thing I noticed even before I got out of the dealer's parking lot. It wanted to shift at about 1000 rpm's lower than my '13, (no more than 3500 or so on the 1330) and it was indeed smooth as could be. Out on the road there was absolutely no jerkiness to the shifting. Felt almost like a luxury automobile (or perhaps like a Honda Valkyrie or Gold Wing).
And it was quieter than the 2013.
And there was less vibration at highway speeds. (Although I'm hoping that maybe a laser alignment may prevent that in mine as well.)
I forgot to test the engine braking claim (which means I have an excuse for another "test ride"). But the brakes were indeed much more responsive than the 2013. I'd say that Bob's claim to about half the braking effort is accurate.
Best of all....
THE DREADED HEAT PROBLEM WAS COMPLETELY GONE! No heat coming from the radiator vent and none coming up around the seat to my upper legs. That's the thing that made me the most jealous. That, and the new backrest on the seat, which I loved.
Now the power... Yes, I could tell torque was quite a bit higher on the 1330, but as Dave says, so is the weight. I agree with Dave that the net effect was noticeable,
but only slightly so, in my opinion. That, in itself, would never want to make me trade my '13 for a '14.
What I also learned, while at the dealer, is that the 2013's have taken a drastic price cut in the market. Dealers are supposedly selling them for cost, less a $4000 BRP factory rebate. That makes a trade-up a very bad deal for most 2013 owners, especially if they've accumulated many miles. And, one of the dealer reps mentioned that they told him at a Can Am training class that something extraordinary is on the slate for the 2015 model year. They wouldn't give him more details, but he "thinks" he knows what it is. And if he's right, it will indeed be revolutionary.
Rob
2013 RT Ltd
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