isthatahemi
New member
So after renting a GS for 4 days in northern California, when my wife and I put on 1300 miles, and being thoroughly impressed, we found a brand new / non-current - 2011 RSS SM5 with .8km's on it.
Some observations of the rental. Lots of fun with! We did almost all top notch twisty roads, and what a fun machine. The power was fun, while being usable and not overwhelming. The bike we rented was from Rydeon Motorsports, in Sacramento. The big had a loud / booming Leo Vince exhaust system, which gave the bike a lot more character. I was genuinely surprised at the visceral / booming /engaging / torquey experience this machine exhibited. Lot's of backfiring in the over-run and while downshifting. The handling of the machine was quite poor initially, and lifting the inside tire at low speeds was surprisingly easy, which definitely limited my confidence initially. I think it was a combination of the springs all being set on soft, even though it had full Corbin luggage, a fairing, (which I thought looked AWEFUL, but I won't beat that horse) and 2 people on board. After I cranked the front springs full stiff, things were improved, but still a bit tippy. That said the nanny only kicked in a handful of times, a couple times when the inside tire lofted at around 45 mph after some sloppy throttle application out of a corner, so in other words, completely appropriate for the situation; cool. The limits seemed pretty low, but it was ton's of fun. Given the type of roads we were riding, dare I say, more fun that a bike? Fuel light came on pretty much every 90 miles, which was a bit silly as we always had a least a couple gallons left. The downshifting on this SM5 was very cool, loud barking of the exhaust was an attention getter. The upshifting was highly questionable, as there was rpm flare on engagement if I didn't let off the throttle. When I did let off, it felt like a well executed shift on a manual bike.
Trying to keep this short, fast forward a week, and we picked up a brand new RSS SM5 yesterday from the local dealer. They thought the unit had 3000kms, and discounted it $7400, only to discover on delivery day it was brand new. Props to them for respecting the deal! So for $13850.00 plus tax, we got a new bike, with 2 years warranty! This machine felt exactly as I had hoped. Far less tippy, more responsive, lighter steering. Stock exhaust is pretty weak, so I drove it 25 miles home, and slapped on a pre-bought HMF pipe. This bike sure liked to spin the rear tire on sloppy throttle application in the first 2 gears, dusty roads did not help. Shifting is smooth, and (in my always directly delivered opinion), way better than the SE5 that I had experienced. Smooth clutch take-up, easy low effort shifts. After 2ns gear, the clutch seem superfluous, and I only use it for a slight fear of harming the trans without.
This bike is SMOOTH! I find it odd all the postings that suggest this bike must be ran over 5000 rpms under slower riding. Mine is perfectly smooth and cooperative, even with large throttle openings, as long as I am above 3000 rpms, the rental was a vibration factory below 5500, which is completely different than this machine. For those with vibes over 3000rpm, there must be something wrong, because this is one smooth machine, even when short shifted. I think needlessly running over 5K rpm is a waste of fuel, will accelerate wear, and serves little purpose under normal conditions, just my opinion. Obviously for aggressive riding, 5000+ is where the action is, but I find that is only called for when in a hurry. On the rental high rpm shifting was necessary if I wanted to see anything in the mirrors.
So yesterday I did 200kms, (the fuel light came on at 190km/120 miles, so mileage looks quite promising!)and with the superior agility, and easier cornering, I had the nanny shut me down 5 times yesterday. 3 times when the tire spun and stepped out, twice while getting on the throttle while exiting a bend. I will say the nanny allowed me to get the from tires gently howling through a steady state cornering speed, and did not intervene that I could tell until I rolled on the throttle. A bit intrusive, but a little practice at being smooth should allow the 2 of us to get along. The lowish limits of the trike make it fun at normal speeds, but I might be frustrated if I was 18 and riding with the sportbike club I used to ride with. But I don't, and I am not, it is fun fun fun.
Overall, what a machine! I love riding it, and it still generates attention like a circus (which is not my thing, but whatever). The machine I got was black / magnesium, with a black HMF pipe added, and a new BRP backrest going on today. The OEM seat is also pretty bunk, I'm going to get a comfort seat this week. I had debated purchasing a Corbin, which the rental had, but I think it suits heavier people than my wife and I (190ish / 120ish).
This thing rocks, and I don't miss having a motorcycle AT ALL. Fun times ahead.:thumbup::thumbup:
Some observations of the rental. Lots of fun with! We did almost all top notch twisty roads, and what a fun machine. The power was fun, while being usable and not overwhelming. The bike we rented was from Rydeon Motorsports, in Sacramento. The big had a loud / booming Leo Vince exhaust system, which gave the bike a lot more character. I was genuinely surprised at the visceral / booming /engaging / torquey experience this machine exhibited. Lot's of backfiring in the over-run and while downshifting. The handling of the machine was quite poor initially, and lifting the inside tire at low speeds was surprisingly easy, which definitely limited my confidence initially. I think it was a combination of the springs all being set on soft, even though it had full Corbin luggage, a fairing, (which I thought looked AWEFUL, but I won't beat that horse) and 2 people on board. After I cranked the front springs full stiff, things were improved, but still a bit tippy. That said the nanny only kicked in a handful of times, a couple times when the inside tire lofted at around 45 mph after some sloppy throttle application out of a corner, so in other words, completely appropriate for the situation; cool. The limits seemed pretty low, but it was ton's of fun. Given the type of roads we were riding, dare I say, more fun that a bike? Fuel light came on pretty much every 90 miles, which was a bit silly as we always had a least a couple gallons left. The downshifting on this SM5 was very cool, loud barking of the exhaust was an attention getter. The upshifting was highly questionable, as there was rpm flare on engagement if I didn't let off the throttle. When I did let off, it felt like a well executed shift on a manual bike.
Trying to keep this short, fast forward a week, and we picked up a brand new RSS SM5 yesterday from the local dealer. They thought the unit had 3000kms, and discounted it $7400, only to discover on delivery day it was brand new. Props to them for respecting the deal! So for $13850.00 plus tax, we got a new bike, with 2 years warranty! This machine felt exactly as I had hoped. Far less tippy, more responsive, lighter steering. Stock exhaust is pretty weak, so I drove it 25 miles home, and slapped on a pre-bought HMF pipe. This bike sure liked to spin the rear tire on sloppy throttle application in the first 2 gears, dusty roads did not help. Shifting is smooth, and (in my always directly delivered opinion), way better than the SE5 that I had experienced. Smooth clutch take-up, easy low effort shifts. After 2ns gear, the clutch seem superfluous, and I only use it for a slight fear of harming the trans without.
This bike is SMOOTH! I find it odd all the postings that suggest this bike must be ran over 5000 rpms under slower riding. Mine is perfectly smooth and cooperative, even with large throttle openings, as long as I am above 3000 rpms, the rental was a vibration factory below 5500, which is completely different than this machine. For those with vibes over 3000rpm, there must be something wrong, because this is one smooth machine, even when short shifted. I think needlessly running over 5K rpm is a waste of fuel, will accelerate wear, and serves little purpose under normal conditions, just my opinion. Obviously for aggressive riding, 5000+ is where the action is, but I find that is only called for when in a hurry. On the rental high rpm shifting was necessary if I wanted to see anything in the mirrors.
So yesterday I did 200kms, (the fuel light came on at 190km/120 miles, so mileage looks quite promising!)and with the superior agility, and easier cornering, I had the nanny shut me down 5 times yesterday. 3 times when the tire spun and stepped out, twice while getting on the throttle while exiting a bend. I will say the nanny allowed me to get the from tires gently howling through a steady state cornering speed, and did not intervene that I could tell until I rolled on the throttle. A bit intrusive, but a little practice at being smooth should allow the 2 of us to get along. The lowish limits of the trike make it fun at normal speeds, but I might be frustrated if I was 18 and riding with the sportbike club I used to ride with. But I don't, and I am not, it is fun fun fun.
Overall, what a machine! I love riding it, and it still generates attention like a circus (which is not my thing, but whatever). The machine I got was black / magnesium, with a black HMF pipe added, and a new BRP backrest going on today. The OEM seat is also pretty bunk, I'm going to get a comfort seat this week. I had debated purchasing a Corbin, which the rental had, but I think it suits heavier people than my wife and I (190ish / 120ish).
This thing rocks, and I don't miss having a motorcycle AT ALL. Fun times ahead.:thumbup::thumbup:
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hyea::yes: How about a picture:thumbup:
