Shes been trapped in the garage for a couple weeks now after we took delivery while I jumped through the hoops for the state of Texas. Which included a 2 wheel safety course that taught me a bunch of stuff about friction zones and such thatI will not be using any more. But I learned a lot and enjoyed trying something new. After taking the written test at DPS, and waiting for the wife to finish work, we hit the road on the Blue Bug for a short shake down cruise.
We travelled up the back roads to a small town I used to drive through on the way to work when I was working nearly in the next state.
Here is the Blue Bug at our desitnation... Nevada... no, the other one in Texas.
mini review from a newb:
on smooth roads, the 2012 RTS feels almost like sitting on your couch. On bumpy roads, like riding a horse. I little pressure on the stirrups, and you dont feel anything. At 65 on a two lane road, watch the speedo, as you wont feel the bug creeping up to speeding ticket range. You will hear it in my cheapo BRP ST-3 helmets though, they are loud, and not smooth sailing in the wind. (already bought shoeis, but wanted to try these out since it was hot). Radio sucks, need my bluetooth headsets, just need to go pick them up. Cornering at speed took me a little time to get used to, but you dont have to lean as much as I thought I did. Power range is as described in other threads. I kept RPMS above 4k as much as possible, and downshifting, pretty much eliminated the need for brakes until second gear really. Above 4500, a quick twist of the wrist and you are feeling some g's, below 4.1k, acceleration feels bogged down. Around 55+ I start to feel a lot more vibration especially after shifting to 5th where its still in the low 4k rpm range. Not sure if this is normal and if 5th gear should not be used until 4th is about 5.5k. I think that would be shifting to 5th at about 60mph but rpms would already be above 4200 but dont quote me on it. May just be my imagination.
After returning home, my daughter wanted to go out, so took the same route. On this trip, I began to notice things again, not as concerned about how the bug was performing. As a result, the sky was changing colors, and I saw something down a road in this town I have driven through about 20 times. I had to investigate, and was surprised to see a park, a very photographic church, and an interesting house covered in metal signs. Never saw ANY of this from my truck...
I think I have a Spyder Bite...
Ready to go again now... So are my wife and daughter...
hyea:
:thumbup:
