First, I want to thank SwampFox Motorsports of Bluefield VA for putting up with us asking questions and kicking tires for close to a year.
Assuming we follow through with a purchase, this is to get my wife off of the pillion. And, this gets her hat box, make-up kit, three pairs of shoes, extra cuddle duds, dinner suit, etc......etc......out and off of my panniers. We have waited with much anticipation for the RT release,
yesterday was not a let down.
Please take this for what it is, MY view of HER getting a new ride. We tour, we tour two-up on a loaded pig of a motorcycle. I failed to mention my fifteen pound tool kit, the netbook, a tent, a cook stove, gps, etc....etc. We typically take two, one week long trips per year with a few three and four day weekends scattered in.
So, a brand new RT-S SM5 that we helt, felt, and smelt. Hmmm, a clutch lever, I was kinda leaning SE. We'll see how she does with that. Baggage, lots of baggage, but I just couldn't figure out where she is going to tie the tent on. I know what you are thinking, trailer, but I think we should resist. Truth be known, if I had my way, she'd be pulling a pop-up complete with a mini bar.
Martha got the first spin, of course. I'll let her elaborate on that, but she looked good wearing a Spyder, and the Spyder looked good wearing her. The manual tranny was a non-issue, sheeew, that's a relief.
Now, I get my chance at this strange piece of engineering. 6' with a 32" inseam, and I enjoy a tall motorcycle. I feel a little cramped when I first take a seat, but I can get to all of the controls. Fat grips, how in the world did Martha get her fingers around these things? After the walk through on the controls, I get clearance for a taxi run through the lot. A little fuel, clutch out easy, and we're rollin'. Nice feel, an electric sort of feel, and not just the fly by wire throttle. The clutch take was smooth, and there was no lurch from the mill on the low end. A right hander around the car wash and I return to the staging area with a thumbs up that I am prepared for take-off.
I get a few minutes of four lane. Up through the gears, a little clunky, that could have something to do with these size twelve Alpine Stars that I have at the bottom of my legs. Not bad, I don't feel like I am going to miss anything. She's got a nice smooth pull, I don't want to twist too hard. It's a borrowed machine with only 150 miles on it, show a little respect. The track weave starts at about 40 mph, I had been warned of this one. On up to double nickle and I get to relax finally, shield up, nice day, and the twisties are comin' in just a few minutes.
Intothetwisties, I find the turn signal without looking, back off the fuel some, drop a couple of cogs, and touch a little bit of brake. Loud brake servos, not obnoxious, but loud. A right hander off of the four lane, and we head into heaven. Rolling hills, sweepers, off cambers, and some square turns that give me a chance to scrub the tires just a little. Twitchy at first, but I realize that is me, you just have to think it and the machine reacts. Balanced, I don't feel a push or any looseness. An SUV complete with a cell phone operator darts from an intersection, of course I make a right hand grab at the same time the Alpine Star finds the peddle. Again, smooth decel with no wander or appreciative dive.
After about fifteen minutes of heaven, it's back on the slab. I crank her on up to 65 for a moment, things smooth out a little more. With the shield up, I get no buffeting, shield down and I can see over it but can't take the turbulence.
The landing is uneventful, pull in, push the park button, and power down.
Nice machine, you just may have to leave some prejudice and preconceived notions behind before you grab the bars. This forum has helped me on that particular note. The stability control system is obviously a must. This machine, unbridled, would be of let's say, an extreme detriment to those of less than prudent decisions.