Hello;
I had the opportuninty at White's Harley in Pa., to ride the RX Saturday. One word.....WOW! Now....if you're on an XB....this is a whole different animal engine wise. (Obviously...I know!). But saying that, it is incredible. It doesn't have that super low end , off idle torque the air-cooled engines do....(I stalled it twice until I got the 'feel' for it!), but after that, it is very ridable. Like Dean said....it is a bit 'thrashy' or 'rough' in the lower RPM ranges at a cruise. But with an engine making substantcially more than 2 HP per cubic inch, I guess it is to be expected. Unlike a GSXR / R1 where all the power seems to be within this 1000 RPM 'spike', this thing is SO linear in power delivery. And....just like everyone else, the exhaust DOES seem like an afterthought in person. (Doesn't sound all that bad for stock EPA stuff though!). Steering and handling is spot on....very light feel to it....almost intuitive. Brakes? Well....IMO nothing had changed much! With only 100 miles on it, it STILL has a slight shudder to it. THAT disappointed me some. All in all, I, personally always thought the XB brakes were decent, EXCEPT for the well known shudder. For a 'sportbike' riding position, I didn't fint it TOO uncomfortable for my 5'-11", 175 lb. frame. (I was ACTUALLY surprised!). Clutch is AWESOME! Nice pull, a bit 'aggressive' on engagement perhaps, but the slipper on downshifts is SO nice! I am used to old school "in-or-out" clutches...so this was a real treat! I ride my friend's R1 (2012 cross-plane)...it has a slipper clutch too, but doesn't have the 'feel' this thing does. IF I were independently wealthy, I WOULD have bought it home with me for sure! But...for now, I am doing the 'wise' thing....Pay off my Jeep, wait to see the SX (Which is what I have now...that style is where my heart AND back is at!), let them get some 'bugs' out like ANY new bike has, THEN I may consider a purchase for sure! Nice work Erik! Good Luck!!
I had the opportuninty at White's Harley in Pa., to ride the RX Saturday. One word.....WOW! Now....if you're on an XB....this is a whole different animal engine wise. (Obviously...I know!). But saying that, it is incredible. It doesn't have that super low end , off idle torque the air-cooled engines do....(I stalled it twice until I got the 'feel' for it!), but after that, it is very ridable. Like Dean said....it is a bit 'thrashy' or 'rough' in the lower RPM ranges at a cruise. But with an engine making substantcially more than 2 HP per cubic inch, I guess it is to be expected. Unlike a GSXR / R1 where all the power seems to be within this 1000 RPM 'spike', this thing is SO linear in power delivery. And....just like everyone else, the exhaust DOES seem like an afterthought in person. (Doesn't sound all that bad for stock EPA stuff though!). Steering and handling is spot on....very light feel to it....almost intuitive. Brakes? Well....IMO nothing had changed much! With only 100 miles on it, it STILL has a slight shudder to it. THAT disappointed me some. All in all, I, personally always thought the XB brakes were decent, EXCEPT for the well known shudder. For a 'sportbike' riding position, I didn't fint it TOO uncomfortable for my 5'-11", 175 lb. frame. (I was ACTUALLY surprised!). Clutch is AWESOME! Nice pull, a bit 'aggressive' on engagement perhaps, but the slipper on downshifts is SO nice! I am used to old school "in-or-out" clutches...so this was a real treat! I ride my friend's R1 (2012 cross-plane)...it has a slipper clutch too, but doesn't have the 'feel' this thing does. IF I were independently wealthy, I WOULD have bought it home with me for sure! But...for now, I am doing the 'wise' thing....Pay off my Jeep, wait to see the SX (Which is what I have now...that style is where my heart AND back is at!), let them get some 'bugs' out like ANY new bike has, THEN I may consider a purchase for sure! Nice work Erik! Good Luck!!
