There was a demo day in town and I went down to ride a few bikes. #1 on the list was the Speed because I wanted to compare it to my own '12. It was even red like mine.
Verdict? I like it. Immediately upon moving it was obvious that the handling was lighter and quicker. The bike felt lighter. I'd have to research to find if it really is.
The engine revved much quicker, I thought, and it felt smoother. To use a term that isn't a compliment for a Honda, it almost felt sewing-machine like. I might not have liked it as much had it had the stock exhaust, but this bike was equipped with an Arrow slip-on with the baffles removed. These were the high pipes with a satin finish that had carbon fiber end caps. What a great sound. They had a good growl, but not so loud as to be obnoxious.
Upon the recommendation of the previous rider of this Speed, I put the mode in "TRACK" and left it there. IMO, it should never be set to anything else. It was a fairly short ride around back streets and I never got the opportunity to get it out of second gear.
I wanted to ride a Thruxton R, T120, and a KTM Adventure but I was too hot and uncomfortable to continue in the Savannah afternoon. My own helmet is with Arai having warranty work done so I borrowed a S&S XXL loaner from the shop. It was so narrow it folded my ears in half. No matter how many times I took it off and put it back on the same thing happened. I wear a Large in my Arai RX-Q, but a XXL in this would not fit. It was painful.
Anyway...I did get to ride what I was really interested in for comparisons sake. I liked it, but not to the extent that I'd take on a payment to replace my '12 Speed which has no payment.
Verdict? I like it. Immediately upon moving it was obvious that the handling was lighter and quicker. The bike felt lighter. I'd have to research to find if it really is.
The engine revved much quicker, I thought, and it felt smoother. To use a term that isn't a compliment for a Honda, it almost felt sewing-machine like. I might not have liked it as much had it had the stock exhaust, but this bike was equipped with an Arrow slip-on with the baffles removed. These were the high pipes with a satin finish that had carbon fiber end caps. What a great sound. They had a good growl, but not so loud as to be obnoxious.
Upon the recommendation of the previous rider of this Speed, I put the mode in "TRACK" and left it there. IMO, it should never be set to anything else. It was a fairly short ride around back streets and I never got the opportunity to get it out of second gear.
I wanted to ride a Thruxton R, T120, and a KTM Adventure but I was too hot and uncomfortable to continue in the Savannah afternoon. My own helmet is with Arai having warranty work done so I borrowed a S&S XXL loaner from the shop. It was so narrow it folded my ears in half. No matter how many times I took it off and put it back on the same thing happened. I wear a Large in my Arai RX-Q, but a XXL in this would not fit. It was painful.
Anyway...I did get to ride what I was really interested in for comparisons sake. I liked it, but not to the extent that I'd take on a payment to replace my '12 Speed which has no payment.