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Senior Member
Supersport 600 Favourite Bike: 2009 Sprint ABS Graphite
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Northern Alabama
Posts: 158
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T-Bird: Test Ride Today
Background:
I have a 2009 Sprint ABS which I just purchased June 2009 (currently for sale @ $9400). I noticed shortly after each time I rode the Sprint, I would experience neck, back, and arm pain. I thought I just needed to get used to the semi-aggressive riding position. About a month ago, I woke up in a lot of pain. There was clearly something more seriously wrong with my neck, back, and arm then I had originally thought. Anyway, I am going for a MRI Monday, so I will see what is what then. Because of this, I have decided to sell the Sprint, and find a new bike. Something more comfortable, but not lacking in the performance dept. I considered the Tiger, but I cant seem to become drawn to it, no matter how much I try to talk myself into it. Im also considering a Bonnie T-100(which i would heavily mod), and will go back next weekend and test ride it. (the dealer didn't have one serviced and ready).
Enter the Thunderbird:
So, im walking around the dealership like a kid in a candy store, drooling all over myself, and being drawn to all the nice shiny new motorcycles like a moth to a light. I kept walking by a Blue with white striped Thunderbird (non ABS) and a Silver and black striped Thunderbird (ABS). I went back to the blue one, and sat on it. I looked over towards the desk of the sales person I deal with (its a small shop, her dad owns it, these are GOOD PEOPLE) and asked, is this one serviced? She said with a big grin, "yup, wanna take it out?" (She knows im not a tire kicker, and that I will buy something again) I responded, "yes, if its ok." She said sure, and then her dad came out of the office, grabbed the key, and rolled it outside. I filled out the obligatory form, if i crash it, i own it, etc, etc. He then fired it up, looked at me and asked, "have any questions?" I said, "no, im ok." He then said, "its has a 1/4 tank of gas, have fun."
The Ride:
I walked up to the bike, and it was thumping away. I threw a leg over, and climbed on. Looked over the instruments, horn, turn signal, light switch, ect. Pulled the clutch in a time or two, pulled on the brake, just to get a feel, and then I was ready to see what the hype was all about; what can this bike do? I pulled in the clutch, which I must say, seemed a little far to reach for my medium sized hands/fingers. I figured, if thats the worst of it, ok. I engaged 1st gear, let the clutch out a bit, and gave her some gas...She rolled forward, nice and smoothly. Stopped at the end of the parking lot, checked for traffic, and turned on to a service rd. Its more of a back rd since the dealership is located in some what of a rural town. So I had a bit of a straight away as i pulled onto the street, and although I didnt open it up (not my bike, brand new, and not broken in), I did move out forcefully.
Actualy, thats a good way to describe the acceleration: forceful. It moves out with authority, and you can tell this bike wants to run, big time. The torque is staggering, truly. I could tell this by simply pulling out of the parking lot and accelerating down the road for 50 feet or so. Only made it into third gear, as I just wanted to get a feel for the clutch/shift action of the bike (Remember, im coming off a Sprint). Ok, so after a slight bend in the rd, which gave me a first glimpse of the T-Birds balance and center of gravity, which was excellent, I came to the "main street." I took an extra look both ways, since im not completely comfortable with the bike yet, and i see an open rd in both directions. So I turn right, and move on down the road. I worked through the gears, 1....2... "damn this thing pulls" 3...."holy sh** this thing has torque"....4...5 "I wonder what interest rate I can get on a 60 month loan"....6..."why the hell am i in 6th gear?" I look down at the speedo, whoa....better slow it down. The bike "jumps" and moves up to speed quickly...and more importantly, smoothly.
I continued on my ride, making turns here and there, getting a feel for the handlebar position, foot pegs, seat, etc. I quickly became very comfortable with the bike, and confident in its abilities. It handled well, and braked well also. Within about 15 minutes, I was riding it as if Ive been on it for hours. It felt good, almost familiar. Everything felt like it was in the right place, except that damn clutch lever was too far out (my hand was sore in the first few minutes), and the handlebar was a tad low, and a tad too forward for my taste. With that said it was not uncomfortable, and the bike fit my 6' 200lb frame nicely, but if we are talking about having the perfect seating position, I would need risers.
This was one of the first test rides where I didnt want to bring the bike back. I always felt a little awkward on a bike during test ride, but not this time. The Thunderbird makes you feel confident right away. So, I turned around, and found my way back to the dealership. I pulled back in, and parked it near the front door. I got off, and just stared at it, ...it seemed like it was staring back...almost as if to say, ""if you thought that was impressive, just wait until im broken in." I thought in my mind, ..."dont worry, you will have your chance, and i will hold you to that."
Conclusion:
I walked back into the dealership, and I handed the keys to the owner, and he smiled, 'so what do you think?" I responded, " Wow, have you ridden that bike?" He just looked at me, and I quickly realized that was a stupid question, and finished it with, "im sure you have." I think i was still on my adrenaline high....anyway....I told him I was very impressed, and loved the Torque. I said I will be back next weekend to ride the Bonnie. He raised an eyebrow, and said "you realize its not going to be the same?" I said, yes, i know, but i understand they are a blast to ride, and want to see for myself before I decide on which bike. He agreed, and said no problem and they would have the bonnie ready for next weekend....I walked out and headed past the T-Bird towards my car. Just stopped and played back the ride in my mind. I thought, "I wonder if he will let me take it back out?"..Nah....Ive seen enough.
Bottom line: I liked, a lot.
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Last edited by Leonidas; 02-14-2010 at 09:34 AM.
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This is exactly what I did after my test ride. I got off the bike, had this stupid grin on my face which I could not stop and kept starring the Bird for a longer while. I decided to play it cool when it was time to return the keys but who was I kidding; I was like a kid on christmas morning smiling ja yelling "santa's here, santa's here!". So I saw it at my dealers face that he had hooked another solid buyer.
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