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Author Topic: Test rode a '12  (Read 3969 times)

Offline Conrad

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Test rode a '12
« on: March 28, 2012, 01:27:20 PM »
Nothing in depth here just my initial impressions of the bike.

I dropped my '08 off at the dealer to have the TPMs replaced, front and rear, under warranty. The head tech rides a '12 C14 and he tossed me the FOB and said come back in about two hours.

If you insist...

The bike only had 250 miles on it, so I didn't flog it AT ALL. (just in case you're reading this Jason  lol) Plus it was black and so much slower than my Silverdammit. I did take it out to some nice twisties though.

First the things that I liked better than my '08.

The relocated mirrors.
The windshield vents to reduce back pressure.
The mode switch to change the display without taking your hand from the grip.
Thermometer.
Black wheels and grab bars.
The lockable glove box.

Now the things that I didn't like as compared to my '08.

Linked brakes, hated em in fact. (I guess I could get used to them if I had to)
The seat.
The color, black shows EVERYTHING and it slows the bike down significantly.
The tires. Well, the front tire at least. At first I couldn't figure out where all that noise was coming from up front. Then I realized that it was the front tire making all that racket! That has to be the loudest MC street tire I've ever heard.
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Northern Illinois   Silverdammit '08 C-14 ABS

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Offline Rhino

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2012, 01:43:58 PM »
"The Seat"  Hadn't realized they had changed the seat or are you comparing it to your after market seat?
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2012, 01:51:44 PM »
Quote from: Rhino on March 28, 2012, 01:43:58 PM
"The Seat"  Hadn't realized they had changed the seat or are you comparing it to your after market seat?

I have the Kawasaki low gel seat and I really like it. The seat on the '12 was way too soft for me, it is different than the stock '08 seat. Plus I could really feel the difference in height. Of course that's an easy fix.
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Northern Illinois   Silverdammit '08 C-14 ABS

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Offline gPink

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2012, 01:54:38 PM »
Are they still running the same 'stones for oem tires? And what did you do with your rear? (tire)
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2012, 02:19:37 PM »
Quote from: gPink on March 28, 2012, 01:54:38 PM
Are they still running the same 'stones for oem tires? And what did you do with your rear? (tire)

I didn't look at the sidewall but I thought that Kaw went with a slightly different tire?

After talking with the tech I kept the rear tire. I can still get a few more miles out of it. Jason said that because of liabilty issues they can't patch street tires. He said to keep it under 100 and it'll be fine.

Um, I didn't listen and I'm still fine. I had to make sure that I didn't have any vibes at high speed after the re-balance didn't I?
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Northern Illinois   Silverdammit '08 C-14 ABS

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Offline con05

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2012, 02:21:42 PM »
You should try it when it is 90 degrees out.  Had the 08 and now have an 11.  Changes are subtle but worth it. 
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Offline ZG

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2012, 04:02:54 PM »
I wish you would have taken some pics to post of you on that BLACK beauty C!  8)
 
I bet you got alot more looks from the ladies riding that around then you're use to huh, you're probably just use to having the BMW guys checking you out when you ride your silverdammit eh...  ;) 
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Offline jimmymac

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2012, 04:21:51 PM »
Tossed you the keys to his bike with 250 miles? :o


He must know how slow you ride. ;D

I wouldn't give that chance to anyone. I guess I'm selfish.

You have to be pretty tight with me to just trade bikes for a spell. It's like borrowing my Wife.

Maybe you were looking over his shoulder and driving him crazy. :)
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Offline ZG

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #8 on: March 28, 2012, 04:37:11 PM »
Quote from: jimmymac on March 28, 2012, 04:21:51 PM

You have to be pretty tight with me to just trade bikes for a spell. It's like borrowing my Wife.


Any pics JM? ;)
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Breaker19

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #9 on: March 28, 2012, 04:40:37 PM »
Quote from: ZG on March 28, 2012, 04:02:54 PM
I wish you would have taken some pics to post of you on that BLACK beauty C!  8)
 
I bet you got alot more looks from the ladies riding that around then you're use to huh, you're probably just use to having the BMW guys checking you out when you ride your silverdammit eh...  ;)

Z, I'm riding a 12, you want me to post pics tomorrow? (I'm at work until 0800)...
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Breaker19

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #10 on: March 28, 2012, 04:44:46 PM »
And yea, my front tire is noisy also, mostly noticeable at slower speeds, I can pretty much guarantee it's the tire, creating a harmonic due to the tread, size, mass, etc. I'm not terribly concerned at all, many MC tires create this kind of noise. Lean into a turn and the noise dissipates significantly.
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Offline ZG

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2012, 04:46:43 PM »
Quote from: Breaker19 on March 28, 2012, 04:40:37 PM
Z, I'm riding a 12, you want me to post pics tomorrow? (I'm at work until 0800)...

As much as I do like your pics so far B the point was to see C on a black bike as he is so in love with his silverdammit and always bashes the black ones...
 
Thanks anyway though bro!  :chugbeer:
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2012, 04:48:33 PM »
Quote from: ZG on March 28, 2012, 04:46:43 PM

As much as I do like your pics so far B the point was to see C on a black bike as he is so in love with his silverdammit and always bashes the black ones...
 
Thanks anyway though bro!  :chugbeer:

And there's really nothing wrong with that....  :)
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Offline ZG

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2012, 04:53:59 PM »
Quote from: VirginiaJim on March 28, 2012, 04:48:33 PM
And there's really nothing wrong with that....  :)

Says another silverdammit owner...  :)   :grouphug:
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Breaker19

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #14 on: March 28, 2012, 05:40:23 PM »
Quote from: ZG on March 28, 2012, 04:46:43 PM

As much as I do like your pics so far B the point was to see C on a black bike as he is so in love with his silverdammit and always bashes the black ones...
 
Thanks anyway though bro!  :chugbeer:

Gotcha.  ;D
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Offline jimmymac

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #15 on: March 28, 2012, 05:46:13 PM »
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Offline Rhino

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #16 on: March 28, 2012, 11:38:29 PM »
I bought a Blue 2010 a couple of years ago, should I have gotten the Bluedammit instead of the blue?
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #17 on: March 29, 2012, 04:34:58 AM »
Quote from: ZG on March 28, 2012, 04:02:54 PM
I wish you would have taken some pics to post of you on that BLACK beauty C!  8)
 
I bet you got alot more looks from the ladies riding that around then you're use to huh, you're probably just use to having the BMW guys checking you out when you ride your silverdammit eh...  ;)

J, I'm so used to getting looks from the ladies that who would notice if I got more riding such a slow bike?  ;)
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #18 on: March 29, 2012, 04:39:37 AM »
Quote from: jimmymac on March 28, 2012, 04:21:51 PM
Tossed you the keys to his bike with 250 miles? :o


He must know how slow you ride. ;D

I wouldn't give that chance to anyone. I guess I'm selfish.

You have to be pretty tight with me to just trade bikes for a spell. It's like borrowing my Wife.

Maybe you were looking over his shoulder and driving him crazy. :)

He recognized a skilled rider man!

Really? What's your wife look like?    8)

Nope, didn't drive him crazy at all. I rode my bike into the garage there and set it on the kick stand, then he tossed me the fob and said two hours.
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Northern Illinois   Silverdammit '08 C-14 ABS

"Don't bother me with facts, Son. I've already made up my mind." -Foghorn Leghorn

Offline Conrad

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Re: Test rode a '12
« Reply #19 on: March 29, 2012, 04:42:41 AM »
Quote from: Breaker19 on March 28, 2012, 04:44:46 PM
And yea, my front tire is noisy also, mostly noticeable at slower speeds, I can pretty much guarantee it's the tire, creating a harmonic due to the tread, size, mass, etc. I'm not terribly concerned at all, many MC tires create this kind of noise. Lean into a turn and the noise dissipates significantly.

You're right, once I got out of town and hit the twisties, I didn't notice the tire noise at all.
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Northern Illinois   Silverdammit '08 C-14 ABS

"Don't bother me with facts, Son. I've already made up my mind." -Foghorn Leghorn
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