Anyone in the Ft. Worth area - Eurosport Cycle (121 @ Riverside) is doing demo rides today from noon until 4:00pm. I don't know what kind of bikes they will have to ride, but if I had to guess a Tuono and a Duc of some sort will be two of them. BTW - if anyone off of this group reads this and goes up there, you are automatically moved BEHIND me in line to ride! --Fullstate
I stopped by the shop early last week and talked with Tony. He was going to have several of the most popular models for group demos. Told him I'd like a demo on the Factory. Right! But just couldn't fit it in today ... and so it goes. Damn. Spent time talking with him about the '04 Mille R ... kind of a dumb down version of the real R! But he does have several '03 R's on the floor that still look sweet. A great shop where you still get great service and more than the time of day.
Yup! I was ribbing them about not having a Mile' available for a test ride. They did have a Tuono, though. I didn't get to ride it, but Bling! did. He had trouble keeping the front wheel on the ground. I rode a Ducati Multistrada, that I really didn't like....and a ST4. If someone was looking for a sport touring bike, I would have them check it out. It was much more aggressive than the Multistrada, smooth throttle response and still a bit of sporting feel about it. Not too umcomfy, though. One thing I noticed about both bikes, I seemed to be unable to adjust the mirrors. I couldn't figure them out. The oddest ones were on the ST4. I'd move them, and then they would "spring" back into place. Go figure? Bling! also rode a Monster750 that he said he really enjoyed. All in all, it was a really nice day. Good people, good machines, good conversation. You don't get to ride other people's bikes too often, much less two or three in one day. Got to take advantage of it when you can. --Fullstate
I've not found the secret to the "popularity" of the Multistrada. It just looks butt ugly to me and doesn't seem to have many redeeming features. While I certainly appreciate most Ducs and lust after any of the SPS, S, or R model superbikes, I've not gotten use to the dry clutch or frequent need for valve adjustments. However, should I ever win the lotto, I will just learn to live with those shortcomings. Since I sold my '95 VFR a few months ago, I've been thinking that a Sport-Tourer should be my next bike. But then I look at those '01-03 Mille R's and I get weak in my knees. With so many great bikes, it's hard to make a decision. So the struggle continues. Ex-Viffer
It would be hard for me to buy an '03 Mile' R, when the current '04 Mile R's are pretty sweet. Lots of good improvements on the bike. I still got mah Falco and I still love it, so no trading up for now. --Fullstate
Fullstate ... You know that the '04 Mille R does not have the Ohlin suspension, OZ wheels, etc like the the '03 R? The new Mille R replaces the regular Mille and the Factory replaces the R. Tiz why is said I'd like the '03 R for the price of the '04 Mille standard.
Yes! I am aware they changed the nomenclature on the bikes. I still like some of the redesign though, and was just saying that I'd settle for a '04 Mille R. I realize the equivalent comparison would be the Mile Factory, but that puppy is $18k new. I don't know what the '03 R's are going for right now, used.....the new ones were marked down into the $14K range (not the Edwards Replica). --Fullstate
