| The rotary style HESD steering damper worked a treat. Unobtrusive at low parking lot speeds, and at higher speeds a greater damping effect is experienced. I landed a bunch of ugly and crossed up wheelies on this bike, most at triple digit speeds, trusting the damper to get me out of jail free. It did every time. The unit is controlled by the RR's ECU, and it senses goofy-ness and deals with it appropriately. It is seamless in operation and just like your Mom and Dad, it's there offering a calming hand. I initially felt that it would be technology for technology sake - but I like toys just like the next guy, and as the horsepower to weight war continues, things like this help tame that power. |
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Lastly, the ergonomics on the Honda were pretty radical from the 954. The 954 is a limousine compared to this bike. For example the clip-ons are nearly two inches lower that we're used to, likewise the rearsets are up and back an inch apiece. The seat is canted forward but allows for plenty of movement under braking and side to side seat swapping. The Honda parts peeps also offer a good looking passenger seat cover if you're not into the two-up deal. |
| Obviously I had the chance to back-to-back the CBR1 with the ZX10R but it was tougher than I thought. Different tracks and different tires all conspired against me in forming a comparison. Sure the CBR had the stability, but I felt faster on the ZXR. However, past experience has shown that sometimes what feels slow, was actually fast and vice versa. That 21.5lb difference between the two is pretty big, it'll be interesting to see them both on neutral scales |
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It was good that we had a chance
to experience the Honda on both street and race tires and I can't help feel
that 75% of street riders will go faster on the calmer feeling CBR in most
situations, a typical Honda really. But for the other 25% that skinny ZX-10R is still looking very good. |
MikeE