The GS500 was pretty much the extent of my sport riding experience when a friend and I decided to attend the CA Superbike School. I was apprehensive about renting the S1000rr that the school offers seeing as it's a huge step up from the GS500. My friend had already attended and convinced me to give it a shot. So I said what the heck...it's an instructional school, a closed track, the bike is properly setup, I don't have an ego, and it's chock full of electronic rider aids. After much anticipation, the day finally came. After all the formalities were out of the way, it was time.
As I approach this cruise missle I am about to be riding I let out a deep breath and began to mentally prepare for my plunge into the unknown. I feel confident but can't help feeling a little nervous. This bike might as well be a legend to me. As I mount the bike I immediately notice how light and small it appears compared to my GS. The riding position felt a little foreign, but wasn't too crazy. With a quick push of the button the engine immediately starts without any drama. It's quiet and there's very little vibration compared to the GS. The bike easily putts over to the starting line. With the anticipation of a kid on Christmas, I verify my name and that the bike is in rain mode to the instructor and slowly pull out onto the track. I do a few slow and easy laps to get a feel for everything. First impression at this point is that it's easy to ride, very little drama but it just doesn't feel quite right...yet...
As the day progresses and the instructor refines my technique the S1000rr chuckles. If it could speak I would imagine it would say "your holding me back!" After correcting the issues I was having with my technique I begin to get a sense of the astronomical performance the bike has. Towards the end of the day I thought it was time to put it into sport mode. As I come out of the corner onto the main straight I roll on the throttle until it is pinned. The acceleration that it offers is mind bending. At about 9k rpm I decide to roll off the throttle for now because I was starting to get tunnel vision. Taking corners and practicing the skills I was taught was an absolute blast. When you find the groove with this in the turns its like nothing else. It inspired so much confidence.
Scary? Frightening? Insane?
Surprisingly, no. At no time did it feel out of control or twitchy. It was fast, but only when I asked it to be. As the day drew to a close my pace consistently increased without ever feeling I was going beyond my capabilities.
The school was immensely helpful. The bike was immensely fun. I will be going back.
One of the best days I've ever had.
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l169/jakeoster/1A0B0B3D-935C-425C-9407-9E93671241B4_zpsbadqdtky.jpg) (http://s96.photobucket.com/user/jakeoster/media/1A0B0B3D-935C-425C-9407-9E93671241B4_zpsbadqdtky.jpg.html)
As an aside: Is this for everyone? No. Am I saying everyone should do this? No. Is the bike some insane machine that will put you on your butt? Yes and no. If you do the training and apply what you learn, don't disable traction control, and don't have a huge ego I would say no. If you just went out and bought one and did nothing else...probably.
Much has been written on the nature of the liter bike. Make your own decisions, I'm just sharing my first hand experience.
Thank you for sharing. Useful and well written.