I have to say I felt like a kid in a giant candy store  :mrgreen:

I saw the new GS but didn't take any pics.  The first thing I thought when I saw it, was 'the rear tire looks funny'.  Its the same size its always been but seems miniture with the wide tail.  Still the same GS :shrug

I think the bikes I was most excited to see were the ZX-10R, Thruxton, FZ6 and R1

The ZX-10R was so freaking awesome I can't believe it.  It was pretty comfortable to sit on (much better than the 636), felt ultra light, and was absolutely bad ass.  Easily my favorite bike at the show that I sat on.

The Thruxton is cool but was a little disappointing IMO.  At first glance it looked a little budget but its got some potential.  I was already thinking of immediate cosmetic mods for it.  Chrome fenders, the stock ones are silver painted (almost looks like silver powder coat)

I knew the FZ6 with the fairing would be a tough sell for my tastes.  I really like the bike and seating position but I hate the fairing.  They need to make the headlight available even if its a dealer option or something.  The side profile of it wasn't bad but looking straight on the fairing looks too wide.  If it had a headlight, I'd already have a deposit down.

The R1 had a big crowd around it the whole time and it was there for a reason.  The R1 kicks ass and the new dark metallic red paint is amazing in person.  Everything about it screams R1 so I almost don't think it looks all the different in person.  Maybe the similarities to the R6 influenced my less than enthusiastic reponse.

The new CBR1000RR looks just like the 600RR... whoopty-freakin-do  

The 599 is actually really cool in person and you will all love the headlight.  Its a dual bulb setup in the single 7" housing.  Very trick.  As expected, the suspension felt soft and squishy.  Overall its a disappointment because of its rediculous $7099 price tag.

In my eyes, the Speed 4, SuperHawk, Interceptor, and ZX-10R (if I really want to die fast) are leaders of the pack.  The S4 and Hawk were very comfortable yet still sporty in position.  I sat on a Falco and was let down by the comfort because its a sweet bike.  The Interceptor is just a great do-it-all bike.  The ZX-10R, as said before, is insane and felt comfortable to sit on for me.  I'll buy the kwak when I really have a death wish  :mrgreen:

I took 86 pics with my digital camera and maybe 15 came out clear.  The flash screws up the pic and when the flash is off, its all blury.  Thanks a lot digital camera  

It was cool briefly meeting Manjul and I've met Tim a few times before so it was a cool reunion.  Sorry we didn't stick around to chat but we had only been there a few minutes before I saw you.  If you couldn't tell by the big grin on my face, I wanted to see everything right now lol.  I hope you guys didn't ride because it was dumping rain when we showed up.

One last thing, the Faster movie screening was utter BS.  They wanted $15 to watch the movie.  F*** THAT.  I'll buy the DVD for 20 bucks when its released.  I'll hold my tongue about the Faster 'girl' they had at the booth    :mrgreen:

good post

im yet to see how my pics come out.

Anyway I think the R1 looked sweet. The 599 I actually liked despite the soft suspension, but its very comfy and as you said only if the price was lower. In general it was rather dull, they were a few bikes worth noting the but I think what takes the cake is the number of sports scooters at teh show.

Tim and I were scoping out the sports scooters. I think we will still take teh HOnda Silverwing over the close rival Suzuki Bergman 650 (neat up and down gearshfting thing on the automatic vbelt system - plus a special power button for passing). The aprilia atlantis 500 was cute, and actally liked it, but its yet to show up on the floors. The Aprilia Scabero 500 was UGLY, it folllows the 150 cc model in design, but it just doesnt work because now its a bigger bike. Yes it has the romantic sultry italian curves on it but it just does not do it for the bigger version. Its ugly.

more later when i can think.. im off to bed now.

It was good to see you there, too, Andy! Glad you had a good time, I could tell you were on a mission    :mrgreen: . It was also great to meet rjsjr and his friend (sorry, fergot his name ), kristen, and  The_good_guy. See our review of the GS stickied in General Discussion.

Being that small-bore motorcycles are about as expensive as the full-size scooters that we are begining to see, I'm more tempted to buy the Honda scoot and ride it in the rain while wearing an open-faced dirtbike helmet with the bill and a pair of plate glass WWI fighter pilot goggles to get even more strange looks.

yeah the ww1 goggles and the open face helmet would look interesting, especially if you use them on the gs? :mrgreen:    :nana:  

Just got back from the show today (Sunday).
I have mixed emotions about the new GS.
I did notice how the tires look pretty skinny. Compound seams to be soft for good grip though.
Tried taking pictures of the oil cooler connections, but they were too dark to see anything. Flash wasn't working on the closeup setting apparently.
The oil lines go into a new oil pan on the bottom of the motor. Not sure what is changed internally. Might just be in the oil pan.
Another new thing is a electric choke connection on one carb. It still has the choke lever on the bars, so I'm not sure how it works. But it might be a fix for cold bloodedness by Suzuki.
As for appearence, It's hard to say. I would like to see the mirrors fit a little bit tighter. They seem to really stick out.
I didn't go around sitting on all the bikes. Just the R1. I like it.
I didn't even notice the Honda 1000. Shows how much I was paying attention.
One bike I really loved was the Honda RUNE. WOW! You wouldn't see one of those on every corner on a ride, that's for sure.

I mainly spent time talking with friends at different booths.
The Club Desmo booth was right next to the FASTER booth.
Had plenty of time to check out the girl there. I thought she looked damn good in those stretch pants   When she found out I won the 500 twins championship, she was real friendly. Ahh racer groupies, you gotta lovem.
Especially at my age  :lol:

Quote from: Bob BroussardAnother new thing is a electric choke connection on one carb. It still has the choke lever on the bars, so I'm not sure how it works. But it might be a fix for cold bloodedness by Suzuki.
I won the 500 twins championship

When you actuated the choke lever did something move on the carb? That's something that The_good_guy and I didn't do when we inspected the GS. We thought it was a throttle position sensor of some sort. Did you ask one of the Suzuki reps? Is that how you found out that it was an electric choke?

And Congradulations on the 500 Twins Championship!