i rode a '98 cbr 900 rr (advertised on bikepoint i think: 40000klm, black/grey, $7000, gold coast) 2 days ago.
the steering was quite light (16" front wheel) - but not massively confidence inspiring.
the engine was very smooth & inoffensive.
the footpegs seemed too far forward & handlebars too high.
felt like i was sitting 'on' it, not 'in' it.
overall impression of honda's former flagship... nice.
too nice. really sorta bland. trying too hard to be everyone's friend.
the labrador of motorcycles.
dunno 'bout you, but i don't want a nice m/cycle.
want something that i'm passionate about.
KHI seem to understand this instinctively, implicitly.
more often than not, kwaka owners are pretty enthusiastic/intense about their bikes.
when i hopped back on my zx7r, the riding position was more full on & demanding.
the engine was more conspicuous & felt aggressive & unruly.
steering: well, way heavier and correspondingly way more tactile.
perfection!
suspicions confirmed: KHI engineers really know their "poo poo".
cheers.
