My decision to go to the AMA Superbike races at
Sears Point Infineon Raceway on Sunday was a last minute decision. After hearing KTM was offering demo rides and that the new Conc 14 was on display, I grabbed a discount ticket from a local dealer and went to the races with the intention of getting a demo ride, seeing the new Conc, check out some of the displays in the pits, then head off for a ride and be back home in time to watch the races on Speed.
I got more than I bargained for
I arrived at the track around 9am, parked the 'Strom and immediately called GTS_Rider, who was on site staying in a friends RV. I basically said get your butt in gear and meet me at the KTM trailer so we could grab an early demo. GTS graciously didn't tell me to f/o and met me at the trailer..I signed up for the new 990 Superduke, GTS grabbed a 950 Supermoto
At 10am, we head out into public for the aprox. 20 mile loop set-up. In my opinion, the new KTM V-twins are freakin awesome!! They just pull and pull, with a great edgy soundtrack ...I kept blipping the throttle at the stop signs ...vroom
So with that out of the way, I wander around the paddock a bit. I ran into Dogboy and a couple of Sac locals. Watch some of the teams in the pits. We chatted a bit with one of Chaz Davies mechanics. I go and sit on the new Conc...a couple of times
I swear, Kawasaki must have taken my ergonomic measurements in my sleep, the bike fit me perfect, and to my eyes is stunning in person. And this is where the unexpected just ...happens
So IMMOB on the Conc14, I think for third or fourth time, and a lady wearing a green Kawasaki shirt, I'll call her Jan, comes up to me and asks what I think. I of course tell I'm very excited about the bike and how, in my eyes, that it appears that Kawasaki has finally added that "edge" to a sport-touring bike, the likes of the FJR, ST13 and BMW have lacked, in my opinion. We briefly talk some more, she appologizes for the delays; confirms that Kawasaki is trying really hard to make the bike
right before putting it on the market, and says to me, "If I can get you a test ride on a ZX14, would you go right now?"
YES, says I.
She takes me to the Kaw media truck, where they have all press bikes stored for when the media will take over on Monday, and yells to one of the handlers, "I have a VIP here, and he wants to ride a ZX14". Immediately, a gentleman goes into the truck, produces a waiver and verifies I have my M1 endorsement. I run up the hill back to my bike to get my riding gear, get back to the truck, and there's a beautiful candy blue ZX14 parked outside. The gentleman that had me sign the waiver says, "That's your bike right there, and Alfredo will be here in 5 min to take you on your ride. I can only smile.
Alfredo comes over introduces himself. I briefly describe the type of riding I do. Then he says, " I have a route mapped. I'm thinking we'll head out hwy 37 to 101, go south and take Lucas Valley Rd out towards the coast, then come back through Fairfax before coming back to the track. So we'll be gone for and hour or so, does that sound ok?" I'm speachless except for, 'That sounds great'.
My goodness, that 1400cc motor is sooo smooth. It's like having a giant turbine at your disposal. Most definately one of the greatest two-wheeled powerplants invented. We were running around 90mph on hwy 37 and it was just sooo effortless. BTW, Alfredo was riding the new '08 Z1000.
So we get to an intersection, right goes to Nicassio, left heads to Fairfax. At this point he pulls over and asks, would you like to try the Z1000? Ok, but could you pinch me first. I think this was the biggest surprise of all. Kawasaki must be doing some heavy R/D on their new bikes. The new Z1000 was soo refined. The fuel metering was spot on, and the way it pulled off the bottom, I reckon it would give the Superduke a good run. And of course their is the inline 4 top end hit at the end too. So after riding a 990SD and the Z1000 back to back, is the KTM 5k better..not if it was my money. Of course all the magazines are going to call the KTM the winner over the Z1000, but I honestly liked the Kaw better. It was soo much smoother, and for 5k, that buys a lot of farkle, tires and gas. Ok the KTM is totally teh hotness
In Fairfax, we stop and have a soda and talk about bikes and stuff. I jump back on the ZX14 ....vroooom
During our ride, I had been respectful of my host, and not really tapped into any of the 14's power reserves, but as we get back on hwy 101 headed back to the track, my host just takes off. Oh I must catch him..2nd gear pinned from about 4-10grand .....WOW!!! you ZX14 owners, high five to ya. That was impressive. I briefly experienced your secret world ....it made me smile, thank you very much.
Anyway, we're back at the track around 2:15pm. We've been gone for almost 2hrs. All I can do of course is say thank you everyone with a Kawasaki shirt on
for the experience. To me it was like hitting the Lotto without even playing. To be some random nobody and picked to go on ride on a pressbike, I'll never forget it that's for sure.
So in the end, I walked back up the hill with a SIG on my face back to the 'Strom. At 2:42pm, fired up my bike and went for a ride headed home, to watch the Superbike races on Speed later that evening. I had a
very good day.
