Las Vegas Bikefest Report-Day 1

[vfrchick]

SLOVFR got to my house about 11:30am Friday. I introduced him to all of my birds and he seemed to hit it off really well with Gabby. Click on link below...



We then took off to LV MotorSpeedway for the Femmoto Street Demos.



The first bikes we rode were Buells. Fun bikes, but neither one of us was overly impressed. We then went to the Suzuki group. I was going to take a GSX650F and Brian was going to ride an M109-Boulevard. I also sat on an SV650 for old times sake.







We had some time to kill before the Suzukis were going out again, so we went to the Triumph area and after realizing there was a scheduling comflict and we had to choose between the Suzukis or Triumphs, we decided to cancel the Suzukis and ride the Triumphs. Of course we didn't get pics of those, but I took out a 675 Daytona and Brian took an ST Spring 1050. Brian liked his but wasn't overly impressed... definitely did not like the seat. I LOVED the 675 and if I could afford it right now, would buy one. What a fun, flickable, fast and great-sounding bike!! Maybe a track bike for me somewhere down the road?

I also took a Harley out for a test ride and dumped it.



Well... not really. We watched a demo on how to pick up your bike if you drop it.



It was a good demo, and it worked especially well on the Harley since it had the highway bars to help give it a head start off the ground. I'm not sure how well it would work on a VFR, but it's good info. to have in case I find myself in that position.

We then headed home and Brian got pulled over trying to keep up with me... hee-hee!! Naw... he DID get pulled over, but only 'cause he was following me and saw the cops in his rear view before I did. I pulled off a ways ahead and waited for the cop to come ticket me as well. I was suprised to see both cop cars take off and Brian come up so quickly. He did not get a ticket. His dashing good looks, winning charm and flashy smile must have done the trick!! And his Volunteer Police card didn't hurt either.

We rode home more sanely the rest of the way, then went to pick up our Bikefest Registration packets, and had Chinese for dinner. We are both tired so are now going to say goodnight.

Will write up a report tomorrow evening as well.

[SFPA]

thanks for the write up and the pics!! Very comprehensive. Only, I wish one of you had ridden a Triumph T100. I might be in the market for one, and want to get some reviews of it from like-minded people as it is such a different Bike from the VFR. Nevertheless, great stuff. Cool Birds, too.

[Scubalong]

Thanks for sharing, Look fun.................And the birds look tastie

[derstuka]

Thanks for sharing the pictures Karen. I wish I could have made this event....looks like a great time was had by both of you. How much was it to ride the bikes? I would love to be able to sample other bikes like that.

Keep the pics coming when you can!

[drewl]

That would be cool to have a pic of you pushing the HD over...just for demostration purposes.

[vfrchick]

Thanks for sharing the pictures Karen. I wish I could have made this event....looks like a great time was had by both of you. How much was it to ride the bikes? I would love to be able to sample other bikes like that.

Keep the pics coming when you can!

We did the street demos and the cost for that was $25.00... nobody really even seemed to check if you paid, so we might go back again and see if we can ride more bikes without paying again. It is a controlled environment with a lead rider and "sweep". We actually went out on the freeway on the Buells. Triumph only took us around the streets within the track complex. Still, it was enough to get a good feel for the bikes. The sweeper for the Buells came up to me afterwards and said it looked like I have track experience the way I was riding. Of course, I don't... yet.

Anyway, you could also do track demos for $135.00 but it looked to me like the only ones setup for track were the Ducatis. Ducatis were not street-ready so we probably won't get to try those out.

You can always come out next year Jason!!

[SLOVFR]

Just a quick note on my impression of the Buel 1200r? It was like riding a fast dirt bike on the street or a sporty sportster. too much vibration for me and was not that impressed. Had good acceleration but cant see a damn think from the back for the vibrating mirrors not to mention the bars and foot pegs. The Buel R brakes were wonderful with the 8 piston calipers and the outer perimeter rotors! The Sprint St was a nice bike with 100 lbs less weight than the VFR . You could really tell the lightness of the bike in cornering, quite the difference a 100 pounds make. Smoother than the Buel but not as smooth as the VFR. Good acceleration and fast turning. I could be quite happy with this bike with a different seat on it. It felt like I ad a hard shoe spoon in all the wrong places when riding. The brakes were just ok and suspension not really any better than the VFR with same type forks, brakes, suspension as the VFR. Not sure its worth the 7k extra I would spend to get it.

Karen has been a great hostess and the birds are great to keep the chatter up.... Karen just mentioned that she forgot to tell everyone about the Frog Legs we tried at the Chinese Buffett last night. Tasted just like chicken :) Ok we're off. more later....

[RVFR]

LOL Brian, sounded like quite a hoot of a time...thanks for sharing

[Y2Kviffer]

Looks like y'all are having fun. Nice pics and write up, keep them coming.

[reg71]

cool beans. I didn't even know you were out of town. I just got back from the bay area myself. was gonna go riding up there but decided to run from the rain like a coward...