A while back Avon City Suzuki (ACS) emailed me that they were have a demo day to demo ride some of the new bikes they had on offer. So I took the advantage and booked in for today.

Started today late, slept in, then jumped on my bike and cruised through the tunnel, along the coast to Governors Bay, up to Sign of the Kiwi cafe for a coffee to start the day. Then headed to ACS..

Josh greeted me with his usual enthusisium, asked what I would like to start on, I suggested the DL650ALO.. He informed me that it had gone in for its 1000km service but should be back later in the day.. Sweet.

So my next choice was the GSX650FLO,

So the papers were signed and away I went. This bike was a good bike, smooth, plenty of power, however I did find lots of road works, a speed camera on the road to Akaroa, more road works 🙂
Heels went numbish ? A 1000 km’s on it ? Yeah would be better than the DRZ400sm

After a small break it was onto the next 650, this time the SV650SLO..

Wow, Had to crouch on this one, got to the road and re-adjusted my position, Wow, quite a different sort of power, this bike had a lot more torque, so was a little easier on the gears and the road.

Changed my route this time, Out Springs road, Prebbleton, Lincoln, Taitapu, Gebbies Pass, Governors Bay, Dyers Pass..

Was a nice bike to ride, could see on a long trip being uncomfortable, back to ACF..

By the time I got back, it was lunch time, Josh said yeap, just take a bike, so onto the next bike, The newer engined (650 Vee engine on all three of these 650’s) SFV650 Gladius..

This ride was a nicer upright position, but a whole different power range, was hard to keep it legal.

Took nearly the same route as before, except at Gebbies pass, took the summit road and then I stopped at the Sign of the Kiwi cafe for lunch. Ordered a coffee, and

Wow, what a mission, got through the sandwich and it was great, attacked a few of the chips, some of the vege’s, then started to get ready to go, off to the mens for a pitstop…

Then just as I was walking back to my seat, I heard a crash, and thought, that can’t be good, sure enough a lady had reversed into the bike knocking it to the ground..

So walked down, picked up the bike, and spoke to the lady, who had not seen the only bike in the park..

A broken brake handle, foot peg and a few scratches..

Bugger, I was thinking about taking the the tunnel back.

Instead, went straight back…

Showed Josh the problems, gave him the information, and then he asked “What bike now”..

How about the DL650ALO.. This was the last 650 vee with the older engine, same as the SV650SLO..

I had decided to try this first as it was similar style to my DRZ400sm, the engine was a little different again, but felt good. The position was comfortable, the front fairing, made the ride nicer than the Gladius, I noticed that the visor on the helmet was buffeted when half up to fully up.. But the ride was nice, great to have the extra power to pass when necessary.. This bike would be my choice to if I was to go away for a long trip.

Again same route, and was exciting still..

Next.. The GSX-R1000ZLO…

Alas, it was out. By this time it was about 4pm, so was having 5 minutes to chill out.. Then it arrived…

Josh added some more gas to it, then explained to me that it has 3 power bands.. about 8000, 10,000 and 14,000.. 14,000 ! Damn..

Well, this was tighter than the SV.. I thought wow, maybe I am too big for this.. Got to the roundabout and then when I had a clear path, stalled the bike. Only time today !

Wow, the power on this bike was extraordinary.. Sixth gear, and was very hard to keep it at 60.

This bike was wicked, I was saying to myself, “this thing a license shredder !”

It was nimble, had power to burn, and forgot about how uncomfortable it was at first..

Got back to ACS, about 5:10pm, Place was nearly closed.

I dismounted the bike, and Josh came through to see my reaction.. Hmmm I think I had a grin a mile wide.. 😉

Josh said I could come back and try the others or todays ones again..

Grabbed my things and headed home.. It then started to rain !!! Sweet…

Happy riding, and keep safe..