Rode the 2012 today random thoughts...

[redninja]

Had to uncrate and prep a 12 today which included putting about 10 miles. It felt good, It feels lighter than the 11 due to the much smaller seat and tail plastic. It turns a little quicker in the low to mid speed stuff, feels easier to flick from left to right. I can see that the swingarm pivot is higher in the frame and the hardware looks eccentric. It came with bt016s which are pretty much a standard profile tire so I dont thing the tire made a difference as most the 11s had the contis.

The adjustable damper helps, going from full stiff to loose, but it does not replace an aftermarket as full stiff still feels kinda loose compared to an ohlins type.

It does feel like it pulls a little harder than the 11, but not by much, but its hard to tell really with the 9k limiter.

It feels like its a closer reach to the bars and they feel a little higher, so maybe a little more comfortable to ride longer.

My biggest impression is the throttle spring, night and day difference, the 12 is so much nicer, worse my 11 has the alpha short throttle, so it seems in worse still. Interesting is a hole machined right behind the steering head straight through the entire frame, must be to help flex is my guess, but weird. If I was in the market for a new new bike, I would get a 12, but its not enough to trade or sell the 11 in my opinion.

I will wait and see when I get the 1st one with a 600 and then see how it runs.

[SPETSNAZ]

Originally Posted by redninja

Had to uncrate and prep a 12 today which included putting about 10 miles. It felt good, It feels lighter than the 11 due to the much smaller seat and tail plastic. It turns a little quicker in the low to mid speed stuff, feels easier to flick from left to right. I can't tell that it has shorter(wheelbase) even sitting next to an 11, but you can see that the swingarm pivot is higher in the frame. It came with bt016s which are pretty much a standard profile tire so I dont thing the tire made a difference as most the 11s had the contis.

The adjustable damper helps, going from full stiff to loose, but it does not replace an aftermarket as full stiff still feels kinda loose compared to an ohlins type.

It does feel like it pulls a little harder than the 11, but not by much, but its hard to tell really with the 9k limiter.

It feels like its a closer reach to the bars and they feel a little higher, so maybe a little more comfortable to ride longer.

My biggest impression is the throttle spring, night and day difference, the 12 is so much nicer, worse my 11 has the alpha short throttle, so it seems in worse still. Interesting is a hole machined right behind the steering head straight through the entire frame, must be to help flex is my guess, but weird. If I was in the market for a new new bike, I would get a 12, but its not enough to trade or sell the 11 in my opinion.

I will wait and see when I get the 1st one with a 600 and then see how it runs.

I would interested to know since the seat is smaller, is it less comfortable?


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[jumpfiend]

Thanks for the quick review.



But no thanks for making me want a 12 vs a 10/11.

[redninja]

Originally Posted by SPETSNAZ

I would interested to know since the seat is smaller, is it less comfortable?


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No it didnt feel much different sitting on it flat, but the tapered sides makes it easier to slide your ass off from side to side and made the bike seem smaller. I rode it in some traffic to have to fan come on and didn't notice it being uncomfortable

[King Kenny]

Interesting....

Did you manage to notice the different throttle maps in Sport mode & also the supposedly improved midrange?

[usrodeo4]

Glad to hear they are showing up...my Red one is "supposed" to (Maybe) be in next week...as a guy who has a lot of experience in the dirt on the track and the street but has been out of biking for many years I can't wait to ride it. Reminds me of the anticipation of buying my first go fast bike when I got an H2-750 back in my HS days.

[BSR-1]

Any pics of the hole in the frame?

[AMPforE]

Any impression as to the level of vibration compared to the 10-11?

[H-2 CHARLIE]

Originally Posted by usrodeo4

Glad to hear they are showing up...my Red one is "supposed" to (Maybe) be in next week...as a guy who has a lot of experience in the dirt on the track and the street but has been out of biking for many years I can't wait to ride it. Reminds me of the anticipation of buying my first go fast bike when I got an H2-750 back in my HS days.

This bike is like having 3 built H-2s under you . Really

[SPETSNAZ]

Originally Posted by AMPforE

Any impression as to the level of vibration compared to the 10-11?

The vibration used to bother me. So i hrotlemasters on my handle bars and it was huge relief


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