So I got to test a Ribelle RS down at Davant Bikes in Torquay last weekend while they monkeyed with my SR/F. Here's my impressions of it...
- OMG
- It's so very red and luscious
- Every component on it looks and feels like it costs about twice as much as the same part on my Zero, with the exception of the dash, ignition key, and LHS switchgear. Which is just as well as it costs almost twice as much.
- It doesn't feel much heavier than my SR/F with its charge tank, but it is a fair bit taller to sit in, and this makes it a bit trickier to move it around by hand.
- In general it looks and feels a good chunk bigger than the SR/F, but then I have to remind myself the SR/F is comparatively tiny compared to most bikes.
- As I ride with earplugs in always I didn't really hear the straight cut gear whine much. Once you get going it's drowned out by wind anyway, same as the Zero's belt whine.
- Somehow it feels smoother than the Zero... I suspect that's because of the posher suspension setup.
- It's got a sportier riding position than the SR/F, somewhat canted forward.
- Jesus Christ it is unbelievably fast. There aren't many bikes that make an SR/F in sport mode feel slow but this thing is on another level. I barely got to tweak the throttle in Standard mode and it just hurtles.
- Excellent brakes, and handling felt ok too, though I don't exactly do "sport" riding and as it was just a test ride I wasn't really going to try anything remotely daring.
- Using the same switchgear as Zero does to control the dash means a fairly similar experience there.
- Didn't get a chance to charge it or test range as I was only out for 30 minutes but of course I'd be expecting about 50% more range than the SR/F, or so.
- I think if I got one I'd replace the handlebars with SS9 items to get the comfier position. Actually if I'm honest I should be looking at the SS9 anyway as it's more my style of bike and I'm pretty sure I don't need the insane acceleration of the Ribellle RS.
- Did I mention it was fast
SO there we go... I am in lust. Just need to find 25 grand down the back of the sofa somewhere.
Cas