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Well, I never thought I'd have another street bike, but here we are. I've been oggling this bike since it came out. I only had room for one bike in Boston. I balked a bit at the price of a fully set up track version of the RC390. Control riding for TTD, having the 675 was a huge plus. Plus, I felt like I had "graduated" to getting a middleweight around the track safely while "using all the power" and was going to damn well enjoy it. So those are all the reasons I never got an RC390.
Fast forward to now. Probably sound like a broken record, but for those of you that don't know me personally, or didn't follow my van build thread, I took a job in San Francisco and moved a little under 2 weeks go. I had planned on getting a scooter, but once I tested out my commute on public transport I HAD to fast forward the process. If you were to drive it, its 5.5 miles. Via busses, its more like 8 miles and even at 6am it takes over an hour. Closer to 1.5 hours on the way home in rush hour. I also learned that the parking garage next to my office is $6 a day for motorcycles and I get $200 a month in transit credit from work. All that being said, I went to the local dealership that carries scoots and KTMs to get a lay of the land and the rules.
In Boston, if you had a 50cc scooter you owned the place. No registration, no insurance, park on the sidewalk, treat it like a bicycle. The internet said that wasn't the case in SF. Then again, the internet doesn't say you can do it in Boston either, but you can. Also pointing out that parking a motorcycle in Boston sucks. After chatting at the shop, you can't cheat the scooter rules in SF like you can in Boston. First off, you kinda need something bigger than a 50 cause of the hills, even more so if you want to take a passenger. Whether or not you have a 50 or anything bigger, you need a motorcycle license, license plate, and insurance in SF. However, my time here has proven that parking motorcycles in SF is much easier as there is moto parking everywhere. You can also legally filter through at traffic lights.
It was decided, I was getting an RC390. It would be my little commute cruiser and I could also keep my track habit in check, with some pretty amazing tracks all within 2 hours of the city. I emailed all the dealerships for their best price OTD, told them straight up I was asking everyone in the area and going with the best price. I got all the responses. Most were MSRP of $5,500 which was a touch over $7k OTD. K and B Motorsports in Petaluma gave me a price of $5,300 out the door for a 2018. I went and picked it up the next day. Wrote a check for $5,300 and walked out with a registered motorcycle with temporary tags (official plates would be mailed to me). They also cut me 25% off on parts and free install, so I had them add in the pretty trick KTM wheel lock that attaches to the front brake and stays on the bike. You just slide a pin in and out of it. I also had them add on the KTM and California approved Akroprovic slip on. I bought a cover with alarm on Amazon.
This thing CANNOT BE TOUCHED in the city. Its basically an oversized scooter. I can flat foot it. Its light. Point to point, I cut the google maps suggested time in close to half.
Power wise, my only comparison is my old CRF450 I raced at Loudon. I estimated that thing did close to 50hp. This bike is about 42 and a little bit heavier. Definitely doesn't have the same feeling my CRF did, which I miss a bit and I'm a bit sad about it to be honest. That said, it is BEYOND adequate for scooting around the city.
On the highway, eh. It cruises at 75 pretty well, but the shift light is off and on at that speed.
What is bugging me is that the engine has been cutting when I try to get back on the gas after coasting. Its kind of dangerous because it usually occurs when cruising into a red light with the clutch in, the light turns green before I stop, and I go to give it gas again to take off and it dies. If I come to a complete stop it does not die when I hit the gas. Any thoughts?
It runs pretty hot in the city, but never into the red. The fans are on a lot and seem to do their job.
I probably won't do much joy riding on it and keep it limited to mostly commuting and track days. That said, I'll need to stretch its legs eventually and will chime back in after I do. Not thrilled that it has Metzler tires, but a set of Rosso Corsas will last a lifetime on it.
Will also chime in once I get it on the track.
Overall impression, its a super great city bike and I'm hoping it rails the twisties. I expect big things on the track as the 2018 has a bigger front rotor, a slipper clutch, moved the exhaust to a sidemount (the original side exit was causing clearance issues) and I guess they worked out the geometry a bit since the original 2014s.
It also turns heads like a mofo. Its very sexy.
Thats all. I'm excited and will report back after some more testing.