2WF.com - Online and on the Gas - 2004 Open Class Shootout

2004 Open Class Shootout

Tuesday, 07 September 2004
Page 2 of 4

Yamaha R1 1st Track - 3rd Street

The Yamaha is a tale of two bikes, I liked it on the street but I absolutely loved it on the track. The tall first gear that had me grumbling on the street, made perfect sense on the track. The close ratio gearbox was smooth and precise and the bike worked well over the bumpy sections of the track. Although the steering damper isn't as sophisticated as the Honda's it still worked very well. A couple of shakes of the clip-ons, in slow-mo, informed you that you were riding sloppy, but it never got out of hand or necessitated a roll off of the throttle. The sounds emanating

from the airbox and exhaust had the hairs on back of my neck standing tall; it was both intoxicating and very exciting. Handling and braking was exemplary at the track and mid corner manners very composed - consequently I posted my fastest time on this model. I realize that this shouldn't factor into the rideability, err... factor, but this bike looked the pants too. I liked riding and looking at this bike, it had sex appeal and the hardware to back up its looks.

Kawasaki ZX10R 2nd Track - 2nd Street

The Kawasaki was, as I suspected, fun but flighty. The initial press intro was held on a billiard table track (Homestead) and it was only in the real world and on a real track that we got to experience the stability of the big Kwack. The problem (mostly on the track) was head swapping over the bumpy stuff, you had to ride super smooth to get max drive and a couple of times I found myself rolling off the throttle to calm things down - obviously not good for fast times at Ridgemont High. TrackDaz organizer, Dustin Coyner, did mention that

I looked really comfortable on the ZX, I sure this look was more attributable to me having to be so smooth and precise with my inputs to maintain fast forward velocity. Dustin was riding an 04' GSX-R600 and I shouldn't of had so much trouble dicing with him, especially with an extra 40-odd horsepower in my pocket. Chatting with Aprilia and Moto-Guzzi's Fleet manager and fast old guy, Will Tate, we agreed that the Kawi would be almost unbeatable if it had a steering damper as good as the Honda. Fast and furious is good, but fast and controlled could see this motorcycle labeled, bike of the decade. As it happens, it's relegated - mostly due to the excellent manners of both the Yamaha and Honda. By the way, the gear shift felt a little shorter in throw than of the pre-production ZX10's that I'd ridden before. I never missed a shift on the street or the track. Sorted gearbox then, but shame on Kawasaki for the lack of steering damper.

Honda CBR1000RR 3rd Track - 1st Street

The Honda was a gem in most situations. Worried about weight? Don't be - it's really not an issue. That extra 20-odd pound always seem to disappear, street or track. I must admit I was left with a so-so taste after the press intro in Arizona. Sure the bike was good, but it didn't light a fire under my arse. A month or so ago I was invited to a street ride with Honda's urban terrorist, Doug Toland, my mind set was changed. I really think this is the most perfect streetbike that I have ever ridden. The weight is low and (mass) centralized, turn in is pin point precise and I could adjust my line at will and at any speed. This will scoop you (and me)

out of trouble should you have any mid-corner problems. The front end feel on this bike was absolutely superb and I felt I could run it in deep and still have reserves left. The street ride endorsed just how good this bike was in real world situations. I felt so at home on the seat of this bike, with its adjustable levers (clutch and brake) I never felt taxed in any way. At the track, however, it just didn't really inspire me, although the bike was just as composed as the street ride. The steering damper is really, really remarkable (two really's?) and totally unobtrusive, in fast or slow maneuvers and should be compulsory on open-classers.

Honda RC51-SP2 4th Track - 6th Street

The RC51, streetwise, was a little harsh on the street with the (I assume) track settings. I suspect it was one of the least favorite bikes for the journey to and from the track. On that track though, it was pretty spectacular. The front end feel was superb and mid corner stability brilliant. The bike felt composed under brakes and I got nary a shake over some of the bumpier sections of the track. The bike is so typically

Honda and you could get up to speed quickly. I went surprisingly fast on this bike at the track. This is mostly due to its very flat feeling power curve, with no spikes in power to upset your cornering lines or whilst powering out. It was like revisiting an old friend - I've enjoyed rides on the RC in the past and this latest SP2 rendition makes a great bike even better. I have no idea where I was hiding when this second version was released, because I didn't realize the depth of improvements made since its initial introduction in 2000. The only complaints were a little hesitation out of slow speed corners whilst sniffing out grip at the track and on the same type of slow corners on the street and the small tank always saw the fuel light on first. Funny enough though, I got my second best recorded time on this bike.

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