Demo Days at GP

The Triumph one is only for their 'roadsters" (Street/Speed Triple, Trident ... no 'classics').
 
So who has gone to GP Bikes demo days in the past? How long are the demo rides? What are the insurance/waiver implications?
 
I've only done the KTM demo day at GP. The route was mostly in town. You do not have any opportunity to confirm much else besides that the motorcycle is a motorcycle. I don't think I got out of 2nd gear.
 
Probably a gross overgeneralization, but I've found city riders to be of much lower skill compared to riders out in the rural areas.

Anytime I've done a group demo ride in the 416/905, I'm astounded by how many riders are unable to proficiently start, stop, turn and shift a motorcycle. It's probably a good thing the rides are in town, heaven forbid they have to navigate a corner or ride above 80 km/h...

I don't do a lot of factory group demo rides, but of the few I've done out here in the sticks, I've been impressed by most riders' ability to keep formation, keep a good following distance, and ride at a much higher, spirited pace - especially when the roads get a bit twisty. You also won't see a lot of riders having to stop with both feet out like landing gears. :rolleyes:

You might get a better experience booking a demo ride out in the 705 or even 613 (if you live in the east end). Better roads, and the group ride leaders probably feel more comfortable upping the pace a bit so you're able to get a feel for how the bike really handles.
 
Lightcycle said:
Probably a gross overgeneralization, but I've found city riders to be of much lower skill compared to riders out in the rural areas.

Anytime I've done a group demo ride in the 416/905, I'm astounded by how many riders are unable to proficiently start, stop, turn and shift a motorcycle. It's probably a good thing the rides are in town, heaven forbid they have to navigate a corner or ride above 80 km/h...

I don't do a lot of factory group demo rides, but of the few I've done out here in the sticks, I've been impressed by most riders' ability to keep formation, keep a good following distance, and ride at a much higher, spirited pace - especially when the roads get a bit twisty. You also won't see a lot of riders having to stop with both feet out like landing gears. :rolleyes:

You might get a better experience booking a demo ride out in the 705 or even 613 (if you live in the east end). Better roads, and the group ride leaders probably feel more comfortable upping the pace a bit so you're able to get a feel for how the bike really handles.
Click to expand...
True. Country folk are miles ahead
 
Lightcycle said:
Probably a gross overgeneralization, but I've found city riders to be of much lower skill compared to riders out in the rural areas.

Anytime I've done a group demo ride in the 416/905, I'm astounded by how many riders are unable to proficiently start, stop, turn and shift a motorcycle. It's probably a good thing the rides are in town, heaven forbid they have to navigate a corner or ride above 80 km/h...

I don't do a lot of factory group demo rides, but of the few I've done out here in the sticks, I've been impressed by most riders' ability to keep formation, keep a good following distance, and ride at a much higher, spirited pace - especially when the roads get a bit twisty. You also won't see a lot of riders having to stop with both feet out like landing gears. :rolleyes:

You might get a better experience booking a demo ride out in the 705 or even 613 (if you live in the east end). Better roads, and the group ride leaders probably feel more comfortable upping the pace a bit so you're able to get a feel for how the bike really handles.
Click to expand...
Most definitely. 3 dropped bikes on that demo ride session. However, I learned nothing about the 1290 GT except how hot it gets while waiting at stop lights.
 
I just got back from Triumph's demo day at Powersports TO. I really like how they treat their customers. I'd be happy to give them my business if I ever end up with a two-bike garage.

Here is my opinion about that the STriple RS.
I remember sitting on a Street Triple RS two or three years ago at one of the winter motorcycle shows. At the time, it felt like the ergonomics had been designed specifically for me. Ever since then, I've wanted to take one for a ride.


Well, let me tell you: the Street Triple RS blew my mind. Now I kind of understand why it put an end to @bigpoppa habit of changing bikes like underwear.


The brakes are top-notch. So bitey from the very first few millimetres of lever travel. Personally, I love that. On one straight stretch, I gave it some throttle to get a feel for the acceleration, but I didn't expect traffic to come to a standstill a few hundred metres ahead. I had to grab a handful of brake, and they responded amazingly.
I need to do some research to see whether upgrading the master cylinder on my bike could give me a similar feel.


The bike feels quick when you twist the throttle. It's not as fun as the Monster, but it definitely feels fast—my senses were telling me that. It's the opposite of what I experience on the Multistrada. On the Multi, I don't realize how fast I'm going until I glance down at the speedometer and realize I could be in serious trouble.

The bike feels compact and light, and it's easy to flick from side to side.

The rider triangle is roomier than the Monster's, although the riding position is still fairly aggressive. If it weren't for the shoulder pain I've been dealing with over the last couple of weeks, I'd probably describe it as comfortable, for this segment, at least.

The power delivery is linear, the handling feels sharp, and the overall ride is smooth. Even at stoplights, there are virtually no vibrations.

In summary, I definitely want to own a Street Triple RS a few years from now.

Buuuuuut, strangely enough, all that refinement and smoothness made me realize how much I love my bike with all its rough edges. Compared to the Triumph's clinical feel, the Ducati just has "character" .
 
PacoT said:
I just got back from Triumph's demo day at Powersports TO. I really like how they treat their customers. I'd be happy to give them my business if I ever end up with a two-bike garage.

Here is my opinion about that the STriple RS.
I remember sitting on a Street Triple RS two or three years ago at one of the winter motorcycle shows. At the time, it felt like the ergonomics had been designed specifically for me. Ever since then, I've wanted to take one for a ride.


Well, let me tell you: the Street Triple RS blew my mind. Now I kind of understand why it put an end to @bigpoppa habit of changing bikes like underwear.


The brakes are top-notch. So bitey from the very first few millimetres of lever travel. Personally, I love that. On one straight stretch, I gave it some throttle to get a feel for the acceleration, but I didn't expect traffic to come to a standstill a few hundred metres ahead. I had to grab a handful of brake, and they responded amazingly.
I need to do some research to see whether upgrading the master cylinder on my bike could give me a similar feel.


The bike feels quick when you twist the throttle. It's not as fun as the Monster, but it definitely feels fast—my senses were telling me that. It's the opposite of what I experience on the Multistrada. On the Multi, I don't realize how fast I'm going until I glance down at the speedometer and realize I could be in serious trouble.

The bike feels compact and light, and it's easy to flick from side to side.

The rider triangle is roomier than the Monster's, although the riding position is still fairly aggressive. If it weren't for the shoulder pain I've been dealing with over the last couple of weeks, I'd probably describe it as comfortable, for this segment, at least.

The power delivery is linear, the handling feels sharp, and the overall ride is smooth. Even at stoplights, there are virtually no vibrations.

In summary, I definitely want to own a Street Triple RS a few years from now.

Buuuuuut, strangely enough, all that refinement and smoothness made me realize how much I love my bike with all its rough edges. Compared to the Triumph's clinical feel, the Ducati just has "character" .
Click to expand...
Next ride, we switch and you take the 'M'
 
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