A little sneak preview if what is to come. I didn't buy this one (it's their Demo bike) but I put a deposit down on a Stencil White version right after that test ride.
Power wise it's everything we all wish our Hawks would/could be. It has zero problem going the highway speeds I need it to, and has more than enough power to get the job done. It's so smooth too.
One thing I absolutely love about it is the almost conplete lack of plastic,. Almost everything on this bike is metal. That's probably also why it weighs 529lbs with a nearly full tank of fuel lol.
In the short ride I got on the Demo bike I fell in love with it, despite a couple of small issues, but they were also expected.
First is the front brake has zero feel to it. Seems to be a common theme with the RE Bybre brakes. The rear brake is stupidly strong though, so it helps make up for it. I will probably look into options for upgrading at least the brake hose and pads to something different.
Second. Me, being the bigger man that I am, find the front suspension to be too soft on the spring rate side of things. It's not the worst ever and I even went over some good bumps and they never bottomed out, but it will happen eventually if I don't do something about it. Currently there isn't anything bike specific out on the market, but being Upside down Showa Single Function Big Piston forks, there is bound to be a spring out there for it that works. I just need to call Race Tech or another company and talk to them.
Now I just have to wait. My bike will be here sometime this week. I hope Tuesday so I can bring it home before I start work, but at the latest I will be picking it up Saturday.
The rear suspension is almost perfect as-is, most people complain about it being too stiff, so of course it works great for me lol.
This is what the Stencil White looks like.
