I should have known better. Never through a leg over something that you don't want in the stable. There is a primordial part of the human brain that associates things that you have touched as belonging to you. Annually around mid-July, Yamaha Racing Champion School (YRCS) brings their course to Quantico Marine Corp Base. Nearly melting to the asphalt as it was blazing HOT, but otherwise I had a delightful day. It was taught this time by the CEO of YCRSS, Nick Iantach (sp?). The other instructor just finished up from a top 5 finish at Laguna Seca the prior weekend in the Superbike class. Needless to say, they oozed talent.
The class was all taught trackside, and was a great blend of theory and application. Never once did they ask anyone to slow down, and certainly no pussy-footing around turns. "You accelerate because we use our brakes!" They would ride laps with us, and randomly move cones into the corners to change our apexing and sometimes full stops in the corner. It was a full 8 hr course, and I certainly didn't feel like I needed any more turns/track time by the time we concluded.
The only downside to the "free" class was that they brought 4 bikes (Tracer 900, MT-07, MT-09 and something else with full fairings). I was able to catch ride the last 35 mins session on the MT-09. But yet, standing in the middle of a 10 acre helo field decorated ornately with miniature pylon cones and I don't walk away. Instead, under the leadership of Yamaha Racing School I have the most incredible test ride of my life. The final session of the day and pure bliss piloting the MT-09 on a closed course, with professional instructors urging me to pilot the bike with more zest into the corners.
I leave that test ride on Wed, and by Saturday the new sled is in my possession. However, I did find the local Washington DC dealers a step below scoundrel level. Dealers to the North and South of me both wanted $1K (11%) more in shipping/documentation/assembly fees. It's a bit a ridiculous business model. The dealer 15 miles from home had last years model on the floor, which she was apparently very proud of. They wanted a $800 premium for the luxury of buying a bike that I don't like the color and a year older.
The class was all taught trackside, and was a great blend of theory and application. Never once did they ask anyone to slow down, and certainly no pussy-footing around turns. "You accelerate because we use our brakes!" They would ride laps with us, and randomly move cones into the corners to change our apexing and sometimes full stops in the corner. It was a full 8 hr course, and I certainly didn't feel like I needed any more turns/track time by the time we concluded.
The only downside to the "free" class was that they brought 4 bikes (Tracer 900, MT-07, MT-09 and something else with full fairings). I was able to catch ride the last 35 mins session on the MT-09. But yet, standing in the middle of a 10 acre helo field decorated ornately with miniature pylon cones and I don't walk away. Instead, under the leadership of Yamaha Racing School I have the most incredible test ride of my life. The final session of the day and pure bliss piloting the MT-09 on a closed course, with professional instructors urging me to pilot the bike with more zest into the corners.
I leave that test ride on Wed, and by Saturday the new sled is in my possession. However, I did find the local Washington DC dealers a step below scoundrel level. Dealers to the North and South of me both wanted $1K (11%) more in shipping/documentation/assembly fees. It's a bit a ridiculous business model. The dealer 15 miles from home had last years model on the floor, which she was apparently very proud of. They wanted a $800 premium for the luxury of buying a bike that I don't like the color and a year older.
So we trek off to Romney, WV which is 150 miles away. Their environment of welcoming an old friend home, rather than the ‘bait and switch thuggery’ of my nearest dealerships was a smart trade. From the first call, the sales staff was knowledgeable and acted with integrity. The prices he quoted on the phone were the same at the signing table a few hours later (and at a savings of >$800!). Having the same bike in his personal stable, the sales staff passion for the bike was unwavering and they certainly took the time to go through the bikes options, possible upgrades and discuss any questions I had. Romney Cycles was efficient throughout the process, as the bike was prepped and staged for pickup under the front canopy as we arrived and paperwork ready complete & correct and as soon as we had completed the bike inspection.
A minor nit found later was that the chain was wicked tight, even after the first 1000 miles.
A minor nit found later was that the chain was wicked tight, even after the first 1000 miles.
