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I’ve been writing magazine road tests since 1984 and one of the consistent things over the years is that you generally suffer from feast or famine when it comes to demo bikes. Don’t ask me why, it just seems to work out that way.

For example I’ve gone from having none a couple of weeks ago, to three. Hell of a complaint to have…and of course the weather sucks, so riding them is a mixed blessing.

The rain and slippery roads have highlighted one thing: anti-lock braking is a wonderful device and I’m buggered if I know why it’s taken so long to adopt it widely on two wheels. Both the CBRs in my shed (a 1000 and 600) have it. I’ve yet to actually need it, but have deliberately played with it. When you’re dealing with four-wheel-drive-mounted psychopaths on a wet road, with a couple of tram tracks tossed in for fun, having at least one ‘safety net’ is a beautiful thing. You get home feeling at least a little less stressed.

It should be switchable for track-oriented bikes, and as light as possible. And cheap. These days, the small premium asked by most makers seems like money well spent, as the potential bill from even a minor fall will pay for the system.

In any case, I wish more than one of my eight personal bikes had it.

The CBRs have been in the shed for over a fortnight now, and I’m starting to think Honda must want them back at some stage. Their ride position is typical sports machine, which is very ordinary for the road. And this isn’t just an age thing. I recall thinking exactly the same way when I first stepped aboard a GSX-R750 in very late 1984. People love them for their speed, precision, and bragging rights – but really, you need a second bike for day-to-day use.

At the opposite end of the scale is the Suzuki M90 which has joined the demo flock. It’s the exact opposite riding position and almost as impractical. The feet forward stance looks stylish, but is not much good for control and definitely on the nose for long distances.

Something which makes me chuckle is my kidult daughters are completely polarised when it comes to which style appeals to them. Ms M Jnr reckons the Suzuki looks terrific, and barely noticed the sharply-sculpted CBRs. Meanwhile Ms A said the M90 had been hit with the ugly stick and happily snatched the keys to the 600. Both would probably walk straight past a more conventional naked, even though it would be a far better ride in most circumstances.

The naked, by the way, would be the first choice of spouse Ms M Snr, who sees a sports riding position as some bizarre form of torture, and happily buzzes off to work each day on her terribly practical and ancient (1982) CBX550. I’m a little surprised she and/or the bike haven’t been kidnapped by the motorcycle industry. The pair is hardly an advertisement for keeping the retail industry alive.

Of course you can argue the value of practicality until you’re blue in the face. Sales history shows that it is a market niche that’s no more successful than race replicas or heavily stylised cruisers.

Guy “Guido” Allen

guy.allen@traderclassifieds.com.au

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