VOLUME 57 ISSUE 45 NOVEMBER 10, 2020 P83
dropping $32K, as having traction control enabled
on such a high-price machine should be a given.
Kramer GP2-890R at
Barber Motorsports Park
For the chance to get a spin on the Kramer GP2-
890R, we headed to the stunning rider playground
of Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham,
Alabama, as part of what would normally be the
Barber Vintage Festival.
That festival was canned, like pretty much every-
thing else this year, but the event was still allowed
to go ahead, sans spectators.
At Barber we got the full gamut—beautiful sun-
shine one day one, then nothing but torrential rain
for the next three days, where the only name of the
game was staying upright (something I failed to do
on the final day).
But, enough of that.
Like the HKR, the first thing you notice even in
the pits is the lack of girth. At 310 pounds dry, the
GP2 feels not much heavier than a 450 moto-
crosser. Flat bars, low-set pegs, and a seat height
of 34 inches, add up to the cockpit offering an ex-
tremely rangy riding position, meaning riders from
5'5" to 6'5" can be comfortably accommodated.
With no traction control on offer, it's a good thing
the motor is so tractable. The 890 Duke R motor is
one of the sweetest powerplants released this year,
with a broad range of torque and high-rpm power.
It pays to keep the 890 in its happy spot of
between 7-9000 rpm—at that point, the drive is
strong but never overpowering, and encourages
you lap after lap to get on the gas earlier and
harder.
If you hang onto a gear too long, however, you'll
rev right into the brick wall of a rev limiter. The cut
is harsh, and once you've done it, you'll remem-
ber to shift before you see 10,000 rpm.
This was about as dry as it got from
Friday onwards. Rennie (078) came
away with a win, a second, and…
