VOLUME ISSUE JULY , P101
P101
Our first session was damp—
just enough to relearn Porti-
mao's rollercoaster layout and
sample that new Akrapovic
pipe. It's Euro5+ compliant, so
don't expect MotoGP acoustics,
but it adds a welcome bark and
seriously sharpens the RX's vi
-
suals. Let's be honest—the RS's
stock pipe hides the swingarm
like it's in witness protection.
Even at warmup pace, the
RX feels different. With more
weight shifted forward, there's a
greater connection to the front
wheel and chassis. The ergo
-
nomics alone tighten the bond
between rider and machine.
Everything that made the
RS great—flawless fueling, a
seamless quickshifter, and that
glorious surge of torque—is still
here. However, it's now more fo
-
cused. The 1160cc triple is a joy:
flexible, raucous and urgent, with
lean-sensitive rider aids quietly
keeping you from becoming part
of the gravel scenery.
With dry conditions finally on
our side, it was time to switch
from Sport to Track mode. The
Öhlins suspension stiffens to
its Dynamic setting, rider aids
back off, and the RX sharpens
its claws.
No extra power over the RS,
despite the Akra, but 180 hp is
plenty. While some might scoff
at it in today's 200+ hp naked
arms race, the RX is brutally ef
-
fective—and arguably more us-
able. With grip dialed in, I could
chase that 10,750 rpm redline
with confidence. At those
speeds, the challenge isn't ac
-
celeration—it's hanging on.
Portimao's infamous crest
on the straight isn't so much a
corner as a physics experiment.
Even with the lower handlebar,
(Top) The gorgeous
Akrapovic exhaust
adds a nice aural note
to the ride. (Bottom)
This is one of the
most recognizable
headlights in the world
of high-performance
motorcycles.
