Well, the bikes arrived from Spain, but I got scooped by a freind on the Raga replica bike :bang:
But I did get some time to ride it. It is very light and flickable, as are all the Pros, only even more so. The greater flywheel mass of the 300 is very noticable, making the bike much less prone to stalling and cabable of grunting through just about anything.
The bike apparently comes with the "Raga" ignition curve preinstalled...it REALLY barks. Power is right off idle and very strong. Not necessarily unmanageable, but you do have to keep your wits about you for sure. It's very confidence inspiring on big steps for sure, but perhaps a little too much for tight cornering (hop free that is). We haven't changed the ignition settings yet, so that may take care of the abruptness.
The front end is noticably more rigid and less flexy than last years bikes (both on the Raga and Standard 280). Rear end of both bikes is very nice, although I cannot say I noticed a huge difference with the Ohlins on the Raga...perhaps a little more resistance to bottoming and a little smoother, but not enough that a rider of my level would see a big difference, at least in my opinion.
The Raga bar clamp and "fat" bars are beautiful! Lovely peices for sure, although very spendy as an upgrade.
Clutch master on the Raga is also different and uses a mineral oil instead of traditional DOT 4. It is slightly smoother feeling, although perhaps a little sharper engagement, if that makes any sense.
I ended up with a standard 2004 280 and I must say it is much improved over last years. The larger 300 style flywheel makes it much less stall resistant and very, very smooth. Still got some of that "Pro" quickness, just much more manageable now. Finding grip is much easier on the standard 280 compared to the Raga. I could see the Raga being difficult in muddy, slippery environments because of the almost too much power. Would be killer in dry grippy environments though (with a good fender budget ;) )
As I mentioned, the front end is much better this year. Stiffer torsionally and in compression. Clutch action is improved again, smoother and less abrupt than last years, and for the first time I actually had to move the engagement point in closer to the bar. I have long fingers and always seem to be trying to move the engagement point farther from the bar, but not this year.
I must say, that for my capabilities the standard 280 is probably better suited than the Raga, so I'm not disappointed by not getting the Raga after riding the two bikes back to back.
I'll be playing with the ignition maps over the next while and will give updates if anyone is interested.
But I did get some time to ride it. It is very light and flickable, as are all the Pros, only even more so. The greater flywheel mass of the 300 is very noticable, making the bike much less prone to stalling and cabable of grunting through just about anything.
The bike apparently comes with the "Raga" ignition curve preinstalled...it REALLY barks. Power is right off idle and very strong. Not necessarily unmanageable, but you do have to keep your wits about you for sure. It's very confidence inspiring on big steps for sure, but perhaps a little too much for tight cornering (hop free that is). We haven't changed the ignition settings yet, so that may take care of the abruptness.
The front end is noticably more rigid and less flexy than last years bikes (both on the Raga and Standard 280). Rear end of both bikes is very nice, although I cannot say I noticed a huge difference with the Ohlins on the Raga...perhaps a little more resistance to bottoming and a little smoother, but not enough that a rider of my level would see a big difference, at least in my opinion.
The Raga bar clamp and "fat" bars are beautiful! Lovely peices for sure, although very spendy as an upgrade.
Clutch master on the Raga is also different and uses a mineral oil instead of traditional DOT 4. It is slightly smoother feeling, although perhaps a little sharper engagement, if that makes any sense.
I ended up with a standard 2004 280 and I must say it is much improved over last years. The larger 300 style flywheel makes it much less stall resistant and very, very smooth. Still got some of that "Pro" quickness, just much more manageable now. Finding grip is much easier on the standard 280 compared to the Raga. I could see the Raga being difficult in muddy, slippery environments because of the almost too much power. Would be killer in dry grippy environments though (with a good fender budget ;) )
As I mentioned, the front end is much better this year. Stiffer torsionally and in compression. Clutch action is improved again, smoother and less abrupt than last years, and for the first time I actually had to move the engagement point in closer to the bar. I have long fingers and always seem to be trying to move the engagement point farther from the bar, but not this year.
I must say, that for my capabilities the standard 280 is probably better suited than the Raga, so I'm not disappointed by not getting the Raga after riding the two bikes back to back.
I'll be playing with the ignition maps over the next while and will give updates if anyone is interested.
