Neither had mine until my daughter introduced it to a shoe(s) full of playground sand.
I have been pushing a Kirby for neigh on 50 years and have always adjusted it one click beyond when the motor changes tone. This has always been adequate. IT was just an observation that it does not handle surface litter i.e. piles of sand like a machine that skims the surface. HOWEVER, the Riccar is far outclassed in deep cleaning. The Supralite is more of an Oreck size and design. I feel it is more of a sweeper than a vacuum.
ETA--The Riccar makes a lot more noise, sounds like it will come apart, when it picks up sand. The Kirby handles it in stride, just some tinks and pings.
I seriously think you under judge the Simplicity/Riccar Lightweights. The top of the line has a steel brushroll that is suburb AND has removable brushstrips. The noise is to be expected in that the Kirby has $500 more heavy metal to deaden the sound. These are really 2 different animals and to compare them really depends on the initial perimeters defined by the buyer. I really can't think of many vacuums so diametrically opposed in purpose than a Kirby and a Freedom. LOL
