An impromptu early finish to my working day left me with the chance to grab a 2hr demo on a new LC GS and here are my impressions:
First of all I hate using the term "LC" to refer to a new bike as for me there was only ever one LC but im calling it that now for reasons I will explain later....
I rode the bike over a mixture of roads and at a variety of speeds so here are the +/- of my ride:
+ engine - cowabunga this is one quick motor
. Smooth power delivery and top end surge which made me think of the iconic LC itself. Felt light years away from the wheezy twin cam i demo'd last time and a quantum leap in terms of output from my trusty 1150.
+ clutch/gearbox - Jap light in its lightness and smoothness of operation - was i really on a GS?
+ suspension - absorbed every type of surface with consumate ease - v impresive indeed.
+comfort - great riding position aided also by being able to adjust seat height to the higher position which suited fine.
2 hrs wasnt long enough to assess long distance comfort but certainly seemed fine to me.
+brakes - powerful and with great feel - quality.
+ exhaust note - surprisingly cool at higher revs - not the muted note i expected and would make me push the Akra futher down on my accessory list.
+ screen - fine for adjustability and adequate wind protection for me - its not an RT but thats fine by me as im on a motor-cycle after all
+LED light - uber cool and a must have for me.
The negatives:
- 6th gear - still quite buzzy and missing the overdrive from my 1150 - a much more desirable option than an enduro 1st gear ffs
- stupidly small speedo dial although i understand u can make the speedo read out numerically on the computer
- awkward switchgear - couldnt find high beam and would have preferred the indicator layout from my 1150
- mirrors - decent view but silly shape
- gearchange arrow telling me when to change up - making me feel like i was riding some sort of eco bike instead of BMs latest overlander
Overall, a very imprressive bike indeed - i loved it's flickability and as for the engine - without question it's crowning glory
Keeping it in Dynamic mode made me feel like i was on my LC from years ago so maybe its ok to call it that
Compared to my CT the engines are comparable with the GS having superior suspension and definitely feeling more flickable.
Compared to my 1150 the LC lacks that hued from granite feel about it and the cliche of feeling planted definitely applies more to the 1150 for sure and owing to its more relaxed power delivery and overdrive 6th would encourage me more to head off into the sunset on a long haul than the new bike.
As for the LC well its probably a few bikes in one - quick enough to get your pulse racing on a Sun afternoon in the way that an 1150 could never but capable enough for a two up round Europe trip - me? I'lll take one in black with wire wheels and no ESA
First of all I hate using the term "LC" to refer to a new bike as for me there was only ever one LC but im calling it that now for reasons I will explain later....
I rode the bike over a mixture of roads and at a variety of speeds so here are the +/- of my ride:
+ engine - cowabunga this is one quick motor
. Smooth power delivery and top end surge which made me think of the iconic LC itself. Felt light years away from the wheezy twin cam i demo'd last time and a quantum leap in terms of output from my trusty 1150.+ clutch/gearbox - Jap light in its lightness and smoothness of operation - was i really on a GS?
+ suspension - absorbed every type of surface with consumate ease - v impresive indeed.
+comfort - great riding position aided also by being able to adjust seat height to the higher position which suited fine.
2 hrs wasnt long enough to assess long distance comfort but certainly seemed fine to me.
+brakes - powerful and with great feel - quality.
+ exhaust note - surprisingly cool at higher revs - not the muted note i expected and would make me push the Akra futher down on my accessory list.
+ screen - fine for adjustability and adequate wind protection for me - its not an RT but thats fine by me as im on a motor-cycle after all
+LED light - uber cool and a must have for me.
The negatives:
- 6th gear - still quite buzzy and missing the overdrive from my 1150 - a much more desirable option than an enduro 1st gear ffs
- stupidly small speedo dial although i understand u can make the speedo read out numerically on the computer
- awkward switchgear - couldnt find high beam and would have preferred the indicator layout from my 1150
- mirrors - decent view but silly shape
- gearchange arrow telling me when to change up - making me feel like i was riding some sort of eco bike instead of BMs latest overlander
Overall, a very imprressive bike indeed - i loved it's flickability and as for the engine - without question it's crowning glory
Keeping it in Dynamic mode made me feel like i was on my LC from years ago so maybe its ok to call it that
Compared to my CT the engines are comparable with the GS having superior suspension and definitely feeling more flickable.
Compared to my 1150 the LC lacks that hued from granite feel about it and the cliche of feeling planted definitely applies more to the 1150 for sure and owing to its more relaxed power delivery and overdrive 6th would encourage me more to head off into the sunset on a long haul than the new bike.
As for the LC well its probably a few bikes in one - quick enough to get your pulse racing on a Sun afternoon in the way that an 1150 could never but capable enough for a two up round Europe trip - me? I'lll take one in black with wire wheels and no ESA
