GC6269
Registered user
So after my first 1000 miles I thought I'd post up my initial thoughts on my bike.
I only test rode this thing to rule it out of my thinking! I'd tried the Multistrada and KTM and was leaning towards the Duke. The big downside for me was chain drive. Why Ducati & KTM can't fit these bikes with shaft drive is a bit of a mystery.
So I nipped into Barrie Robson BMW for a quick test ride, two hours later, I come back with a big smile on my face and decide to do the deal.
I went for the TE in grey with an Akra pipe and had them leave off the sat nav bracket.
So what am I happy and not so happy about?
The engine is great, a broad spread of power and sounds great when it's on cam. The gearbox is a little hit and miss. Most times it's very smooth but every now and again it feels a little agricultural. If I hadn't been a member of this forum I'd put crap gear changes down to my lack of attention. I have noticed the drag when the engine is cold and will be keeping a close on it and the forum to see how others get on. I'm not suprised that a lot are unhappy. When you spend this kind of money, you shouldn't be getting these kind of issues. I don't buy the beta tester theory at all.
I've got an F10 520D, that was a brand new model when I got it and it's had zero issues. So no excuses BMW.
At first I was a little unsure about the riding position. Mostly on the position of the handlebars, they always felt a little too close to me. I was going to push them forward a little but I'm used to them now and happy. Of all the bikes I've owned this one requires more upper body input than anything else I've owned. To all those nay-sayers on counter steering, find a long constant radius conrner (obv. safe) and once into the bend, give the inside bar a little nudge forward and tell me counter sterring doesn't work!!!
Having seen a picture of the KMH clocks, I can't understand why they made our version so cluttered. Like a lot of other owners I'm also running the LCD speedo. But surely the best idea would be to make the clocks clearer and use the LCD for a KMH reading if required?
Switchgear seems fine, although the indicator switch feels a little fragile and a stretch away from the bar. Funnily enough, I was quite looking forward to getting used to the quirky BMW switchgear and then they go and change it!
I'm suprised how well the tyres (Anakee's) grip, despite picking up a puncture after 200 miles! They warm up quickly and don't seem to be showing much signs of wear. A bit different to the Super Corsas I had on my last bike. I thought I'd be swapping these for something a bit grippier before they were finished, but at the moment I'm more than happy to continue.
Despite what others say, I'm pleased with the riding modes. I acknowledge comments about throttle modulation and uneccesary complication, but coming from a bike that could be classed as analogue (Tuono) and then getting something totally removed from that (digital?) I find myself swapping between road and dynamic on a regular basis. On fast flowing A roads & motorways, ROAD alwys seems to suit the bike. On twisty B roads, DYNAMIC transforms the bike to the point where it feels like I'm riding something twenty kilos lighter with twenty more BHP. All in the mind? Probably, but it makes me happy. I haven't used RAIN or Enduro yet so I'm unable to oofer any insight.
So, overall I'm a very happy camper. A few odd niggles (clocks, slightly dodgy gearbox) but otherwise everything is rosy. I'd say that down a fast B road, I'm as quick on this thing as I was on the Tuono. I wouldn't mind but one of the reasons for changing bikes was to get something a bit more sedate!
I made a couple of mods, the aforementioned Akra, I've alo added a Sports Crud Catcher, courtesy of you know who.....the caliper covers and Wunderlich air intake covers (yes I did think about making my own but couldn't be arsed) and some Raguard er...... rad guards.
I'm waiting (patiently) for a MudSling and will probably get the wheels powder coated over the winter. I'm even thinking of getting panels in a different colour (BMW orange??!!), but all that can wait for the moment. I'm just going to get on and enjoy riding it (whilst acknowledging that like most things in my life, it's not perfect!)!!!
All in all, a very happy camper.
I only test rode this thing to rule it out of my thinking! I'd tried the Multistrada and KTM and was leaning towards the Duke. The big downside for me was chain drive. Why Ducati & KTM can't fit these bikes with shaft drive is a bit of a mystery.
So I nipped into Barrie Robson BMW for a quick test ride, two hours later, I come back with a big smile on my face and decide to do the deal.
I went for the TE in grey with an Akra pipe and had them leave off the sat nav bracket.
So what am I happy and not so happy about?
The engine is great, a broad spread of power and sounds great when it's on cam. The gearbox is a little hit and miss. Most times it's very smooth but every now and again it feels a little agricultural. If I hadn't been a member of this forum I'd put crap gear changes down to my lack of attention. I have noticed the drag when the engine is cold and will be keeping a close on it and the forum to see how others get on. I'm not suprised that a lot are unhappy. When you spend this kind of money, you shouldn't be getting these kind of issues. I don't buy the beta tester theory at all.
I've got an F10 520D, that was a brand new model when I got it and it's had zero issues. So no excuses BMW.
At first I was a little unsure about the riding position. Mostly on the position of the handlebars, they always felt a little too close to me. I was going to push them forward a little but I'm used to them now and happy. Of all the bikes I've owned this one requires more upper body input than anything else I've owned. To all those nay-sayers on counter steering, find a long constant radius conrner (obv. safe) and once into the bend, give the inside bar a little nudge forward and tell me counter sterring doesn't work!!!
Having seen a picture of the KMH clocks, I can't understand why they made our version so cluttered. Like a lot of other owners I'm also running the LCD speedo. But surely the best idea would be to make the clocks clearer and use the LCD for a KMH reading if required?
Switchgear seems fine, although the indicator switch feels a little fragile and a stretch away from the bar. Funnily enough, I was quite looking forward to getting used to the quirky BMW switchgear and then they go and change it!
I'm suprised how well the tyres (Anakee's) grip, despite picking up a puncture after 200 miles! They warm up quickly and don't seem to be showing much signs of wear. A bit different to the Super Corsas I had on my last bike. I thought I'd be swapping these for something a bit grippier before they were finished, but at the moment I'm more than happy to continue.
Despite what others say, I'm pleased with the riding modes. I acknowledge comments about throttle modulation and uneccesary complication, but coming from a bike that could be classed as analogue (Tuono) and then getting something totally removed from that (digital?) I find myself swapping between road and dynamic on a regular basis. On fast flowing A roads & motorways, ROAD alwys seems to suit the bike. On twisty B roads, DYNAMIC transforms the bike to the point where it feels like I'm riding something twenty kilos lighter with twenty more BHP. All in the mind? Probably, but it makes me happy. I haven't used RAIN or Enduro yet so I'm unable to oofer any insight.
So, overall I'm a very happy camper. A few odd niggles (clocks, slightly dodgy gearbox) but otherwise everything is rosy. I'd say that down a fast B road, I'm as quick on this thing as I was on the Tuono. I wouldn't mind but one of the reasons for changing bikes was to get something a bit more sedate!
I made a couple of mods, the aforementioned Akra, I've alo added a Sports Crud Catcher, courtesy of you know who.....the caliper covers and Wunderlich air intake covers (yes I did think about making my own but couldn't be arsed) and some Raguard er...... rad guards.
I'm waiting (patiently) for a MudSling and will probably get the wheels powder coated over the winter. I'm even thinking of getting panels in a different colour (BMW orange??!!), but all that can wait for the moment. I'm just going to get on and enjoy riding it (whilst acknowledging that like most things in my life, it's not perfect!)!!!
All in all, a very happy camper.
I've got used to the speedo numbers but agree far from ideal especially seeing the kmh speedo.
