So the new bike was delivered Good Friday to my work place where I could fit a couple of Farkles and give a really good treating of ACF50 before any exposure to the elements which I’d always planned on doing.
Circumstances meant it was Tuesday before I could do these so my first chance to ride was Tuesday evening, the anticipation from Friday had been immense, just like seeing presents under the Xmas Tree and having to wait to open them!! It was Dusk when I set off and here are my first impressions of the short thirty miles run that I did.
The GS that I’d test rode had a noticeable ‘clunk’ when engaging first gear and many others have described this trait too, mine doesn’t do this, yet? I say yet because the Dealer has rang me as I’m writing this to see how I’ve gone on and he said don’t judge that until after the 600 mile service and oil change? Anyone experienced this ‘clunk’ appear after first service that makes his comment relevant?
So an unfamiliar bike, brand new tyres, couldn’t accurately read the speedo (my eyesight) all meant I set off riding with extra caution in mind. I needn't have worried.
The torque was amazing. I found I had to be mindful of the change up from second to third using the clutch as I found the front wheel coming up if I ‘overdid’ the throttle. I moved onto using the Gear Shift Assist Pro that seemed to solve this happening for me. I can see this being amazing once I’m really used to the bike and I took to it really quickly. I still preferred using the clutch when changing down from second to first.
Compared to the VFR I’m used to riding I found that on a couple of occasions I was sliding slightly backwards on the seat so I will raise the back bar to see if that helps.
Out of the town and into the country roads and as the ride went on I have to say that the bike just inspired me with confidence and did what asked of it effortlessly. I’ve read people describe that the weight just disappears once in motion and boy they’re right, it proved so easy to handle. Riding a mixture of bends I was soon progressing round them the same as I’d normally ride.
Not being used to having a screen in my line of vision I did find the need to adjust my head angle at times to best judge oncoming traffic correctly though I think this was mainly down to combination of headlights/screen+visor/eyesight ‘affect’. I plan on changing the Standard Screen for a tinted one so maybe more thoughts needed as to what will be best suited. Maybe a prescription one? ☺
A word or two on the lights, I thought at one point someone was coming through on my inside at the first roundabout I encountered then I realised it was just the pitch from the auxiliary lights. “In the sticks” I flicked these on and off a couple of times and they do make a considerable difference on the country roads, Headlight & Main Beam both also very efficient.
Suspension was standard setup and gave a really good ride, I crossed a few temporary surfaces and purposely rode over a few road imperfections and these were all covered with no 'surprise' movements etc, again all re-assuring for a first outing.
Downside? The only thing that was any issue for me was not being able to read the speedo (due to my eyesight). I would much prefer that to be digital and display in the same size font as the gear indicator. I will have a play with the Display settings & Nav 5 as I know you can set it to show on those.
In summary, I have to say overall it was just brilliant and more than the odd ‘yee-hah’ left my lips!!
I arrived home beaming from ear to ear, knowing I’ve made a great decision to get the bike and wishing my daily commute to work was considerably more than the 5 miles that it is! I’m looking forward to some lengthy ride-outs and as I only used Road Mode trying out the others too.
P.S. as I know it’s Tropical (pardon the pun) for some, a word on the Heated Grips. Very rapid getting to temperature, too warm on the initial two dot setting, if I’d have put finger rolls in my gloves they would have been toasted by the time I got home ☺ so no problems with those!
Thanks again to many of you because reading the reports from this forum has definitely played a big part in making my decision in getting this bike.
Regards Jonno
Circumstances meant it was Tuesday before I could do these so my first chance to ride was Tuesday evening, the anticipation from Friday had been immense, just like seeing presents under the Xmas Tree and having to wait to open them!! It was Dusk when I set off and here are my first impressions of the short thirty miles run that I did.
The GS that I’d test rode had a noticeable ‘clunk’ when engaging first gear and many others have described this trait too, mine doesn’t do this, yet? I say yet because the Dealer has rang me as I’m writing this to see how I’ve gone on and he said don’t judge that until after the 600 mile service and oil change? Anyone experienced this ‘clunk’ appear after first service that makes his comment relevant?
So an unfamiliar bike, brand new tyres, couldn’t accurately read the speedo (my eyesight) all meant I set off riding with extra caution in mind. I needn't have worried.
The torque was amazing. I found I had to be mindful of the change up from second to third using the clutch as I found the front wheel coming up if I ‘overdid’ the throttle. I moved onto using the Gear Shift Assist Pro that seemed to solve this happening for me. I can see this being amazing once I’m really used to the bike and I took to it really quickly. I still preferred using the clutch when changing down from second to first.
Compared to the VFR I’m used to riding I found that on a couple of occasions I was sliding slightly backwards on the seat so I will raise the back bar to see if that helps.
Out of the town and into the country roads and as the ride went on I have to say that the bike just inspired me with confidence and did what asked of it effortlessly. I’ve read people describe that the weight just disappears once in motion and boy they’re right, it proved so easy to handle. Riding a mixture of bends I was soon progressing round them the same as I’d normally ride.
Not being used to having a screen in my line of vision I did find the need to adjust my head angle at times to best judge oncoming traffic correctly though I think this was mainly down to combination of headlights/screen+visor/eyesight ‘affect’. I plan on changing the Standard Screen for a tinted one so maybe more thoughts needed as to what will be best suited. Maybe a prescription one? ☺
A word or two on the lights, I thought at one point someone was coming through on my inside at the first roundabout I encountered then I realised it was just the pitch from the auxiliary lights. “In the sticks” I flicked these on and off a couple of times and they do make a considerable difference on the country roads, Headlight & Main Beam both also very efficient.
Suspension was standard setup and gave a really good ride, I crossed a few temporary surfaces and purposely rode over a few road imperfections and these were all covered with no 'surprise' movements etc, again all re-assuring for a first outing.
Downside? The only thing that was any issue for me was not being able to read the speedo (due to my eyesight). I would much prefer that to be digital and display in the same size font as the gear indicator. I will have a play with the Display settings & Nav 5 as I know you can set it to show on those.
In summary, I have to say overall it was just brilliant and more than the odd ‘yee-hah’ left my lips!!
I arrived home beaming from ear to ear, knowing I’ve made a great decision to get the bike and wishing my daily commute to work was considerably more than the 5 miles that it is! I’m looking forward to some lengthy ride-outs and as I only used Road Mode trying out the others too.P.S. as I know it’s Tropical (pardon the pun) for some, a word on the Heated Grips. Very rapid getting to temperature, too warm on the initial two dot setting, if I’d have put finger rolls in my gloves they would have been toasted by the time I got home ☺ so no problems with those!
Thanks again to many of you because reading the reports from this forum has definitely played a big part in making my decision in getting this bike.
Regards Jonno
