Collected my new bike on Tuesday, part ex'd my 1200ADV against it, I dropped the "old" bike off at the dealers inearly February I was slightly shocked when they announced it was sold and on it's way to it's new owner a little over a week later 
no changing my mind now, I was having doubts that I'd done the right thing.......
Last pic of thr old
First pic of the new;
It's a TE, in Blue as you can see, I wasn't wildly enthusiastic on any of the 3 colour schemes offered but this one has grown on me since seeing it at the NEC bike show last November, 2 additional extra's Top box and somewhat extravagantly an Akrapovic can, both were heavily discounted but neither were exactly a bargain either
Took it for a wee spin on Tuesday only around 100 miles or so
It's a great package, for me many things feel familiar; riding position, overall ergonomics etc. the handling and steering feel familiar the steering in particular feels lighter and slightly quicker and a touch more agile than the previous bike (I'm not going to use the planted word cos it's bollocks), the ride felt more compliant than the previous bike and is, I feel a big improvement, worthy of praise are the engine and it's power delivery, it's a peach, this doesn't feel like a new engine which needs miles to loosen up it feels eager and effortless from mile 1, it's no sports bike but it's easy to make rapid progress short shifting the gearbox without using the bigger no's on the tacho, also worthy of mention is the seat, after a short ride it felt every bit as good as my Tony Archer Gel pad modded seat on the 1200 twin cam, early days yet.....
The new toggle indicator switch proved less of an issue than I thought it might after 12 years on GS'
But it didn't stop me instinctively fumbling for the non existant indicator cancel button on the right bar
I found the time yesterday to fit a few extra's which should prove of some use, from Rugged roads I fitted a number plate splash guard thingummy
Also from Rugged roads I fitted a centre stand bash plate, I had something similar on my previous bike from Rugged roads, this version appears nicely made and better finished
And not forgetting a fender extender, very expensive for what it is
Finally, I couldn't resist, the OEM graphics did nothing for me
So with some help from my heat gun they were removed
And replaced with these
More pleasing to my eye
Looking forward to adding more miles over the weekend.
no changing my mind now, I was having doubts that I'd done the right thing.......Last pic of thr old
First pic of the new;
It's a TE, in Blue as you can see, I wasn't wildly enthusiastic on any of the 3 colour schemes offered but this one has grown on me since seeing it at the NEC bike show last November, 2 additional extra's Top box and somewhat extravagantly an Akrapovic can, both were heavily discounted but neither were exactly a bargain either
Took it for a wee spin on Tuesday only around 100 miles or so
It's a great package, for me many things feel familiar; riding position, overall ergonomics etc. the handling and steering feel familiar the steering in particular feels lighter and slightly quicker and a touch more agile than the previous bike (I'm not going to use the planted word cos it's bollocks), the ride felt more compliant than the previous bike and is, I feel a big improvement, worthy of praise are the engine and it's power delivery, it's a peach, this doesn't feel like a new engine which needs miles to loosen up it feels eager and effortless from mile 1, it's no sports bike but it's easy to make rapid progress short shifting the gearbox without using the bigger no's on the tacho, also worthy of mention is the seat, after a short ride it felt every bit as good as my Tony Archer Gel pad modded seat on the 1200 twin cam, early days yet.....
The new toggle indicator switch proved less of an issue than I thought it might after 12 years on GS'
But it didn't stop me instinctively fumbling for the non existant indicator cancel button on the right bar
I found the time yesterday to fit a few extra's which should prove of some use, from Rugged roads I fitted a number plate splash guard thingummy
Also from Rugged roads I fitted a centre stand bash plate, I had something similar on my previous bike from Rugged roads, this version appears nicely made and better finished
And not forgetting a fender extender, very expensive for what it is
Finally, I couldn't resist, the OEM graphics did nothing for me
So with some help from my heat gun they were removed
And replaced with these
More pleasing to my eye
Looking forward to adding more miles over the weekend.
