Mine's a 2020 model. One of the last to be built in Austria, not China. I love it. It's such good fun. But I have had to change a few things to get it how I wanted. I had the Akra end can fitted as standard and had the rear pegs removed and fitted a seat hump. I had my Zumo XT mount hard wired.
First things to go were the OE tyres and brake pads. The tyres were totally lacking in feedback, with hard walls and little give. They were binned for Metzeler Roadtecs on Giles' advice. Brake pads were binned for Brembos and these 2 changes transformed the bike. I also added a flyscreen.
A booster plug was fitted in an attempt to sort low speed fuelling. It has helped but a remap would be better.
Handling was still in need of improvement. I am a big lad and the unadjustable front and pre load only rear wasn't coping well with Dorset's lanes, so I had K-Tech fitted. The front has their 20IDS cartridge kit and the rear has a Razor-R fully adjustable unit set for my weight. Wow. I'm no knee down rider but the difference is huge. It floats over bumps and sticks like, er, sticky stuff.
It's no tourer, although I have done a 250 mile trip on it. I don't really want to do another. It's perfect for Dorset's lanes and A/B roads. We don't really do dual carriageway here and no motorway. Mid sized bikes are perfect. I have no interest in fuel consumption. I has the full electronics package. Superb up and down quickshifter, launch control, etc. Acceleration is brisk, top speed (135ish) is irrelevant, comfort is adequate, handling is excellent, it sounds great, finish is good, orange rear wheel is a bugger to keep clean.
I rate it very highly, now I almost have it how I want it. I have had no problems with it, but the mileage is low as I bought it during lockdown and injury has prevented me from riding for a while. My gut feeling is that, when looked after, it will stay reliable. A remap will come next.
Am I glad I bought it? Oh, yes. It's brilliant and was better than the alternatives in 2020. Is it better now? I'd have a good look at the Triumph 765 R Street Triple if I was buying new. The latest 790 Duke is down on power compared with mine, 105bhp down to 95bhp and doesn't come with the full electronics. I'd go for an older, better and cheaper 2020 model.
B
