Collected Monday 4pm, now 400 miles in and first impressions are 'utterly fuckin brilliant'. Sure nothing is perfect and there are some niggles but then everything is a compromise.
Niggles
I preferred the the old indicator setup which is all the more relevant given that the gps wheel controller gets in the way sometimes. I don't see why you should have to compromise on something so essential as indicator operation - moving your hands off the bars is not 100% ideal. And, yes, I do have long thumbs!
The GPS obscures the top of the rev counter. No reason why it can't be 10mm higher, there is space under the screen even when at its lowest. Only a hassle when running TBH.
The [free] top box is way too small to be really useful. I'll be buying a new Givi 54 litre one so I can carry my laptop or put our helmets away. Of course I knew this, but free is free and I'll have a pristine one to hand over to the next owner.
Gearshift pro - this is pure shite. It doesn't work well on the upshift from 1st to 2nd, almost any time when you're taking it easy and downshifts are inconsistent. Result is I'm riding it as normal (upshifts: clutch when taking it easy, slight dip in revs and no clutch the rest of the time, Downshifts: clutch at all times) so I've paid £375 for a bit of plastic/electronics that I didn't want nor needed. Still, I got a really good deal so I'm not too worried. If anyone wants to offer me good money for it however ....
Good stuff
It is super smooth, handles a dream if a little slow on the flip from left to right (damper?) so a touch more input required which is no biggies. Seat is 200 miles comfy, I've been getting 48 mpg and I've not been taking it too easy
and the ESA makes for a comfier ride.
Riding modes:
Rain is smooth and sensible
Road is getting it on
Dynamic is really attack mode and
Enduro - I've not tried it yet - too scared until it's run in
Brakes
Just fantastic. smooth, progressive and predictable. I was coming down the A82 Loch Lomondside road (south towards Tarbet) and I was lucky enough to get a long clear run until I came round a corner at speed to find stopped traffic. Hard and sharp on with the brakes on damp roads and no dramas, it just stopped. The best I've ever ridden TBH.
No buffeting from the screen, the GPS gives crazy amount of info; volts, 14 different kinds of fuel consumption (I was doing 380mpg at one point!), 12 trip meters, 5 temperatures and pressures, willy size and 3 of next week's lottery numbers.
No question whatsoever that this is the best bike I've ever had. The only extras I'll need are head protectors (more against garage scuffage than dropping), a bigger topbox, ACF50 and possibly mirror extenders.
One question: The manual says you can't wheelie it - is this true?
) for a rack and a black outback trekker 58 litre box which is narrower and lower than my old plastic Givi Maxi 54 litre box but square so has more space inside.
