- Joined
- Mar 17, 2025
- Messages
- 66
- Reaction score
- 161
Hi all
Firstly, many thanks to the many of you who helped me bring my new obsession home. It really did help
I've now owned it for 2 weeks and done around 600 miles on it (including the trip from Sussex to the West Midlands to bring her home). Various different routes and roads, using Calimoto, weekend warrior trips due to work.
When I arrived by train to collect it, the size caught me a little by surprise. Even though I've looked and sat on many in my research, it was still a bit overwhelming as it was mine. Had I made the right choice? Was this too big for a first bike? I sat on, started up and pulled it off the side stand and being an 18 stone, 6ft 1 bloke, the weight didn't seem an issue. Yes, it was heavy, but not to the point I felt like i was going to be dropping it at every junction. There was a split second moment where I almost pulled out of the sale but I'm so glad I didn't.
Niceties done, and it was time to leave. The sales guy was good enough to leave me and do it at my own pace. He advised me on a good long route straight out of the showroom, so I could get used to it, so that's what I did. I set off (didn't stall!) and 400 yards in and bang, it hit me, everything that everyone had suggested came true. The weight fell away, it was nimble, lots of torque when required, comfortable and just lovely to ride, even in Eco mode, which I was in for this journey, seemed the sensible thing to do. The anxious and panic-stricken face soon turned to a beaming smile and a few tears. After 3 years of waiting for this moment, I was beginning my new journey.
I did 20 miles and pulled into a Sainsburys car park. got off, drank plenty of water and called the Mrs to tell her I was still rubber side down (the packtalk edge was a lifesaver here as she wanted to check on me throughout my journey). It was a chance to re-compose myself and prepare for the next leg. I set Calimoto up the day before into legs so I could stop, reassess if required, grab a drink and go again. This was a 161 mile journey on my first bike, I wasn't taking any chances. The whole journey went without any concerns. A few dodgy experiences whilst I got used to it but nothing unsafe. Fatigue did start to set in towards the end so I re set sat nav to quickest route home before it became a problem.
Now after a few more miles, different roads and destinations, it still makes me smile. I came out of Eco mode last week and popped it in Road mode and to my surprise, I actually prefer it.
There is a few things I've spotted that I need to pay attention to:
Rear brake, I just can't get a feel for it. Whether thats me or the bike i'm not sure. Slow speed practice is planned in.
I think I have an aftermarket screen that is smaller than stock, wind buffeting is a small problem over 50mph, occasionally catches me off guard. I tend to lean into the bike when i'm at that speed. Again, it might just be me who needs to get used to it.
Its a pain in the ass having to get it in and out my shed, I have to manually push it around a lot, through 2 gates that are at 90 degrees to each other. I have got better each time I do it, but I did drop it at the first attempt (thankfully on grass!). Picking it up using the back to bike "leg lift" was easy enough. Centre stand dolly will help this a lot.
I stalled it once, the first time Hill assist came on. I think it might have thrown me off a bit. Either I need to get used to the function or disengage it.
Found out that top box/panniers will really help when you want to look around places and not carry your lid everywhere!
Other than that its amazing, even though its my first bike, every ride is better. Not once have i found the size or power to be a problem that makes me unsafe. It is literally smiles for miles. Plan now to get some Lone Rider semi soft luggage, go moto camping and improve my skill enough to take the wife or daughter as pillion. One step at a time.
Now I think back to the time when I booked my DAS and I was adamant I was getting a Kawasaki Versys 650. So glad I didn't
Firstly, many thanks to the many of you who helped me bring my new obsession home. It really did help
I've now owned it for 2 weeks and done around 600 miles on it (including the trip from Sussex to the West Midlands to bring her home). Various different routes and roads, using Calimoto, weekend warrior trips due to work.
When I arrived by train to collect it, the size caught me a little by surprise. Even though I've looked and sat on many in my research, it was still a bit overwhelming as it was mine. Had I made the right choice? Was this too big for a first bike? I sat on, started up and pulled it off the side stand and being an 18 stone, 6ft 1 bloke, the weight didn't seem an issue. Yes, it was heavy, but not to the point I felt like i was going to be dropping it at every junction. There was a split second moment where I almost pulled out of the sale but I'm so glad I didn't.
Niceties done, and it was time to leave. The sales guy was good enough to leave me and do it at my own pace. He advised me on a good long route straight out of the showroom, so I could get used to it, so that's what I did. I set off (didn't stall!) and 400 yards in and bang, it hit me, everything that everyone had suggested came true. The weight fell away, it was nimble, lots of torque when required, comfortable and just lovely to ride, even in Eco mode, which I was in for this journey, seemed the sensible thing to do. The anxious and panic-stricken face soon turned to a beaming smile and a few tears. After 3 years of waiting for this moment, I was beginning my new journey.
I did 20 miles and pulled into a Sainsburys car park. got off, drank plenty of water and called the Mrs to tell her I was still rubber side down (the packtalk edge was a lifesaver here as she wanted to check on me throughout my journey). It was a chance to re-compose myself and prepare for the next leg. I set Calimoto up the day before into legs so I could stop, reassess if required, grab a drink and go again. This was a 161 mile journey on my first bike, I wasn't taking any chances. The whole journey went without any concerns. A few dodgy experiences whilst I got used to it but nothing unsafe. Fatigue did start to set in towards the end so I re set sat nav to quickest route home before it became a problem.
Now after a few more miles, different roads and destinations, it still makes me smile. I came out of Eco mode last week and popped it in Road mode and to my surprise, I actually prefer it.
There is a few things I've spotted that I need to pay attention to:
Rear brake, I just can't get a feel for it. Whether thats me or the bike i'm not sure. Slow speed practice is planned in.
I think I have an aftermarket screen that is smaller than stock, wind buffeting is a small problem over 50mph, occasionally catches me off guard. I tend to lean into the bike when i'm at that speed. Again, it might just be me who needs to get used to it.
Its a pain in the ass having to get it in and out my shed, I have to manually push it around a lot, through 2 gates that are at 90 degrees to each other. I have got better each time I do it, but I did drop it at the first attempt (thankfully on grass!). Picking it up using the back to bike "leg lift" was easy enough. Centre stand dolly will help this a lot.
I stalled it once, the first time Hill assist came on. I think it might have thrown me off a bit. Either I need to get used to the function or disengage it.
Found out that top box/panniers will really help when you want to look around places and not carry your lid everywhere!
Other than that its amazing, even though its my first bike, every ride is better. Not once have i found the size or power to be a problem that makes me unsafe. It is literally smiles for miles. Plan now to get some Lone Rider semi soft luggage, go moto camping and improve my skill enough to take the wife or daughter as pillion. One step at a time.
Now I think back to the time when I booked my DAS and I was adamant I was getting a Kawasaki Versys 650. So glad I didn't
)
