Philip
Guest
Just returned from a 1500 mile 3 day excursion around some twisty Scottish roads so thought would give some feedback on the bike
Bad points
Got soaked - neck to toe x 5 (twice in one day is a real pisser) - zero storm protection from screen - but so what, handles great in the wet.
Seat - a bit of a sore ass, but less so each day. don't think the seat is breaking in but my backside clearly is. The seat was my worry before the trip but didn't turn out to be a real problem - overall comfort was very very good.
Wind noise - again was a concern before the trip but well fitted 28 pence ear plugs and screen second notch from top was fine up to 85.
slightly rattly screen developed after about 500mls - noticed at low revs when accelerating- think it is the retainer srew at the front which has now been tightened and seems ok now.
Possibly prefer slightly bigger diameter bar grips - but this is nit picking.
Engine, not the smoothest, reviest engive to be fair but when in its range it was fine with enough grunt for me. Rolling it on through bends in a relatively high gear was great, particularly since the fueling was sorted at the first service.
Cleaning - it takes much longer than my previous bikes.
Good points
Corner speed - it tracks as if on rails, and stays very settled on bumpy roads - went into a fast tight left hander cranked right over as far as I dared and hit some unexpected bumps (road surface broken up but not loose) mid bend - the front moved out very slightly and gave lots of feel through the bars - the bike just shrugged it off. The vfr was well down on corner speed by comparison, the 12 murderred it on the bends - wet and dry, with my mate complaining firstly of a worn back tyre which then changed to a general lack of confidence. Says it all. he could not believe that the skinny back "trail" tyre gave so much grip. (dunlop trailmax).
Confidence - the bike feels very planted in all situations and isn't hard to ride quickly even after a long day in the saddle.
Panniers - stayed waterproof, even through the downpours. Exposed engine - good for drying out soaked gloves - or at least making them bareable when putting them back on when wet.
Engine - for twisty roads - 5th and 6th were fine for rolling between the bends - when very tight 4th may be needed. Getting to like the engine but was left for dead when my travelling companion opened up (to the red line) his vfr on the straights. Balls out the gs would stay with the vfr800(with vtec) on the shorter straights but its not a pleasent experience and doesnt suit the bike - nice to know the top end power is there but now prefer to use the torque fom 3500 to about 6500. Engine great for cruising at 90+ when using the motorway/A roads with hardly noticeable vibration through the bars/pegs.
Telelever front end and lack of dive - fabulous - the bike does't even sit up mid bend, if ever you do bottle out, or meet an obstacle!
Suspension - rear was great - smooth ride with no wallow - how do they do it. Front - felt harder, great with full tank of gas and gps on the bars but when run to near empty on rough roads, felt a little more vibration/harshness - but this is not something I would complain about given the overall feel of the bike handling wise.
Got about 230mls to a tank.
Used very little oil
I could go on!
Overall, this bike is well up to the job. It's got everything needed for a fast, fun long haul trip (as well as short) with both comfort and handling that will get you searching out those challenging roads and leave a big smile on you face at the end of it. Top bike.
Bad points
Got soaked - neck to toe x 5 (twice in one day is a real pisser) - zero storm protection from screen - but so what, handles great in the wet.
Seat - a bit of a sore ass, but less so each day. don't think the seat is breaking in but my backside clearly is. The seat was my worry before the trip but didn't turn out to be a real problem - overall comfort was very very good.
Wind noise - again was a concern before the trip but well fitted 28 pence ear plugs and screen second notch from top was fine up to 85.
slightly rattly screen developed after about 500mls - noticed at low revs when accelerating- think it is the retainer srew at the front which has now been tightened and seems ok now.
Possibly prefer slightly bigger diameter bar grips - but this is nit picking.
Engine, not the smoothest, reviest engive to be fair but when in its range it was fine with enough grunt for me. Rolling it on through bends in a relatively high gear was great, particularly since the fueling was sorted at the first service.
Cleaning - it takes much longer than my previous bikes.
Good points
Corner speed - it tracks as if on rails, and stays very settled on bumpy roads - went into a fast tight left hander cranked right over as far as I dared and hit some unexpected bumps (road surface broken up but not loose) mid bend - the front moved out very slightly and gave lots of feel through the bars - the bike just shrugged it off. The vfr was well down on corner speed by comparison, the 12 murderred it on the bends - wet and dry, with my mate complaining firstly of a worn back tyre which then changed to a general lack of confidence. Says it all. he could not believe that the skinny back "trail" tyre gave so much grip. (dunlop trailmax).
Confidence - the bike feels very planted in all situations and isn't hard to ride quickly even after a long day in the saddle.
Panniers - stayed waterproof, even through the downpours. Exposed engine - good for drying out soaked gloves - or at least making them bareable when putting them back on when wet.
Engine - for twisty roads - 5th and 6th were fine for rolling between the bends - when very tight 4th may be needed. Getting to like the engine but was left for dead when my travelling companion opened up (to the red line) his vfr on the straights. Balls out the gs would stay with the vfr800(with vtec) on the shorter straights but its not a pleasent experience and doesnt suit the bike - nice to know the top end power is there but now prefer to use the torque fom 3500 to about 6500. Engine great for cruising at 90+ when using the motorway/A roads with hardly noticeable vibration through the bars/pegs.
Telelever front end and lack of dive - fabulous - the bike does't even sit up mid bend, if ever you do bottle out, or meet an obstacle!
Suspension - rear was great - smooth ride with no wallow - how do they do it. Front - felt harder, great with full tank of gas and gps on the bars but when run to near empty on rough roads, felt a little more vibration/harshness - but this is not something I would complain about given the overall feel of the bike handling wise.
Got about 230mls to a tank.
Used very little oil
I could go on!
Overall, this bike is well up to the job. It's got everything needed for a fast, fun long haul trip (as well as short) with both comfort and handling that will get you searching out those challenging roads and leave a big smile on you face at the end of it. Top bike.
