Tim knew already, but keen eyes there JB.
Yes, that isn't my bike. Backtrack to early last week, when we recieved a recall notice for Denise's 650. I rang Chester Motorrad to arrange for the job to be done, they said it will take 20 minutes. "That'll be an hour!" says cynical me, then I get put through to Paul in sales, who offers us a 1200 WC for a couple of hours. Well it would be rude not to........
Originally Denise was going to come on the back, but as I said earlier, things conspired against that. It did mean I was able to be a little more, erm, aggressive with the right hand though.
When the first picture came out of the WC, I wasn't impressed, but having seen them in the flesh since they have grown on me. The fire engine red version that Paul brought round for me to try did look rather splendid. First impressions as I swung my leg over was that it was lower than mine, by just enough for me to be on the balls of my feet instead of my tip toes! The bars felt pretty good from the off, the seat seemed comfy, the only immediate issue was the horrid narrow pegs. As Paul was showing me the bewildering array of buttons at my disposal, another bike came round and I was in the way. I pushed the bike backwards from my seated position, and had a revelation. This was far easier to move than mine. I don't know the exact weights, and mine usually has panniers on, but it felt considerably lighter.
Thumbing the starter, the engine note was not too far removed from mine, helped no doubt by the non-standard Akra can. Slipping out of the car park, and up onto the motorway, I was struck by just how smooth the engine is, and how very willing! At motorway speed I set the screen just a couple of turns up from fully down, and then forgot about it. Perfect. Then went through town, stop start, slow speed manoeuvering, and filtering through traffic. Very well behaved, nicely balanced, and again this feeling of lightness.
Out onto the back roads, and then into the sticks. Bumpy, uneven tarmac, gravel and cowshit on apexes, tractors round blind bends. The usual riding that I love.
This is why I ride a GS, and this was most definately fulfilling the criteria! The riding position felt very similar to my own, maybe the pegs were slightly further back, and the bars a touch lower. Standing up on the pegs highlighted that difference, as I was having to bend down, whereas on mine I'm stood straight.
Worlds End, one of our favourites.
Deceptively slick.
Some rock for your roll.
Having satisfied my curiosity on the slower stuff, how about the more, erm, open roads?
Bloody Hell! I have always said that I have no need for more power, but having it is a whole heap of fun! And its so useable too, no nasty suprises, just oodles of grunt. I couldn't fault the delivery, it pulled from next to nothing, and span up towards the red line with no noticeable flat spots. The brakes were strong and sure, a little weird feeling the back brake pedal move when you are squeezing the front, but I'm guessing that's linked brakes for you. I tried to make the ABS work, but either I wasnt trying hard enough, or it is very good!
The bike seems more "flickable" than mine, whether that is less weight, or better distributed weight I'm not sure. It certainly took less effort to turn.
As I was running out of time, I rode back down the A55 at what I would consider to be a good motorway mile munching speed. Steady, relaxed, smooth. No buffeting from the screen, no complaints from the motor, no complaints from the pilot.
Paul was outside when I pulled back into the car park, and said he could see the grin on my face through the helmet. He wasn't wrong. I really enjoyed my afternoon, and was somewhat loathe to hand the keys back. I went with what I hoped was an open mind, but with some of the comments made on here lurking in the background.
I did change modes, I did play with the ESA, and I can see how all those could be useful, and how just as easily they could be ignored. How well all that technology will survive is what we will soon hear about.
The conclusion I came away with was that this was just like my GS, only better!
The jury's still out on the indicator switch though.
Mark
