So after I screwed up meeting with some friends for some dirt trails, I decided to head over to NOG to check out the new 12.
As ever, the guys at NOG did a great job of making everyone welcome, even someone who turned up covered in mud! As well as free drinks, there was a free fish and chip van and as much tea, coffee or soft drinks as you can manage. As well as full compliment of sales staff, all the bike tech were there too - which meant you could have a conversation about the bike without feeling any sales pressure. And being the fine chaps that they are, they even found a test ride slot for me, even tho I hadn't booked.
As others have said - the bike looks really well thought out and very high quality. On the go, it feels great! Very smooth, light clutch, easy gearbox - and pulls like a train. And the new fairing is remarkable - looks no bigger, in fact possibly even smaller than the old GS fairing and yet the wind protection was tremendous, with negligible buffeting. As far handling goes - it was remarkable just how quickly you find yourself throwing it in to bends as if you've been riding it for years. Hugely confidence inspiring and very flickable. And despite trying very hard to disrupt the flow, the bike maintained it's composure very well.
In terms of ergonomics - seat height was too low, but then I'm coming from a GSA and HP, and the seat may well have also been on the low setting. And the bars seem low for standing up - could just need getting used to, or some risers. Also, I'm not sure... but the seated position felt slightly forward, more leaning over the front wheel.
The whole package just feels fast and light, and with that fairing super comfortable. So go ride one! And if you have a choice - go see the guys at North Oxford, top chaps!
As ever, the guys at NOG did a great job of making everyone welcome, even someone who turned up covered in mud! As well as free drinks, there was a free fish and chip van and as much tea, coffee or soft drinks as you can manage. As well as full compliment of sales staff, all the bike tech were there too - which meant you could have a conversation about the bike without feeling any sales pressure. And being the fine chaps that they are, they even found a test ride slot for me, even tho I hadn't booked.
As others have said - the bike looks really well thought out and very high quality. On the go, it feels great! Very smooth, light clutch, easy gearbox - and pulls like a train. And the new fairing is remarkable - looks no bigger, in fact possibly even smaller than the old GS fairing and yet the wind protection was tremendous, with negligible buffeting. As far handling goes - it was remarkable just how quickly you find yourself throwing it in to bends as if you've been riding it for years. Hugely confidence inspiring and very flickable. And despite trying very hard to disrupt the flow, the bike maintained it's composure very well.
In terms of ergonomics - seat height was too low, but then I'm coming from a GSA and HP, and the seat may well have also been on the low setting. And the bars seem low for standing up - could just need getting used to, or some risers. Also, I'm not sure... but the seated position felt slightly forward, more leaning over the front wheel.
The whole package just feels fast and light, and with that fairing super comfortable. So go ride one! And if you have a choice - go see the guys at North Oxford, top chaps!
But I dropped the bar risers off today, so they'll be fitted when I pick the bike up
