To my eternal shame my XC doesn't get used off road. Despite the fact that it was my original intention when I bought the thing it hasn't tasted dirt once.
I've really on done short solo road trips out on her and have avoided group rides with bigger bikes due to its low(ish) top speed and restricted overtaking ability. However I just wanted to mention what a hoot it was hanging out with the 'big boys' at the Salopian event last weekend. Fortunately there were a lot of B roads and the pace was rarely 'hot' but even on the faster roads I don't think I was holding anyone up, quite the contrary on a few occasions
Only slightly dodgy moments were running over the top from Bala to Penybont on the B4391 when the badly broken surface coupled with the undulations & slight wind meant I got a bit of a wobble on around 85+mph, could've been the big Tucano Urbano muffs too. Also on the same road hitting the better surfaced quick downhill sections you had to be a bit careful not to arrive at the corners too fast due to the single disc and the the soft front suspension combined with the rear air shock lifting. The 1200s were definitely better on the brakes
Saw 95+ a couple of times on even on the shorter gearing on smoother roads and when trying to keep up the immediate punch out of the corners made up somewhat for the lack of overall power.
All in all though she gave a bloody good showing........for a dirt bike
PS The ride back home in the dark was fekkin scary tho'....should've worn my headtorch
I've really on done short solo road trips out on her and have avoided group rides with bigger bikes due to its low(ish) top speed and restricted overtaking ability. However I just wanted to mention what a hoot it was hanging out with the 'big boys' at the Salopian event last weekend. Fortunately there were a lot of B roads and the pace was rarely 'hot' but even on the faster roads I don't think I was holding anyone up, quite the contrary on a few occasions
Only slightly dodgy moments were running over the top from Bala to Penybont on the B4391 when the badly broken surface coupled with the undulations & slight wind meant I got a bit of a wobble on around 85+mph, could've been the big Tucano Urbano muffs too. Also on the same road hitting the better surfaced quick downhill sections you had to be a bit careful not to arrive at the corners too fast due to the single disc and the the soft front suspension combined with the rear air shock lifting. The 1200s were definitely better on the brakes
Saw 95+ a couple of times on even on the shorter gearing on smoother roads and when trying to keep up the immediate punch out of the corners made up somewhat for the lack of overall power.
All in all though she gave a bloody good showing........for a dirt bike
PS The ride back home in the dark was fekkin scary tho'....should've worn my headtorch
