The Hobbit
Registered user
Finally got to take out a LC for a decent run, about 140 miles 2 up in mixed cold weather. It was a red touring, normal height but with the low seat.
Fist impression just starting is that it is noticeably taller than my low TC and starting it is a bit less of an event, it whirs over sweetly and starts more like a jap bike, where my TC really lets you know there is plenty of mechanical ‘stuff’ going on.
After a few miles getting use to it, I was a little surprised by the similarity more than the difference, it’s a bit more stable at walking pace and much more refined (although I prefer the noise of the TC), the screen is much better and those tiny hand guards work well. Power, as expected is notably brisker, although very low rev ‘gruntability’ is not as good, but it only had 500 miles on it. Hole @ 5k in the torque curve is pretty much gone, which is nice, but it does rob you a bit of that ramp you get on the TC.
When trying the different modes we came to the conclusion that for 2 up, low rev high gear stuff, I actually prefer rain mode. You get more feel as to what is going on.
Suspension is very good, but then so is the TC, but the low seat is miles better for my arse. My other half feels that for a pillion its similar, but the seat is a tadge harder.
I like the new dash, and the controls are very light and feel high class, but would have preferred to keep the old indicator switches. Brakes are fantastic
I tried the cruise, and it works well although turning it off @ motorway speads takes a bit of getting use to as you slow down pretty rapidly!.
So conclusion was that I would continue with my order, as it suites my current situation, and hopefully will be the proud owner of a red one by the end of April.
BTW: I also tried a 12 explorer the same weekend as a bench mark, and apart from being a bit big for me is a nice bike, and well worth a try if you are in the market.
Fist impression just starting is that it is noticeably taller than my low TC and starting it is a bit less of an event, it whirs over sweetly and starts more like a jap bike, where my TC really lets you know there is plenty of mechanical ‘stuff’ going on.
After a few miles getting use to it, I was a little surprised by the similarity more than the difference, it’s a bit more stable at walking pace and much more refined (although I prefer the noise of the TC), the screen is much better and those tiny hand guards work well. Power, as expected is notably brisker, although very low rev ‘gruntability’ is not as good, but it only had 500 miles on it. Hole @ 5k in the torque curve is pretty much gone, which is nice, but it does rob you a bit of that ramp you get on the TC.
When trying the different modes we came to the conclusion that for 2 up, low rev high gear stuff, I actually prefer rain mode. You get more feel as to what is going on.
Suspension is very good, but then so is the TC, but the low seat is miles better for my arse. My other half feels that for a pillion its similar, but the seat is a tadge harder.
I like the new dash, and the controls are very light and feel high class, but would have preferred to keep the old indicator switches. Brakes are fantastic
I tried the cruise, and it works well although turning it off @ motorway speads takes a bit of getting use to as you slow down pretty rapidly!.
So conclusion was that I would continue with my order, as it suites my current situation, and hopefully will be the proud owner of a red one by the end of April.
BTW: I also tried a 12 explorer the same weekend as a bench mark, and apart from being a bit big for me is a nice bike, and well worth a try if you are in the market.
