Yesterday I travelled 3 1/2 hours to the closest dealer to test ride their 950 demo.
I am 6'1" and tip the scales at 125kg. I have 50 years of motorcycling experience, having started very young, and I will confess to being a bit of a hooligan.
Before leaving the dealership I disabled all of the rider assist with the exception OF ABS which I set at 2 in sport mode.
My observations are as follows;
The rear suspension on the bike seemed to be at max preload, meaning the ride was less than comfortable, even with my fat arse on it. The engine accelerates nicely, and the brakes are delightful. That said, I was disappointed that the bike did not wheely without significant rider input. A bit of clutch in 2nd addressed that, but I felt a bit more torque in the midrange is needed.
I was surprised at the amount of vibration that could be felt both through the seat and the bars. My reference point for this statement is based on my previous VTR Firestorm. After 30 minutes my wrists were "tingling". I think that familiarity and some bar adjustment might result in me having a "lighter touch". Not a showstopper, but I had not expected it.
Handling felt sharp, and dropping it into a corner required little effort, and mid corner direction change was good, even with the rear suspension set too hard. I think that I will never be able to ride it to its limits, and that it requires someone far more skilled (brave?) than I to do so.
Overall the bike was confidence inspiring, and I look forward to being able to get one on some decent twisties, and also onto the gravel.
I am tossing between the RVE and the SP.
QUESTIONS
From what I read, there are many who feel the suspension is a bit stiff, especially the Marzochi variety, is the Ohlins setup worth the extra dough for the SP?
Understanding that my bulk is likely to be inhibititing wheelies under acceleration, what options exist to beef up the midrange?
Is the quickshifter really a value proposition?
Being 3 1/2 hours from the nearest dealer, what recommendations for paddock stands? I will need to ship the wheels back for new rubber as required?
Has anyone put wider bars on? I like the trail bike stance, but I found the mirrors useless as all I can see is my arms...
Has anyone fitted dual purpose tyres for playing on gravel? And if so, which ones and thoughts?
Cheers
Taz
I am 6'1" and tip the scales at 125kg. I have 50 years of motorcycling experience, having started very young, and I will confess to being a bit of a hooligan.
Before leaving the dealership I disabled all of the rider assist with the exception OF ABS which I set at 2 in sport mode.
My observations are as follows;
The rear suspension on the bike seemed to be at max preload, meaning the ride was less than comfortable, even with my fat arse on it. The engine accelerates nicely, and the brakes are delightful. That said, I was disappointed that the bike did not wheely without significant rider input. A bit of clutch in 2nd addressed that, but I felt a bit more torque in the midrange is needed.
I was surprised at the amount of vibration that could be felt both through the seat and the bars. My reference point for this statement is based on my previous VTR Firestorm. After 30 minutes my wrists were "tingling". I think that familiarity and some bar adjustment might result in me having a "lighter touch". Not a showstopper, but I had not expected it.
Handling felt sharp, and dropping it into a corner required little effort, and mid corner direction change was good, even with the rear suspension set too hard. I think that I will never be able to ride it to its limits, and that it requires someone far more skilled (brave?) than I to do so.
Overall the bike was confidence inspiring, and I look forward to being able to get one on some decent twisties, and also onto the gravel.
I am tossing between the RVE and the SP.
QUESTIONS
From what I read, there are many who feel the suspension is a bit stiff, especially the Marzochi variety, is the Ohlins setup worth the extra dough for the SP?
Understanding that my bulk is likely to be inhibititing wheelies under acceleration, what options exist to beef up the midrange?
Is the quickshifter really a value proposition?
Being 3 1/2 hours from the nearest dealer, what recommendations for paddock stands? I will need to ship the wheels back for new rubber as required?
Has anyone put wider bars on? I like the trail bike stance, but I found the mirrors useless as all I can see is my arms...
Has anyone fitted dual purpose tyres for playing on gravel? And if so, which ones and thoughts?
Cheers
Taz
