OK, took the new girl out for a spin today. Wasn't planning on it but the internet died so I couldn't get any work done anyway.
If anyone's interested, here's my impression after a lap of the old road:
- Wow, it's tiny. For some reason even though I knew the seat height was slightly lower than my old 636, it's a 1000cc so I expected it to be bigger. Felt tiny compared to my 636 and very light compared to my Z750 (which carries the weight high too).
- I can't believe they sold this from the factory with these brakes. They're useless! I may as well hold two sneakers against the disk, it'd probably slow down quicker
- Ouch. I felt every bump. Very hard suspension, and the roads around my area have lots and lots of bumps! Was very happy I wasn't packing two balls between me and the tank, I don't know how some of you managed.
- Love, love, love being back in the sportsbike riding position. I've been missing my abdominal workouts
- I've heard so many stories about litre sportsbikes being easy to toss away on corners if you weren't careful with the throttle, so I was super gentle... Then I was a little less gentle. Then I had some fun. Wow - lots of grinning going on inside my helmet. This bike is pure raw impractical fun I can't wait to see what it feels like when all semblance of gentleness gets thrown out the window
- Maybe I'm riding it wrong and have to get used to a ten, but I think mine has too many gears! I'm not sure what I was supposed to be doing with half of them. On the 636, every gear has a purpose and I was always dancing up and down the gearbox in the twisties. 1st was easy - taking off and getting to the chosen speed. 2nd was occasionally used to get to my chosen speed sedately and leisurely. 6th I used once I'd reached my chosen speed and was cruising. Not sure what I was supposed to be doing with 3rd, 4th & 5th?
And here's another pic