I finally got down there, and got on the list, had the ride, such as it was, at 2:10PM. Got about a twenty minute spin in suburbs/urban sprawl. Quite warm, but even so, in that area, with that traffic,I did the ATGATT thing and roasted.
Going in, I really didn't know what to expect. I know what I hoped, but that often isn't reality.
What I started on, and grew up on, were the late sixties/early seventies Yamaha Enduros, and I still prefer that feel over all others. Well, it dawned on me about five minutes into the ride that what I was on was an overgrown Enduro or late seventies IT model, not the ergos of most modern bikes. Great! If nothing else, that put it in my top three, just for the ergos.
Here's my take:
- best seat I've sat on fitted to a modern bike in a long time. I doubt I'll have to change it.
- First gear is a tad high for my taste: slowest I could go was about 9-10 MPH. The ratios are quite far apart, it really is a wide ratio trans: no more drop two gears and gas it to pass. No need. The demo bike popped a lot at closed throttle at low revs, ran like it was pretty lean. Sort of like the rental car you get at the airport: has the maintenance done, but you can tell it is a rental car. Same thing here. It was a black one.
- The dash indication of estimated fuel mileage showed 48.7 when I got on, showed 48.6 when I got off. I'd say that was quite good for third gear suburban riding in start stop situations. I'll need a break before I'm forced to get a fuel stop.
- I'm somewhat short at 5'8", had no difficulty reaching the ground with my 30" inseam legs. Drastically better than my nosebleed WRR.
- The engine doesn't seem to care all that much which gear it is in. It does seem a bit peppier at 4K and above, but you can grunt away in too tall a gear, or two gears too tall, with no problem. It has plenty of getup and go, it just doesn't seem to by the sound and feel. Very relaxed power delivery, not frantic like a sport bike. I would guess that 6th gear will not be used much until out on open, high speed highways. My FZ will pul at 30 MPH in 6th, at 2000 RPM, but the ST seems to prefer a lower gear for that stuff.
- There were a few chances to use some throttle, not a handful, but about 1/2 to 3/4 on the short ride, and I closed up the slack in the group quite easily at 3500 RPM starting revs and pulled right up on the FZ8 guy.
- It isn't a sport bike in the cornering department, nor was it expected to be. The relaxed rake and long wheelbase could be felt on tight corners. The flip side of this was the stability when I was intentionally hitting any and all holes and bumps to test the suspension, which is quite plush. I would imagine that this will be a superior two up bike for any use. The suspension seems to be very good. Maybe something else I can leave as is.
What I wanted from this bike was a comfortable, capable, sturdy bike that could be just as good two up as solo, enough power to not only be capable and safe in tough situations, but with extra to keep the fun part of motorcycling. Good suspension, and great Ergos were a must. And the vibration can't put my old goat hands asleep. It doesn't.But i will remove the El-Crappo stock grips and replace them with the PG Dual Sport Grips that I have on everything else. I can deal with grips, it is changing the seat that I have a problem with.
Well, I have received not only all of that, but my old DT3's Ergonomics and feel as well:I consider this one of the absolute top points.
This is well worth the blind faith I put in it. I'm sold.
Now all it has to do is show up.
