2 weeks ago I went to Spain to meet up with friends from all over Europe and do some off road riding.
We had a blast - as you do whenever bikes are involved.
The meeting took place in Mijas near Malaga. The
Adventure Rider Centre supplied us with bikes and gear.
This was parked in a corner of the locker room:
It belonged to
AdventureSpec. Dave and Chris who owns the company was among the guys I was meeting up with.
The T7 was parked at ARC because Dave had just returned from a 5.000 km solo trip around Morocco on the bike. Dave is into light off road/trail bikes (his favorite bike at the moment is the CRF 450L). He was very impressed with the T7 - even though he found it too heavy for the really gnarly stuff he likes to ride - especially when he had to lift it up after a spill.
The days spend riding dirt (reminding me how much I like it) and Dave's review of the T7 combined with everything else I've seen/read/experienced with the bike (
I did a test ride last year), have finally pushed me over the edge - I want one.
I prefer to only own one bike at a time and I have a couple of trips coming up where the T12 is a better tool, so I'm not in a hurry to get the T7.
When I change bike I will also change my riding to include much more dirt - otherwise the change wouldn't make any sense, as the T12 is a better road bike.
As it is the light weight, nimbleness and off road manners of the T7 that attracts me, I will be very focused on keeping it as light as possible when I get one, and only add whatever accessories I deem absolutely necessary - no heavy crash bars or luggage racks - just proper handguards, a bash plate with better coverage (maybe carbon fiber/kevlar), shields to cover the engine and soft luggage (probably MM R80).
Just wanted to share my thoughts
Cheers
T