I've learned that the shifter in new Guzzis tends to be pretty stiff but they don't take long to become smooth as butter. It shifts very nice and smooth without the clutch even though I do usually use the clutch to minimize wear.
Totally different exhaust sound and bike character, especially at idle. The air cooled pushrod 850 needs to warm for a minute before taking off, is a bit more throaty idle, and kinda has a bit of a cool left/right wobble.
So far:
This bike has yet to meet the curve it doesn't like. Even when cooking into one too fast, the lightness couple with great brakes means there's no drama. The one and only thing I miss from the Triumph is Hill Hold.
Every vehicle has a sweet spot and for this one it's 55-60 mph on two-lane roads. Doesn't matter if in 4th 5th or 6th, I just keep finding myself in that range. It also is like a much much lighter Tenere in doing SO well when you just want to idle along at barely a walk, which the Triumph can't do. Purely hypothetically and just for academic reasons to get to know the bike, I may possibly perhaps know what 90-95 looked like on the GPS (100+ indicated) a few times for periods of miles and the engine seemed to have plenty more to offer. (Hypothetically of course)
Seat doesn't let you move around too much but is surprisingly comfy for 2-3 hours. Going to try it without the butt stop.
Gets a bit tingly in the bars, pegs and seat when droning on a highway. Not bad enough to be a problem but you are aware of th vibration.
Engine really comes alive about 4-5000 but even just off idle it's a peach. No heat issues at all which was something I was worried about.
Put a little laminar lip on it and that's calmed down a lot of the helmet buffeting, which was pretty bad with the stock screen. I'll want to get something bigger for real trips but for most of my riding around here and on gravel I prefer the smaller screen. Rain protection is minimal at best, unlike the Tenere.
