Picked up my 1299 today. I'm still speechless.
Discussion
I test rode a 1299S back in April and was so mega-impressed with the bike and the deal put in front of me (px my 1098, some cash, small monthly and a biggish balloon) that I bit and placed an order.
Well, I picked her up today and it just such a quantum leap forward from my (2007) 1098. Up and down the box without the clutch is magic, so are the almost seamless flatshifts. It's a technical tour-de-force that gives lots and lots of confidence - and with the most flickable chassis Ive ridden it feels like coming out of the dark ages.
It sounds ace and punches strongly from low rpm. It also (oddly) feels happy pootling along at 55 mph, which my old one didn't and might help the future life of my license. The riding position is just infinitely more comfortable.
Downsides: It run hot and will be horrible if all towns start getting 20mph speed limits (it's fine above 25 but blatantly crap under). Erm, that's it.
I'm very pleased.
Well, I picked her up today and it just such a quantum leap forward from my (2007) 1098. Up and down the box without the clutch is magic, so are the almost seamless flatshifts. It's a technical tour-de-force that gives lots and lots of confidence - and with the most flickable chassis Ive ridden it feels like coming out of the dark ages.
It sounds ace and punches strongly from low rpm. It also (oddly) feels happy pootling along at 55 mph, which my old one didn't and might help the future life of my license. The riding position is just infinitely more comfortable.
Downsides: It run hot and will be horrible if all towns start getting 20mph speed limits (it's fine above 25 but blatantly crap under). Erm, that's it.
I'm very pleased.
gwm said:
Your neighbours must love you with those two!
The quickshifter up and down - half throttle shifts it still manages to be smooth?
Half throttle, closed throttle, steady throttle - all buttery smooth. Some real clever electro-wizardry going on.The quickshifter up and down - half throttle shifts it still manages to be smooth?
@Bogie: its a *lot* more comfortable than my old 1098. Give it a whirl.
Well, mine's just gone past 700 miles and is loosening up nicely (service booked next week to drop the oil and tighten anything loose). A couple of observations coming from a 1098s
- Creamy power delivery with less brutal low-down torque to worry about and more screamy top-end
- Love/hate the wet clutch, much easier on my LH but struggling to feel the bite point makinbg me look like a poncy newbie when setting off with too much/too little gas
- Quickshifter down. How did I survive without out?
- Very comfortable. In fact the most comofrtably thing I've ridden.
- So very flickable, unbelievably so
- Brakes. Seriously impressive.
- 100-120 miles before the fuel light comes on, about 15/30 miles bettere than my (downgeared) old bike. And happy on 95 octane
- "Wet" mode for town/motoway/dull riding is ace and turns the rocket into a pussy cat
I've just spent 3 days rattling around Wales clocking up 800 miles with my bro' - nice a steady runs and was amazed at the fuel consumption, I saw 130 miles appear on one stint before the fuel light came on - that's about 35 miles than my old 1098. The computer (not sure if I am to believe it) was showing mid 40's.
(Caveat: lots of 5/6th gear roll on/off sweepers, kept the speed down and lots of short-shifting to hear the bangs and pops!)
(Caveat: lots of 5/6th gear roll on/off sweepers, kept the speed down and lots of short-shifting to hear the bangs and pops!)
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