Sig change

It's big, it's black and it's sooooo Honda. The black is metaflake and looks
really cool in the spring sunshine. The engine is huge and dominates the
bike, but you only notice the weight when putting it onto the mainstand.

I felt at home pretty quickly despite the dramatic transition from a five
year old high mileage Fazer with bouncy rear suspension and soft clutch
(took me a couple of goes just to launch the honda off the dealer forecourt,
so sharp was the clutch). The throttle has much shorter travel than I'm used
to and there is power everywhere but it's really smooth when you get used to
it.

The bike has only done 1800 miles and it still feels tight. Despite that a
quick whoosh up to 100 demonstrated that the riding position and screen
height is about right for fast cruising. The pegs feel further back than the
Fazer and the fairing offers slightly less protection which keeps the weight
off the wrists. The mirrors are a major leap forward over the fazer, which
is nice.

The lack of revs is a bit of a culture shock as I was warned and yes it is
too quiet. The cubby holes in the fairing are about big enough for my
sandwiches.

That is all.

 

I know everyone hates Honda but I really like these. Trouble is, the
pillion seat to peg distance looks quite short which pretty much rules
it out for me. Shame really, because it would be on my list of
potential 'Busa replacements otherwise.

 

I forgot to say that the seat is very wide. The pillion seat wider still and
the grab rail is pretty substantial. If I was you, I'd try and get a test
ride.

 

Funny that. I was sitting next to one at the lights last week, and
thinking: "It's a bit of me, is that."

Except that the Honda I *really* want is that new CB1100R, that they
refuse to build.

 

Well we did have a sit on one in a dealer which did give some
indication but a test ride would probably be a good idea. Considering
a Bandit 1250 or possibly Sprint ST as alternatives.

 

Yep, best bang for the buck in that market, I reckon. Hopefully should
be taking one for a spin next weekend. 2008, 2.5K miles, £4699 from a
main dealer. They're offering £2,800 on my 2000 25K 'Busa too which I
thought was reasonably generous.

 

you've actually asked them, then?

 

Oh yeah. Offered them some Werthers an' all.

 

I really, really, rate mine. As I was saying to Hog in the pub the
other night, I feel like I should just pick a direction and "go
somewhere" because I've got a bike like that. There's a couple of
pre-reg ones on Autotrader at the moment for under 6 grand.

 

Sounds promising. What's the handling like?

 

Very good. It's no GSXR which is obviously the only thing I can
compare it to, as I've never had another tourer.

With the full set of luggage fully packed and a tank bag on, it's
fine, doesn't feel like it's going to tip over in corners, extremely
stable cruising at up to a hundred, haven't gone above that. Have
ridden it fully loaded with camping gear through nadgery little
gravelly lanes in the Lakes in the pissing rain without the slightest
concern. You actually feel like you can stand up on it and let it
work under you, motorcross style.

I took it out for a general ride last weekend, which was actually the
first time I'd ridden it purely for fun with no luggage on, as the
GSXR hadn't yet been taxed. It's not fast by any stretch of the
imagination, giving only 100bhp or so, but it's got loads of torque so
you can swan out of corners just by opening the throttle. Overtakes
are equally leisurely. With the new Pilot Road 2s on, it's very
surefooted, I can happily sling it on its ear, and don't feel like I
need to hang of like a monkey. Standard Dunlop D218 tyres were not as
confidence giving but did ok for 6000 miles of motorway over the
winter.

I've made a few tweaks to mine, touring Scotoild, handguards from the
V-Strom, hugger and fender extender, heated grips, power socket, and a
slightly taller screen. I can see it getting some serious mileage put
on it over the next couple of years.

If it had another 50 bhp, it'd be perfect.

 

I hired a Guzzi Breva 1100 with full luggage while in Italy a couple
of years ago. Mountain harpins in the wet 2-up were not fun because of
exactly that tendency to flop onto its side at low speed. It was also
properly gutless, but that's another story.

Sounds like pretty much what I'm looking for.

As per your previous comment, I'm hoping to actually go places if I
end up with something with more of a touring focus. The SO copes with
the 'Busa okay but it's just too cramped for long distances (mainly
for her but also for me to an extent).

This is my one area of concern but I honestly wonder how much
difference it'll make to me since I tend to ride the torque, short-
shift and chug along in high gears for the most part.

Thanks for the review. Very helpful!

 

I don't miss the fact that it doesn't have it. I've not been stuck
for an overtake, and for pottering up and down motorways, the power is
fine.

Oh, and if you're interested, it's averaged 46mpg over the last 6000
miles, and has cost about 16p per mile (including servicing and
tyres).