Has a midlife crisis struck?

DaveH · September 13, 2015, 06:54:39 AM

Cracking looking machine

Carbon_ZX6R · September 13, 2015, 06:58:56 AM

Very nice! And may I say those are some fine spokes indeed......

Chojin · September 13, 2015, 08:30:25 AM

Ohhhh that's very nice!

It's making think I've gone for the wrong bike

terry950sm · September 13, 2015, 10:02:32 AM

Looks a nice bike

tucola · September 13, 2015, 12:25:46 PM

QuoteIt's making think I've gone for the wrong bike

Don't panic! You're going to love the GS - they're fantastic bikes.

And thanks for the compliments to the bike, all - I think I'm going to like it!

"Purposeful looking" sums it up, Alzo. Keeping the Panigale for Summer/hooning/generally looking gorgeous duties!

Chojin · September 13, 2015, 12:40:39 PM

best crack out the ACF50 on those spokes

tucola · September 13, 2015, 04:48:33 PM

Got up on the pegs today and took it down a local by-way to off-road christen it!

Seems more than capable enough to handle anything I'm likely to want to do on it.

Ruts, slopes both up and down, tree-roots, mud, gravel.

Off-road TC/ABS setting seems very effective.

Had my heart in my mouth, I must say, when I left the B653 and set off down what looked essentially like a footpath! First time I've ever been off-road on a bike that I actually own.

Properly buzzing now having taken that on and brought it home in one piece though!

Chojin · September 13, 2015, 04:57:05 PM

S'good fun, no?

I'd be shitting myself about dropping it.

Are those conti trail attacks? Were they ok off tarmac?

tucola · September 13, 2015, 05:10:33 PM

Bridgestone Battle Wings.

Coped with that trail absolutely fine.

Fairly dry conditions though.

In proper mud you might want knobblies.

But the role of this bike for me is essentially on-road commuting and central London wrangling, plus occasional more rural mucking about, for which these tyres seem like they're going to be absolutely fine.

Jarse · September 13, 2015, 08:30:02 PM

Very nice tucola.

tucola · September 14, 2015, 09:16:22 PM

Did a sneaky public by-way in the dark on the way home tonight to try my riding lights off-tarmac.

Ha!

Great fun...

Different kind of fun.

But really enjoying it so far.

Now, note to self, don't bite off more than you can chew and end up dropping it!!

Chojin · September 14, 2015, 10:14:39 PM

Solo night laning? Good work, sir.

I have to say it sounds like you're having a shit-tonne of fun on it already!
How does it compare to the KTM 250's? Clearly a different beast altogether, but does that make it any less fun?

Dom1 · September 14, 2015, 10:25:36 PM

Let me know if you fancy a bit of laning down this way Tucola.

tucola · September 14, 2015, 10:33:09 PM

Does feel big and heavy compared with the KTMs, which were thoroughbreds and I'm sure capable of far more than we actually did on them on that day out.

So control is less precise and more just "point it in the right general direction, stick it in 2nd gear, and keep it rolling".

Same technique as with a 1200 GS.

But if you do that, it's surprising what they'll just keep rolling over.

And there's a nice transgressive feeling of "I cannot believe that I just went down that on what is essentially my road bike".

Also, much more comfortable on the tarmac in between lanes and in general on-road use, of course (heated grips, heated seats on the XCA!).

Next investment may have to be a power-washer, however...

tucola · September 14, 2015, 10:37:24 PM

QuoteLet me know if you fancy a bit of laning down this way Tucola.

Sounds good, although if I get myself back down that neck of the woods, I'd be tempted to hire a KTM again so we could do some proper stuff!

Just mucking about around the edges with this, really, and suspect that on proper mud I'd soon get out of my depth on these tyres and carrying this much weight.