01-09-2018, 10:59 AM
I'm not really sure what I will focus on most when I ride it, or what might jump out at me. It's a finely tuned Honda, after all, which means it will likely function almost seamlessly, with nothing quirky to distract from the ride. Just smooth, predictable competency.
That whole "lack of character" nonsense, dontchaknow.
I guess I will look for a few things. One, how buzzy is it on the freeway at seventy-five mph? Two, how is the windblast at those speeds? Will I require a small flyscreen to be comfortable at seventy-five mph, or is there enough forward lean to obviate any need for one? Three, is it really as slow as some people say? I know it's going to seem anemic in comparison to the punch of the XSR900, but will it at least be similar to the T120, or will it be so gutless that it frustrates me, as in, "Seriously? I'll have to downshift twice just to zap a conga line of mobile homes on Hwy 395?" (Along those same lines, I'm curious to see what egleaves thinks of the XSR's acceleration, having now learned of his two previous bikes. All I can think there is, "WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T JUST WHACK THE THROTTLE WIDE OPEN!") Lastly, I want to see how much that rev limiter cutting in at 6K rpm in the top two (or is it the top three?) gears really annoys me. I've never owned a bike that did that, and it sure seems like it would be awfully annoying to be in fourth gear and accelerating, only to have it suddenly shut down on me at 6K.
Otherwise, I'm not going to push the bike hard enough to learn much about its handling. I know it's soft and heavy, and doesn't like sudden directional changes. That's fine. I'm looking at it for comfort, not for sporty handling.
That whole "lack of character" nonsense, dontchaknow.
I guess I will look for a few things. One, how buzzy is it on the freeway at seventy-five mph? Two, how is the windblast at those speeds? Will I require a small flyscreen to be comfortable at seventy-five mph, or is there enough forward lean to obviate any need for one? Three, is it really as slow as some people say? I know it's going to seem anemic in comparison to the punch of the XSR900, but will it at least be similar to the T120, or will it be so gutless that it frustrates me, as in, "Seriously? I'll have to downshift twice just to zap a conga line of mobile homes on Hwy 395?" (Along those same lines, I'm curious to see what egleaves thinks of the XSR's acceleration, having now learned of his two previous bikes. All I can think there is, "WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T JUST WHACK THE THROTTLE WIDE OPEN!") Lastly, I want to see how much that rev limiter cutting in at 6K rpm in the top two (or is it the top three?) gears really annoys me. I've never owned a bike that did that, and it sure seems like it would be awfully annoying to be in fourth gear and accelerating, only to have it suddenly shut down on me at 6K.
Otherwise, I'm not going to push the bike hard enough to learn much about its handling. I know it's soft and heavy, and doesn't like sudden directional changes. That's fine. I'm looking at it for comfort, not for sporty handling.