05-27-2015, 11:19 AM
Had to go out of town for a week, only two days after I picked up the bike. I had only managed to put on (200) miles before I left home. Just got back late this afternoon and got another (100) miles on it.
The bike is really superb. Comparing it to the CBR250R, you're giving up nothing but that last increment of lightness and agility...and the excitement of the free-revving thumper. What you're adding is more comfort, much more torque, and smooth refinement. I am enjoying the small niceties like the heated grips, gear indicator, emergency flashers, flash-to-pass high beam, and ambient temperature thermometer. The brakes are extremely stout and the "Forget About It" belt drive is simply welcome. I will say that the CBR gauge concept is superior: large tach with digital speedo. The GT has a small tach on the bottom, and then a large analog speedo that goes up way too high...resulting in lack of readability and precision.
One of the greatest features is the ESA. It allows you to change rear rebound damping on-the-fly between Comfort, Normal, and Sport. Works quickly and very much allows you to adapt the bike to the riding conditions. I was on a road that I thought might call for Sport, but the surface was fairly poor so I changed it to Comfort and the bike settled down and became less nervous.
The transmission is really exceptional. It shifts quickly and with a very positive feel and perfect smoothness. There's a definite clunk from Neutral to First when stopped but it doesn't bother me in the least.
The hard bags are awesome. Don't know how I ever lived without them...never going back. The clutch and front brake lever are adjustable but I have not played around with that feature yet.
I ordered the optional LED taillight. It's extremely bright and I feel good enough about its visibility that I may not need to install Hyper-Lites. I also ordered the extended rear mud guard. Looks OK in my opinion and is very practical.
Besides the instruments, so far my only "recommendations for improvement" would be to direct engine heat somewhere other than the rider's inner legs, and to use firmer foam in the seat. I can see a [url=http://www.sargentcycle.com]Sargent seat in my future.
The bike is really superb. Comparing it to the CBR250R, you're giving up nothing but that last increment of lightness and agility...and the excitement of the free-revving thumper. What you're adding is more comfort, much more torque, and smooth refinement. I am enjoying the small niceties like the heated grips, gear indicator, emergency flashers, flash-to-pass high beam, and ambient temperature thermometer. The brakes are extremely stout and the "Forget About It" belt drive is simply welcome. I will say that the CBR gauge concept is superior: large tach with digital speedo. The GT has a small tach on the bottom, and then a large analog speedo that goes up way too high...resulting in lack of readability and precision.
One of the greatest features is the ESA. It allows you to change rear rebound damping on-the-fly between Comfort, Normal, and Sport. Works quickly and very much allows you to adapt the bike to the riding conditions. I was on a road that I thought might call for Sport, but the surface was fairly poor so I changed it to Comfort and the bike settled down and became less nervous.
The transmission is really exceptional. It shifts quickly and with a very positive feel and perfect smoothness. There's a definite clunk from Neutral to First when stopped but it doesn't bother me in the least.
The hard bags are awesome. Don't know how I ever lived without them...never going back. The clutch and front brake lever are adjustable but I have not played around with that feature yet.
I ordered the optional LED taillight. It's extremely bright and I feel good enough about its visibility that I may not need to install Hyper-Lites. I also ordered the extended rear mud guard. Looks OK in my opinion and is very practical.
Besides the instruments, so far my only "recommendations for improvement" would be to direct engine heat somewhere other than the rider's inner legs, and to use firmer foam in the seat. I can see a [url=http://www.sargentcycle.com]Sargent seat in my future.