I just test rode it last night in Helsinki. Funny that it felt kinda lighter than a small block BH that I test rode 3 years ago, yet the big block feels a bit more clumsy. I was pumped with adrenaline after the test ride and man I would like to proceed to finish off the deal, but in all honesty I started to really doubt about its suitability for every day all purpose use.
Here's a list of things that make me doubt about it:
- Warming up the water and tranny for ~5 minutes every time you wanna ride
- 15L/100km consumption (no revving or burnouts!) of 98-octane fuel - and I ride about 30.000 km per season here = I'd spend ~7200€ only for gasoline per season IF I'd ride nice and easy
- kickstand doesn't lock to position, gotta park it really carefully and when idling on kickstand it has to be on slight uphill that it doesn't roll forward and tip over
- the weight and power of it doesn't seem to fit on any other than asphalt paved road
- no reverse gear, so no room for mistakes when parking it
- bottom of the bell housing is open, so even if I'd dare to ride a gravel road it'd be risky for the clocks and rotors and whatnot is exposed
If I could afford to keep my Harley bagger and buy this as a second bike I would have absolutely no doubts about it, but since I gotta choose between them I'm seriously thinking to cancel the deal and stick to my Harley until I have the extra money for a V8 bike.
Airdrie, Alberta Canada
