I went for a test ride this afternoon.
The dealer's bike is one affected by the valve guide issue and had a new engine fitted last week as a precaution and as a result there was a long quere witing to try it so i ended up with the last test of the day.
What an awesome bike.
I got a quick run through the controls, this bike was the fully Monthy with all the bells and whistles including the adaptive cruise control, electronic suspension, heated seats and grips, satnav etc etc. I didn't het the chance to test much other than the adaptive cruise control which i a very useful tool on motorways.
Anyway sitting on the bike, i was on tiptoes on the floor. I know it has an adjustable height seat so i assumed it was on the high setting (confrmed when i got back). Moving off slowly and had to do a tight u turn in the car park, which wasn't ideal when the biek is brand new to me and the floor was a long way down. Howevere the V4 engine is so tractable, it was a piece of piss.
My V2 Multi was always lumpy around urban areas and often needed to be in first gear at very low speeds, which mnade it a bit 'chuggy'. The V4 engine is very different, no issues low down in terms of smoothness and i reckon most corners i would be 2 gears higher than on the V2 and it pulls so easily and smoothly. It still has that lovely airbox growl when spinning it up though, very Ducatiesque in sound.
I took in on a route that included sharp 90 degree bends, long sweeeping bends, some dual carriageway and some urban areas. And in all situations the bike was just fantastic. Smooth, light for such a big bike and very easy to turn. There is no heavy lunge to get this one off the sidestand, its so well balanced.
Some reviews i have read said it was possible to ride at 80mph with the visor up because the screen was so good. Not sure i found that to to true at 80mph but certainly at 60mph it was no problem at all.
When i have a half day in the week, i will take the bike out again for another test just to confirm that it is as good as i thought it was. It felt like i could have rode it down to the South of France from the dealer right there and then. Its definitely a mile muncher, has more than enough power, is smooth without being dull, goes like stink when you want but will pootle about when you don't, the suspension just soaks up every single bump in the road and has real road presence. Just brilliant.
All that said, i got back on the Triumph to ride home and it felt like a moneky bike to start with, so small. But i gave it a proper thrashing going home and through the tight twisting bends it is just perfect. So much fun.
I think the Street and a V4 in the garage would be just perfect.
Anyone want to buy a kidney?