Foisted some coffee and freshly baked strudel on him and we stuck all my gear into the boot and then tootled along. Great to be able to talk to someone about the various forums, the way they worked, the memorial side of it and just people in general. This is why the forum works, it is backed up by nice, genuine people.
He kindly gave me a full walk around on the bike, pointing out its different features and how to play with the various buttons. I left it in "Comfort" for the start. We did "sell bike, register new owner and tax it" all online and done in around 5 minutes. So easy and simple, even on phones.
Then it was a case of get geared up and ride my first bike with a clutch in around 3 years! The DCT has spoiled me. Suffice to say it probably sounded like a learner rider for the first few gears, but no stalling and within 5 miles I was used to both the indicators and using a clutch again. I stopped to fill up, even though it had enough fuel to get home, and treated it to some VMax juice.
What can I say about the bike. Well, you are aware that there are a sizeable sum of horses residing in the bowels of this teutonic meister. There is a definate urge and ease of making progress. Even just getting on to the slip road and leaning into the corner and gently opening the throttle in 5th saw me easing past 70 in a 50, so I backed off and eased back down and joined the traffic smoothly, making progress comfortably. I did try Sport mode for a bit, but stuck it back into Comfort as it was nice and supple.
I had to get used to the power delivery, particularly as this is my first shaft drive. Smooth, but felt "grumbly" off the revs, but not in a bad way. Just had to get used to the feel and the character. I did have a brief "lets see what this can do" in 3rd for fun and it certainly does move rather rapidly, but in a controlled and stable way. There is a surge at after 9k and you are encouraged to hold on firmly! This could be addictive!
I went from the M25 into Croydon and then to West Wickham so my brother could have a drool. He likes the bike all to much and I'll have to give him the keys at some point for him to experience it. I was used to the feel of the bike by then and it was perfectly behaved through traffic and I was at ease filtering through smaller gaps and so on.
What a great way to end the day riding something that is fun, interesting and just nice to enjoy. Ticks the boxes for now and I am sure to get used to the way it goes.
Bike is now in bed.
I'd much rather have one of these than a hayabusa or zzr. Just seem so bonkers for a naked.
You'll never get it mixed up with anything else!