Extended Test Ride on Gen 2

[Belco100]

Went out on an extended Test Ride on a Gen 2 while my K16GT was being serviced, but my thoughts are compared to my Gen 1 Triple Black.

First thing, looks. I am just starting to get used to the Gen 2s looks, and they have grown on me. This model was red with a full Carbon pack and forged wheels and I quite liked it - but it does look a little hunch backed. Loved all the gadgets, dash, Hill Hold, keyless etc, and Dynamic Pro has plenty of options, I set it for max power in all gears, max response, min engine breaking but road wheelie and ABS (my test ride had a £1k excess on me, so being a bit careful). And just sitting on the bike, my legs didn't feel quite as tucked in with my knees sticking out further.

So off riding; it felt very smooth compared to mine, and quiet And I have gone back to standard headers but with no acoustic insert etc. Where mine with the Akra end can seems to roar when opened up, this one was, well, just smooth and quiet. You don't even get the pops and bangs in Dynamic mode anymore. Can't really say anymore. Suspension was nice, but not hugely different, and the riding position I found was a little more sporty - bars slightly shorter and less GS like, but again, not hugely different when on the move. It had a tall screen on, but compared to my MRA on mine it was a bit noisy in both positions. There were no vibrations at all, I had a short test on one before I got my Triple Black and was convinced that the seat on that had vibrated, but nothing on this one. One thing that really impressed me was the brakes - the Hayes ones. I had them on my GSA and they were OK on that, but these are like hitting a wall. I played with them when in the Sport menu and was trying to hit 10m/s while braking (1G) - made the hazards come on several times but never quite got in the 10s, and  the ABS never kicked in that I noticed either. I don't think that proves anything, but was fun anyway. Engine felt pretty similar to mine, but it does seem to bog a little bit at low revs, but once above about 3,500 rpm it felt fairly strong. I had "Harry's Dyno" still set up on my phone so ran that, slightly slower than my Gen 1, but it might be slightly higher geared in top? I had a good run out and really started to enjoy the bike, but then after around 90 mins riding I found the seat started to dig into the underside of my legs, and this started getting quite painful and really would need sorting - my Gen 1 is so comfortable I can ride hours without problems.

Harry's Dyno - 30mph to 80 mph roll on in top gear with me on it (260lb+)

Stock Gen 1:           7.94s
Tweaked Gen 1:     7.45s
Stock Gen 2:           8.53s

So, back at the BMW dealers I thought I would look at the figures for a trade in. My bike with a cost to trade of £9k 

Wow, that stung. Nice bike but may need to rethink that one!

[luxybob]

Like the write up. Did a test on the G2 when my bike was in for its 30k service, agree with your points. Really, really, did not like the stock exhaust and wheezing from the bike and the seating position was a bit off almost was too tight for the knees. But overall still a bloody great bike, almost with too much information on the dash and ouch re costs.

Thought that the handling was more agile. Mind you when back on my bike post 30k service it was like having a new bike and defo a new quickshifter (so far no false neutrals)

[runnerhiker]

Do you remember how many miles were on the demo bike?  I think this bike gets smoother with age.

I tested a new early Gen 1 and it vibrated a lot.  A lot.
I tested a used '17 Gen 1 with 12k miles on it and it was pretty smooth.
My new '19 vibrated at 5K RPM's when new, it's much smoother now.  Much smoother.
I tested a new Gen 2 and it seemed to vibrate like my new Gen 1.

The longer I have my Gen 1, the more I like it as it gets smoother and smoother.  If I were to get a Gen 2, I would have to start that process all over again.

[Winger]

Interesting write up, and thought of starting all over again from where I am with mine  , but for me there are things on the horizon as the game is starting to change....having bought an electric mountain bike at the start of lockdown and really joined the 21st century  , i’ve Enough motorcycles to keep me/us going for years to come, and in the next couple of years see them being supported by the like of a Live wire/Zero SR/F/Energica Eva Ribelle   assuming prices drop of course which they will.

The game is changing.....don’t ask me to like it....just the way it is

When range is up to 150 miles ridden hard and a 45 minute charge time, the fossil fuel thing really will be over.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Winger

Interesting write up, and thought of starting all over again from where I am with mine  , but for me there are things on the horizon as the game is starting to change....having bought an electric mountain bike at the start of lockdown and really joined the 21st century  , i’ve Enough motorcycles to keep me/us going for years to come, and in the next couple of years see them being supported by the like of a Live wire/Zero SR/F/Energica Eva Ribelle   assuming prices drop of course which they will.

The game is changing.....don’t ask me to like it....just the way it is

When range is up to 150 miles ridden hard and a 45 minute charge time, the fossil fuel thing really will be over.

"wraaaaaa-wraaaaaaaaaaaaaa--wraaaaaaaaaaaa-pop-pop-pop-bang" will never be over!!!! 

[Belco100]

After a bit of looking around I have found a really nice Gen 2 with Carbon Pack, Forged Wheels, TPC, LED Spots and a few other bits in the "Pre-Loved" department, which softens the cost to change quite considerably.

[Winger]

What....some one left a nice pair of Dymags on 

[Crosshairs]

Originally Posted by Winger

When range is up to 150 miles ridden hard and a 45 minute charge time, the fossil fuel thing really will be over.

Not for me..maybe when range is ~200 miles with a 10 minute recharge  I'll think about it ...but until then, I have zero interest