I had the misfortune of having to use public transport yesterday to go and collect my XR from Cotswold Motorrad in Gloucester, but the two and a half hour ride back home more than made up for it!
My bike is a June 2015 Sport SE, which is fitted with the BMW alarm and top box and it also has the LED daytime running light. It had a full tank of fuel and was ready to go. Mileage on collection was 8142.
So, my impressions after the first ride.
I won't go into the ballistic performance too much as you all know what it is capable of
but I will concentrate on aspects which I had noticed during the two test rides I had and also issues raised in the forum which seem to have caused a bit of consternation, as well as personal issues about how the bike suits my rather hefty 6'3" and the wrong side of twenty stone frame
As I expected, I started to get some aches in my knees, but they were not as bad as I was expecting and I was able to walk ok when I got home and got off the bike. But the seat was a complete surprise. It was totally comfortable, with no bum ache of any sort whatsoever!!! I didn't expect that!!
The screen gave good protection but it does generate a lot of wind noise for me.
The handlebar vibration. I found that if I had a loose grip on the bars it was more noticeable, but if I gripped a bit tighter it was not as evident and on getting home I had no pins and needles in my hands from the ride on the bike. Perhaps mine with the mileage it has done is a bit better and more loose than the two demos that I rode, but having thought I would need the heavier bar ends, I am now not so sure if I will need them. I am going to ride it a bit more and see how it goes, but the option is there if needed.
Heated grips. The temperature dropped down to about 6-7 degrees after sunset and the grips worked ok. On the highest setting it was getting toasty to the point they were getting too hot, and they were luke warm on the low setting. But certainly better than the heated grips on my 2014 GSA and also better than what some members have experienced on their bikes
The Grin. It was massive!!! I am so going to enjoy this bike, and the ride home last night showed its capabilities and the potential it has.
I had planned to get the seat raised about an inch, but after finding it so comfortable I don't really want to mess with it. I fitted the SW Motech footrests this afternoon and they are 15mm lower than the standard footrests, so I will see if that helps the old knees. I also fitted a Givi Screen today and it is taller and wider than the standard one so it should help. I was getting my K1600 serviced today and giving it a good clean so I haven't had the chance to take the XR out to see how the mods feel.
It's fair to say I am a very happy man!
