GP800 - The First Week

I've now been riding the GP800 for a week (and covered 350 miles) so here are a few more observations.

It's heavy ! Like most big heavy modern bikes (the Honda ST1100 Pan European springs to mind) it disguises it's bulk very well when moving at any speed but paddling it or pushing it is not for the faint of heart or short of stature.

It's fast ! Not just "a bit quick" or "for a scooter", it's fast period. Not only is it fast, it's deceptively fast. In fact, it's so deceptively fast that if it wasn't for the fact that I'm slowing down to exactly the same speed as everyone else to pass "safety cameras" I'd say the speedo was over-reading by about 20%. I reckon this is down to 2 things. Firstly, the screen is more effective than it looks, even at low speeds and it's hiding a lot of the wind that tells you instinctively how fast you are going. Secondly, the big V-twin is not working too hard even at speed and that "lazy" delivery, helped by the auto transmission means that it never sounds like you're going very quickly.

I think I will go for the "Touring Screen" when it becomes available but it's not going to be an urgent upgrade. When I test rode the demonstrator I felt that there was too much buffeting with the screen up and too much wind blast with it down. In fact there is a "sweet spot" between the two that's just right for motorway work and riding in town.

I'm still trying to get used to a few more things. After 25 years of always putting bikes on centrestands (my Harley Sportster was a singular exception - and even then only because it didn't have a centrestand), I can't get used to the sidestand/handbrake combo. I'm sure I will as it's entirely sold and stable. Having said that I will also have to remember the sidestand safety switch. I did spend a little while stabbing the starter button yesterday wondering why it wouldn't start (a "sidestand warning light" would assist the terminally stupid in this respect). Having a handbrake is indeed a novelty but it might have been better placed on the left side so you could release it at the same time as you twist the throttle to move away.

The other thing that will take time is getting used to using a switch on the left hand controls to indicate to turn right. Most reviewers seem to criticise the biutton on each switchgear system favoured by Harley-Davidson and BMW but I've always found it intuitive and obvious (I even liked the "up for right - down for" left switchgear of the old "airhead" Boxers but I admit that was odd).

So far, still no regrets - a top commuting and distance tool.