Over the last week or so I have been out test riding all of the alternatives I can think of for the T, as there's a chance I will have a one-off opportunity to buy myself a new toy.
First off I tried a Jap multi naked, the CB1000r - I managed less than 5 minutes on that before being bored rigid by it and took it straight back. It was far too much like a sewing machine, bland and pointless.
Next up was the V4T - abso-*******-lately awesome - seems to be exactly what I was hoping for, a tighter, meaner, newer version of the twin, and with a decent pipe on it could match it for noise too. Downside is the smaller range, from the smaller tank and harder seat.
Next was the latest Brutale - 1090RR - again, an incredible bike, the engine is an absolute peach, the induction roar is addictive, the handling is superb, but it's still an inline 4, and not as interesting as the V.
For some bizarre reason, I allowed myself to be talked in to trying out a Victory Hammer S by the MV dealer. I have to admit that I had more fun in a couple of hours on that than I had on the Brutale. Probably because it was such unexpected fun - I had expected so little from it, that when it delivered huge amounts of torque, and interestingly acceptable handling, I was really surprised, and even managed to get to start feeling confident enough to chuck it around quite well.
Today I took a Diavel and a Multistrada out. The Diavel was fantastic, the noise was great, the power was brilliant, and again, ince you get used to it, you can imagine it is quite good at being chucked around. The 'strada was just what the writeups all say, a really, really good all rounder, but almost too good ... There was no real character to it for me.
I got back on my T for the 30 mile run home, and realised that none of them match up to the Tuono. I had such a blast on the way back, that it actually took me nearer a hundred miles to get back.
If I do get the money, I will still swap it out, but only because it has let me down too often, and the new T is so incredible (and has a warranty
, but I will miss it.
First off I tried a Jap multi naked, the CB1000r - I managed less than 5 minutes on that before being bored rigid by it and took it straight back. It was far too much like a sewing machine, bland and pointless.
Next up was the V4T - abso-*******-lately awesome - seems to be exactly what I was hoping for, a tighter, meaner, newer version of the twin, and with a decent pipe on it could match it for noise too. Downside is the smaller range, from the smaller tank and harder seat.
Next was the latest Brutale - 1090RR - again, an incredible bike, the engine is an absolute peach, the induction roar is addictive, the handling is superb, but it's still an inline 4, and not as interesting as the V.
For some bizarre reason, I allowed myself to be talked in to trying out a Victory Hammer S by the MV dealer. I have to admit that I had more fun in a couple of hours on that than I had on the Brutale. Probably because it was such unexpected fun - I had expected so little from it, that when it delivered huge amounts of torque, and interestingly acceptable handling, I was really surprised, and even managed to get to start feeling confident enough to chuck it around quite well.
Today I took a Diavel and a Multistrada out. The Diavel was fantastic, the noise was great, the power was brilliant, and again, ince you get used to it, you can imagine it is quite good at being chucked around. The 'strada was just what the writeups all say, a really, really good all rounder, but almost too good ... There was no real character to it for me.
I got back on my T for the 30 mile run home, and realised that none of them match up to the Tuono. I had such a blast on the way back, that it actually took me nearer a hundred miles to get back.
If I do get the money, I will still swap it out, but only because it has let me down too often, and the new T is so incredible (and has a warranty
, but I will miss it.
