First proper ride on my new adventure bike

[Stuart D]

Enjoyed a very pleasant few hours out yesterday afternoon, covering some 145 miles over a mixture of road types around Herefordshire & Powys. I did question myself a few times as to my choice of route on the that type of bike, hey I bought it to ride not polish. I’m pleased with my choice & the DCT gearbox, even got confident / cocky with the shift levers on some bends and descents. I don’t think Honda built-in the neutral throttle position when the bike is leaning over, adds to the excitement. The ride modes will take some time to appreciate, Sport will will have to wait a while & hopefully that will tighten the suspension up. Apple CarPlay is better than I thought it would be on a bike, just got to get my aged brain to remember what all those buttons do on the left handlebar. I thought I was doing so well running Scenic as a sat nav, even playing music at the same time and then the phone rang . The heated grips were ok but there’s nothing to shield the backs of your hands from the wind chill, heated seat was a revelation & combined with my Keis heated jacket made the ride most enjoyable. Deliberately stayed out late to check out the lighting, dipped beam & fog lights pretty good but main beam lacked a little or was that my progress? Mpg was just shy of 40 mpg, but road choice & progress didn’t help that, fuel’s the least of my worries. It’ll do 200 miles+ between stops so that’s plenty.

 

[Hudders]

Now that's a beast

 

[Alba]

Nice ride report, off cleaning the girl now

 

[soho]

That, mate is MEGA ! The kind of ride I can no longer contemplate due to it's "Giant hugeness"
40mpg is pretty good my old bare F6 never averaged more than 34/5. I'd give anything for one like your's stripped down, but it would still be too heavy for me to handle !........... Summer's up !

 

[Lowflyer]

Looks great Stuart
Big bike but nice lines, a proper mile muncher, good stuff.

 

[Mikey]

Very nice, but it’s bloody colossal. Like Mr Soho said it’s a bit heavy for me. I’d like to try though

 

[Stuart D]

That, mate is MEGA ! The kind of ride I can no longer contemplate due to it's "Giant hugeness"
40mpg is pretty good my old bare F6 never averaged more than 34/5. I'd give anything for one like your's stripped down, but it would still be too heavy for me to handle !........... Summer's up !

To be fair it’s no heavy than my GL1500 & it carries the weight so much better. The Yanks are getting 50 mpg but they ride straight flat roads @ 55 mph, time will tell if it improves but I didn’t buy it for economy.

 

[Stuart D]

Very nice, but it’s bloody colossal. Like Mr Soho said it’s a bit heavy for me. I’d like to try though

Give Richard @ Thunder Road in Bridgend a call they have a Gold Wing & a Gold Wing Tour on their demo fleet. It’s physically smaller than my 1500.

 

[Rubberchicken]

but I didn’t buy it for economy.

The 0-60 times then?

They get underway pretty well despite their hefty size.

I once met a GL1800 and four GSXR style bikes at an open bridge in a motorway. I remember thinking, this can go two ways. Either those sportsbikes are awake and take off like a rocket, or that GL leaves them (and me, for that matter) for dust.

It was very much the latter. Four literbikes being dried off by a Goldwing with the radio on and a 25 year old 59 bhp BMW on knobbly tyres. One of the few times I've voluntarily redlined the GS but try as I might there was no keeping up with that thing.

 

[Mikey]

Give Richard @ Thunder Road in Bridgend a call they have a Gold Wing & a Gold Wing Tour on their demo fleet. It’s physically smaller than my 1500.

Tempted but I find That it’s a bit of a squash because the distance between the seat and the pegs is a little short. Basically it doesn’t fit.

 

[Stuart D]

The 0-60 times then?

They get underway pretty well despite their hefty size.

I once met a GL1800 and four GSXR style bikes at an open bridge in a motorway. I remember thinking, this can go two ways. Either those sportsbikes are awake and take off like a rocket, or that GL leaves them (and me, for that matter) for dust.

It was very much the latter. Four literbikes being dried off by a Goldwing with the radio on and a 25 year old 59 bhp BMW on knobbly tyres. One of the few times I've voluntarily redlined the GS but try as I might there was no keeping up with that thing.

Apparently sub 4 secs, let me do some miles first

 

[Hamster]

Stunning looking bike, long haul mileage will be a breeze when you’re settled in and sorted setup.

 

[boboneleg]

Very nice Stu, it looks like a beauty

 

[The Don]

that's is a beauty!!! I am officially jealous !!

 

[Steve T]

That back end!

Wide doesn't really cover it!

Miles to enjoy Stuart

 

[nick949]

Very lovely Stuart. These big tourers are underestimated as adventure bikes.
View attachment IMG_20210622_144706.jpg

 

[RickSkye]

Its a work of art, wonderful. Nice in silver.
Dct is good, I got it on my AT.

 

[Dee Dub]

Gorgeous bike. I saw one at a bike show some years ago. The pannier apertures appeared to be rather small; not sure you can get a crash helmet inside? Keeping to the wider roads, it should be a lot of fun. Will you be bringing it on my next 'crappy roads' ride?

 

[Stuart D]

That back end!

Wide doesn't really cover it!

Miles to enjoy Stuart

It's actually narrower than my @ with Ardcases panniers on
Thanks

 

[Stuart D]

Panniers are dreadfully small, topbox is the later model & will hold 2 fullface helmets, will definitely be using a topbox rack bag when Anne accompanies me on multi day trips.