No, not the gorgeous Speed Triple, the Daytona 660 slinking along side it. My first big surprise was the height and the weight. Despite the advertised low seat height, due to its width I couldn't flat foot it. At standstill, I was uncomfortably bow legged and I didn't feel secure. Although I only sat on the 1200 next to it, that was far more comfortable and my legs were in a better position. And the 660 is HEAVY! For a little 600, it felt like a right old lump getting it off its stand and upright. I'm shite at slow speed control and I really struggled getting it out of the forecourt and onto the road due to the tight turn and the non adjustable clutch lever not allowing me to find a better biting point. Throughout my short 45 minute ride, finding the reach to get the biting point and slipping the clutch was very difficult for my (not unusually) small hands. Out on the roads, I was in mainly peri urban 20s, 30s and then a bit of 40s and 50s. I never got it past 4th gear or above, ahem, xxx miles and hour. It was actually quite a comfortable riding position for me; very upright and hardly any weight on my wrists. To get my knees to grip the tank in the right position though, I was on tippytoes an the pegs, so I ended up knee gripping the frame, which wasn't great. I didn't play with the modes and left it in the Road setting. Probably because of that, I found it a little bit unresponsive and without the instant pull I'm used to on other bikes. Out on the smaller, faster roads, I was surprised at how much fun it was. It was quite nimble and cornered nicely, even with my lack of ability. The brakes were adequate, but were slow to bite compared to the other bikes I've tested recently. At slower speeds and revs it was actually OK and there was enough lower end power even in second or third to make it very useable in town. There was a pleasantly noticeable lack of vibration through the grips too. There was no quick shifter or auto blipper or heated grips on the bike I tested, which are standard on most other comparable bike nowadays. Looks wise (always the most important thing imo) I'm disappointed. The front end looks promisingly angular and sporty. Then the fat, wide arse end lets it down. To me, the dash and cockpit looks basic and a little cheap. Although a simple set of trip controls does have a lot of positives, and I don't have to spend three days revising to be able to change the time! I realise I sound quite negative about my test, but I honestly surprised myself at how much fun it was. For a first bigger bike or if you're after a sporty tourer, then I think that this would be a great choice. For me though, I'm after a totally impractical all out sports bike, so it's a no for me.
Surprising choice for a test ride Janey, If like you said your'e looking for another sports bike its a definite downgrade from your Daytona, can't see it offers much to anybody stepping down from a bigger bike or proper supersport, except maybe higher bars There's nothing in the current middleweight sector IMO that betters even a 10yr old 675R so if you want to remain on a sports bike then going to a 1000cc is the only option. I scratched that itch 4 yrs ago with a 2016 R1 and apart from the ballistic speed, which you can use infrequently nowadays, I found riding around at my "normal" pace less fun, and much more expensive and uncomfortable, than the 675R, which I was glad I hung on to. Only things I miss are the noise, Akrapovic + link pipe, second only to the RSV4 Aprilia, and knowing you have that 200hp in your back pocket even if you can't use it often.. But pottering round mostly not able to use any of the rpm or gears was ultimately less exiting than working the Daytona harder. Did you consider trying the 1200RR while you were there?
I had the opportunity to test the 660, so why not? I couldn't really bitch about It / rave about It unless I'd personally tried it. It does what it does well enough, but it doesn't do what I want from it. It does rather look like I'm heading towards the bigger bike (and bigger expensive and bigger insurance) route. As you say, if I want a new middleweight sportsbike, my choices are severely limited. The R7 doesn't float my boat and that leaves... Er, not much. The CBR600RR won't be available to test ride until mid summer and, I think for me, that's going to be too track focussed. I've been out on the BMW S1000RR and can't fault it, other than being too perfect and a bit ubiquitous. The Panigale V2 was akin to riding a very pretty, very rattly tractor and was waaay too much like hard work for me. Sooooo, my next choice is the MV F3 800, which looks amaaaazing and, on paper, looks like we could be a good match. At the other end of the cc spectrum, I've also got a test on the Aprilia RS457, which is so pretty but I think I'll be underwhelmed by. Edit: oh boy did I consider the 1200! Especially given the seat height, riding position and weight (it's less than the 660!). But it's moving further away from what I want from a bike so I just stroked it lovingly and moved on.
Great to see your updates, although. I would test a speed triple 1200rr if I was you, it’s NO sports tourer, infact my issue with it is that it’s really focussed. But they are doing great deals on them and the insurance is really cheap on them, mine brand new is £180 a year to insure when even my 899 is around £300. Sent from my iPhone using 675.cc
Having read about the grief that your nerves/hands/wrists give you and that nonetheless you are going to keep on biking I have to say massive respect Janey. Interesting to see that you’re really open to quite a few options which should help you find the bike that ticks enough boxes for you. Have to say that if I were you I’d give the speed triple a go.I think the RS looks great though I can appreciate that it’s not for everyone that retro modern thing. I had a T509 years ago and really loved it,in fact were it not for my first mid-life crisis I probably would have stayed with the speed triples.
Most people would say that I'm being bloody stupid and I should stick to a mobility scooter, so thank you for backing me up here.