Initial Impression:
Shipping: Roadrunner Transportation delivered the bike via a local carrier. Bikes were packed together in one 1070 lb package. Unfortunately the shipping company didn't bring a truck with a lift gate in the back. So the bikes got uncrated and rolled into the bed of a truck which then was backed up to a hill and they were maneuvered into the garage. Fortunately those bikes are light!!!! The crate was undamaged but mine had some small scrapes on it from either the straps or something in packing. One is on the engine cover and pretty noticeable. I'll give CSC a call and some pictures for those. Overall it's just a few small cosmetic scratches and nothing serious. My friends bike faired much better and we didn't notice anything on initial inspection on his.
Assembly: Both our bikes were preassembled at CSC save the windshield, rear view mirrors and rear top box. We also had the 12v/USB option installed. Mine came with the 19" front and different tires than stock as additional options. The windshield is tricky to install, i'll attempt that again in daylight. I installed the mirrors and rode the bike home from my friends with the top box and screws in my wifes CRV.
Quality: It's not up to 16k bike standards but this thing feels very much like your getting your money's worth. Lots of solid metal and no rattles whatsoever. Nice dash for a 250! The welds are just as good as my Moto Guzzi Stelvio.. It uses a lot of steel and fasteners similar to the Vstrom I used to have. Overall it's better looking than the KLR I had 15 years ago when it was brand new, and for 2500 dollars less! Great set of crash bars that surround the bike. It looks like it will fall over better than most. I'm quite happy with the quality so far.
Ergonomics: This bike is about 80% the size of my MG Stelvio and about 220 lbs less in weight. It has a 1 inch lower seat height as well. I'm 5'11" and flat foot this bike. I weight 275 lbs and basically must have some neanderthal DNA because I'm build like one. Bars are great and legroom felt good on the short ride. The seat however is pretty bad for me. I'll add the airhawk and see how that works. I may replace it with the "tall" seat option however. The grips feel really short compared to other bikes I've had with bar end weights. Good "adventure" bike ergonomics over all. You sit "in" this bike rather than on top like you would a dirt bike.
Engine: First impression, I ran it up to redline on the way home very briefly keeping the RPM's going up and letting it compression brake. I didn't ride aggressively as that will come later. My last two bikes were a Tiger 1050 at @ 125hp at the crank and a MG Stelvio at 105hp and @ 80ft lbs of torque. The Stelvio is all torque everywhere. The triple was power everywhere even more-so. So this is what I think having been riding those for the past 60,000 miles. It's not bad! Loud exhaust in a pretty good way. The sound makes it feel faster than it is. That saying "more fun to ride a slow bike fast" is very true. This bike will make you smile. No, it's not even close to as fast as a 1200cc or 1050cc engine. It'll get far better fuel economy than either. I took it up to 70mph actual (gps) and it got there with ease. I'm sure it'll get over 80 on a flat. Your going to lose passing power vs a big bike and it won't be as good in a headwind on the highway but it'll do just fine everywhere else. Engine sounds great and the shifting was very light. A bit notchy but that'll likely improve. It's a better transmission than my Tiger 1050 but not as good as the MG right now. I had no issues finding neutral and no false gears.
Suspension: Soft but I'm very heavy. It rides very nice actually but bottoms out easy (I'm way over normal weight though). I'll adjust preload to maximum and try again. It soaks up bumps and road cracks very nicely and it's a comfortable bike to ride. Better by far than my Sportster 883! It absorbs all but the harshest impacts without issues.
Handling: Very good. Light and quick.
That exhaust is loud haha!
I'm planning a full video review and have some pretty decent camera equipment and sound recording so I'll capture it as best I can for everyone to enjoy. I should have a few miles on it by then and I'll update this initial review.
Lee
