Until you experience the thrill of accelerating from 0 to 70+ with NO gear changes, you can't really understand this bike. The sensation is very much like taking off in a jet -- pure, straight thrust all the way.
The bike may look like a sport bike, but it's really more of a GT. What you won't read about is how useful the CVT is for engine braking!
I can come down from 10,000' without touching the brakes. The control I get with that throttle, both power on and off, is amazing. Then once you get under about 17 mph., it freewheels all the way to 0.
I really enjoy not having to hold back the clutch or put it in neutral at stoplights just to stretch and take my hands off the handlebars for a couple minutes. This reduces the fatigue factor quite a lot.
Note: I have NO issues with shifting a traditional bike, but after years of stop and go traffic where I used to live, I thought I'd give this a try.
This has proven to be an excellent decision. There are so many things on this bike that have my friends jealous, most notably -- the storage compartment (where the tank usually is). I'm in and out of that thing constantly and wonder how I ever lived without it.
Overall, I would encourage anyone to disregard any naysaying about the CVT. So far exactly 0 EXPERIENCED bikers have failed to notice the fact that it's CVT unless I point it out. This is by far the best bike I've ever ridden, period. Get one!
Upgrades/Accessories: I got a handlebar ram-mount for my Garmin 1490T GPS. Also, I'm using a Tourmaster jacket liner and Gerbing gloves with plug right into the connections on the jacket liner even though they're from different companies. DON'T GET THE TOURMASTER GLOVES they don't heat up nearly as well as the Gerbings.
If you're going to get bags for this bike ... don't! They stick out WAY too much. Instead get a large Givi 35L trunk. That should do you fine on this bike for day-trips. This bike will NOT be comfortable enough for really long trips.
Reviews are provided on an "as is" basis with no warranty and should be considered entertainment only. Reviews should not be used for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to, making decisions about any referenced vehicles, products, modifications or other information.
