Fast Eddie
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- Oct 4, 2013
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I took the Panzer out for about 200 miles today on some roads I know well.
I am pleased to say that it am pleased with the bike!
When I've ridden modern sports bikes of late, I haven't enjoyed them at all. They only seem to make sense when going a gazillion miles per hour, which on the road, seems like a sure fire way to lose your license, or worse. Also, they are just so damned fast and so damned good that riding at a ridiculous fast pace doesn't feel fast at all, the sensation, and fun of speed is strangely lost. At slower speeds, they simply feel awkward to me.
The R nine T is nothing like that, the steering is really neutral, very surprising to me given the width of the tyres. The seating position is basically perfect for me at 6 ft tall on fast sweeping A roads. It feels a bit like an old Eddie Lawson replica in its seating position, you definitely feel like you're sitting in it, rather than it. The best bit is that you get all of the sensation, and fun, of speed, even below a ton. You know you're doing a ton, which is a good thing in my book. Although it feels very light, it also feels big, it has a 'positive presence' is how I'd describe it. I love glancing down to see the big air cooled cylinder poking out! The handling is really confidence inspiring at all speeds, that I encounter anyway. Swinging it through the sweepers is very addictive!
The power delivery is very linear, it doesn't match the Thruxton's grunt at 4000rpm, but it surpasses it in the higher rev ranges.
The noise is nothing like a trad 360 degree Brit, but when hustling it along it is a very addictive exhaust note, it kinda sounds like a WWII fighter plane going into a dive (a Messerschmitt I guess)!
In summary, I don't think it would make the best track bike, but as a good, fast, enjoyable road bike, it certainly ticks all my boxes. And it was surprisingly comfortable for 200 miles. I could easily, and happily gone a lot further.
And before you say so Glen... Yes I am quite certain the Thruxton also does everything the R nine does and just as well too. But for me, the ergonomics and 'feel' of the R nine suit me better than the Thruxton did.
Will post some picture later...
I am pleased to say that it am pleased with the bike!
When I've ridden modern sports bikes of late, I haven't enjoyed them at all. They only seem to make sense when going a gazillion miles per hour, which on the road, seems like a sure fire way to lose your license, or worse. Also, they are just so damned fast and so damned good that riding at a ridiculous fast pace doesn't feel fast at all, the sensation, and fun of speed is strangely lost. At slower speeds, they simply feel awkward to me.
The R nine T is nothing like that, the steering is really neutral, very surprising to me given the width of the tyres. The seating position is basically perfect for me at 6 ft tall on fast sweeping A roads. It feels a bit like an old Eddie Lawson replica in its seating position, you definitely feel like you're sitting in it, rather than it. The best bit is that you get all of the sensation, and fun, of speed, even below a ton. You know you're doing a ton, which is a good thing in my book. Although it feels very light, it also feels big, it has a 'positive presence' is how I'd describe it. I love glancing down to see the big air cooled cylinder poking out! The handling is really confidence inspiring at all speeds, that I encounter anyway. Swinging it through the sweepers is very addictive!
The power delivery is very linear, it doesn't match the Thruxton's grunt at 4000rpm, but it surpasses it in the higher rev ranges.
The noise is nothing like a trad 360 degree Brit, but when hustling it along it is a very addictive exhaust note, it kinda sounds like a WWII fighter plane going into a dive (a Messerschmitt I guess)!
In summary, I don't think it would make the best track bike, but as a good, fast, enjoyable road bike, it certainly ticks all my boxes. And it was surprisingly comfortable for 200 miles. I could easily, and happily gone a lot further.
And before you say so Glen... Yes I am quite certain the Thruxton also does everything the R nine does and just as well too. But for me, the ergonomics and 'feel' of the R nine suit me better than the Thruxton did.
Will post some picture later...
) fast enough to get away from traffic or pass quickly when needed, but do not climb above the ton so effortlessly.
