So...although I have owned it 6 plus weeks, I haven't actually ridden it till today..
What with doing the few jobs to make it better and work and life getting in the way, it's been the first opportunity to use it... (Adding to insurance and taxing it also)
So...only knocked out 100 miles or so.. some roads I am sort of familiar with having ridden the Varadero on them on a couple of weeks ago..
Back to back my first impressions compared to the 'Dero...
Smoother engine.
Smoother gearchange
Pulls more cleanly if not quite as rawly as it seems to go a bit flat after 7000 where the dero pulls to the red line.. it doesn't feel faster, although I guess it probably is in real world situations as it is smoother..
Although.. a few times when on a roundabout or coming out of a junction the throttle response gave a harsh snap when coming back on the throttle.. I need to look into the correct setting of the throttle cables etc..
Brakes, I don't feel are quite as good (it's got EBC in it and I have never found them to be the best in the past), so a change of pads is on the cards.. (maybe even hoses too), the "feel" isn't there although do pull up OK...
I liked the linked brakes of the dero, so need to get used to the rear brake not being as effective or as usefull..
Fuel economy seems to be a lot better...
Suspension is firmer but absorbs the bumps still, although it's set to factory settings and I had to go 2 clicks up on the rear preload and 3 clicks up on the damping to remove the slight wallow at the rear once it was warmed up. Prob to be expected with 15k and 8 years old..
Turn in and low speed manoeuvrability nice..
I like the way it will change direction mid corner when you need to adjust your line..
So far wind protection seemed good with the taller Givi screen.. (reset to the lowest of the 3 bolt holes and tilted back), although it was warm and needed the fresh air to get to me, I don't expect it to have the drizzle/spray protection of the dero..
Seat is definitely more comfortable..
Mirrors are not so great.. need to be out further..
Stability seems good even with the panniers and topbox on.. (not that the dero is unstable now the rear shock has been rebuilt, wasn't great before).
Michelin road6 seem to have bedded in nicely and already reducing the chicken strips to the first marker (rear).
Not ridden in the dark yet, so can't comment on the headlight etc..
Did find myself in a gear too high when slowing down and not getting into 6th on the open road a few times.. I think that's to do with it being geared taller than the dero so listening to rpm sounds right to what I am used to..
So, overall, it is better and will be better for me in the long run.. I think once I have put some more miles on it (850 mile weekend round Wales etc like I did with he dero) I shall have a better picture and be more in tune with it..