Hi everyone,
I have already ordered a new 1000 so perhaps some of you will consider I am not an impartial tester but here is my opinion anyway.
I rode one of the Spanish registered demo bikes today at Alford bros, Folkestone. The weather was abysmal but I took it out anyway. My immediate impression was positive I felt at home at once and the size and weight felt very much like my 650. The power was useable even in very wet conditions, the engine felt very smooth and just had that extra power/grunt that I wanted my old bike to have. Brakes were great and reminded me of my old K5 gixer, I didn't push them hard but they had good feel in the rain. The suspension felt taut and an improvement from the softer 650 set up. I had an hour on motorway, A roads and country lanes including crossing a 20 foot wide 12 inch deep flood. The bike was planted in all conditions.
I have given up my DL650 and my 750 gixer to be able to buy this bike, I know some of you have question the price, but for me I will have in March the bike perfect for my needs and I am very happy and to be honest that's all that counts.
Trevor