After a surprisingly good night's sleep, I got all my bits n bobs together and headed out for Moto Rapido at 8.45 on my last ride on the S2R1000. I arrived in Winchester an hour later and then set about doing all the paperwork. Andrew then took me through the controls and I was ready for the off. For some reason, I got a bit nervous before I pulled away, fearing that I'd stall and drop the bike. No such dramas. Although the clutch is far from light, I calmly threaded my way through the traffic and headed back north on the A34. I had it in my head that I would head for Wales but I didn't really plan a route. I saw the sign for Salisbury and thought a picture of the Mutley in front of the cathedral would make a good snap, but after driving round and round the one way system, I was getting no closer to the cathedral so gave it up as a bad job and headed north again. I then took the A338 up to Marlborough passing Salisbury Plain and then hitting the M4 west to see how she fared at motorway speeds. A brief pitstop for a sandwich and a coffee, then the A46 through Stroud and up to Gloucester. The dreadful weather that was forecast greeted me with driving rain and very strong gusts but I ploughed on because I could see clearer skies ahead. Then on to the A40 west for a few miles before peeling off onto the A4136 towards Monmouth and soon I was in the biking heaven that is Wales. Unusually, as I crossed the border the sun made an appearance, warming my back. It didn't need to lift my spirits as I was already on a high. Back onto the A40 for the short hop to Raglan where I stopped for fuel (178 miles so far) and then tea and cake at the castle. I had a quick look at Google Maps and remembered a fantastic road btween Abergavenny and Hereford that would be a fitting way to return to England. I ended up taking the B4423, which, although wet, was great fun and almost free of traffic. I was then back in Monmouth and as the time was nearing 6 I thought it was time to get home. My arse was also getting pretty sore after nearly 6 hours in the saddle. From Monmouth to Ross-on Wye on the A40, then a fantastic blast along the A449 to Ledbury. I carried on this till I hit the A4104 towards Pershore. I was having a ball along here, the roads were fast and flowing and despite being restricted to 6k rpm, in 4th gear the bike just flew. I'm sure you can imagine how wide my grin was. I was yelping inside my helmet. Into Evesham and then a blast down the A44, through Chipping Norton and then home to Oxford. I stopped in Moreton-in-the-Marsh to ask my wife if she wanted me to pick up dinner and a bottle of plonk. So my last trip was to the chippy and then the offy. I shut my garage door at 8pm. 299 miles on the clock, 8 of which were PDI miles, so 291 on my first day. Not bad going. So what did I think of the bike? Wow. WOW. I'm gonna have such a lot of fun on this. The engine is phenomenal and that's just in touring mode at a maximum of 6000rpm! But at this rate, it won't be long before I can unleash all the horses. ALthough the weather was pretty crap, I had a wonderful day. Even my hands stayed warm. It will take a bit of time to get used to the handling but that's coz I'm used to being a bit closer to the ground! Tomorrow I'm off for a 2 hour blast with my mate, who is in the process of running in his Monster 1100EVO. I would let him ride my bike, but will advise him against it coz he'll only want one.
Hi Duke, Thats exactly how i felt riding my new MTS back from the Dealership 450 km home. Couldn't wait to take it back for its first service now got 3500 on the clock . liked the pic's. Safe riding !
Duke At this rate i'm going to have to unsubscribe until I pick mine up on Tuesday! The suspense is killing me! will miss my gixer and I've had the old girl from new, but the multi sounds as though it is just GREAT! no way I could have done 300 miles on the gixer. Most was 200 and I needed physio! i live near Wales so am looking forward to getting up there. Keep going with updates, I "may" just hang in there :biggrin:
Well just completed my first proper day out in sunny Wales. 180 miles up through Chepstow, Usk, Abergavenny (for a nice cup of tea and bacon bap), along to Builth Wells before returning back over the bridge and home. What a fantastic machine. Quite simply the best all round bike I have ridden. the reviews were great, but it wasn't until I got out on some proper roads I realised all the hype was justified. having come from a gixer, I will have to get used to the front end dipping under braking, but I intend to get the suspension set up after the first service. Maybe should have saved up for the skyhook? This is a minor point. The handling, engine (even below 6k revs) and comfort are superb. But hey, why am I telling you? You already know it! Well, I had to share my thoughts with you all anyway. My wife doesn't understand me :biggrin:
Congrats to both of you. It is surely a dream machine - i've just been to Black Forest in waders and diving suit..... or at least it was needed; never the less, i was smiling all the way, because this bike is just so damn fantastic. 2000 miles later, and i had to do an extra run of 200 miles more, lol. Keep on the fun!
I've just switched from a GSXR1000 too and can't believe that I didn't make the switch earlier. The Multi is every bit as capable as the Gixxer, but about a million times more comfortable, and therefore a million times more usable. I love it! Mines a 2011 S Touring.
+1 from a K8. Bought the 2013 ABS The first bike that I have really connected with for a lot of years...real character. 2600 miles now including a superb two up ride over the lakes covering 220 miles in total at the weekend, I wont hurry to do Hardknott and Wrynose passes again two up though! Rider and pillion were well impressed at what would best be described as making good progress on the better roads. Time for new tyres now...then roll on the Alps in July. One hell of a bike
I will squeeze another 2-400 out of them max. Front is shot, on the wear bars and lost its shape, back just starting to go. TBH the front was in bad shape at only 2400 miles and I could feel a difference in the handling. They were a surprise to me in how good they performed even in the wet before wear set in. Time for PR2s for me now, fully expect to clear 4k absolute minimum with them even with some two up use.
