Having done about 500 miles since the new engine was built in January, my 853 was due a service so I though whilst I was there I'd take an Enduro out for a test ride. I was given an Enduro Touring with about 1100 miles on the clock and the bench mark is my 2012 Multistrada 1200s Touring that has the Ohlins aftermarket SCU and the bike has a custom map for fuelling and smoothness rather than outright performance. Sitting on the Enduro the riding position is nice and upright with comfortably wide handle bars that were in the right place for a relaxed riding position. The seat is more comfortable than my Comfort seat but the seat height had me on the balls of my feet rather than flat footed. I had a route in my mind so with the bike warmed up I set off. The display immediately looked busy and with no near vision, I struggled. At the first junction I managed to switch on the hazard lights and had to stop to work out how to switch them off. My fault as I didn't ask for the detailed tour before setting off. Anyway out on the open road time to stretch its legs and test the handling. The acceleration through the gears was very smooth and amply powerful in Touring mode, the suspension was supple and the bike changed direction well if a little lazily. Got a reminder on a roundabout that the bike was shod with Scorpian Trails and not M7RRs but to be fair the Scorpians performed really well. I was out for about and hour on good tarmac roads through a variety of speed limits on A and B roads. I enjoyed my ride immensely, feeling at home almost immediately and confident to make progress. The Enduro is hugely capable and chalk and cheese with a stock single spark. However, at slow speeds (<10mph) I found that being taller, the Enduro was a little unbalanced and feet down at junctions I was initially unsteady. Pressing on I found the power delivery so smooth I wasn't excited and the bike seemed a little lazy. Certainly the power delivery from low revs was night and day different but I did notice that at 30mph in 3rd gear, the Enduro was revving 500rpm more than the single spark which was probably why at high speed I wanted a 7th gear although the Enduro was far happier in 6th at 70mh than mine. On mine I only use 6th at warp speed. Am I excited enough to change ? No because the electronic Ohlins are a better and the custom map means my bike has better performance with a little more excitement when you crack the throttle. Will I buy one in the future ? Absolutely although it will never see anything other than tarmac and occasionally the grass verge and a gravel driveway. Andy
400+ mile tank range with stock exhaust & steady riding (33.5litres). I'd love to show you some images of my bling enduro-monster but I'm waiting on the enduro-package & a tiny few more treats to be added.
As the bike is their demonstrator, I guess it's the standard seat. I am 6' 4" which is why I was a little surprised I was on the balls of my feet. Andy
But wha But what's the inside leg? I know they are tall - Talking with the dealer in Cardiff - he said he feared most people could not ride them as they are so tall - he has about 3 in the showroom - so I guess he is looking for tall long legged people who like cleaning wire wheels to walk in.... and take them off his hands..
Don't think you can adjust the seat on the Enduro. You have to buy a lower seat if that's what you want.
You need to remove the rubbers off the foot rests. Helped with me been 6'2" but I now use a air-hawk cushion to provide that small amount extra height & comfort when doing mileage.
I've got a 34" inside leg and was OK on the Enduro, but after my own Mutli, it was definitely a case of "ooerr…" I wouldn't like to be putting a foot down fully loaded on a heavy camber, that's for sure.
Had a good look a them last week. Lovely looking things, but for a short arse wanting to do some commuting, no way, I'd have to put a hand on car roofs or I'd be off.
Thanks for your detailed review Andy it's very good to see other people's opinion of the bike. I've had one for a few months but unfortunately it was recently destroyed by an oncoming car. If I'm going to get another bike again, which I really hope I do, it will be another Enduro. I'm 5 foot 11 and without luggage or a passenger I just drop the preload down little bit to make sure that I've got plenty of foot down on both sides in touring and urban modes. With a passenger and luggage even with the preloaded turned right up I'm completely flat footed and it's very easy to control at low speed. I would strongly recommend the carbon screen even for touring because it keeps the wind just below the head so you don't get the buffering and is also found out recently you don't go through it when you go over a car.
