Helped by its low seat height the riding position
is remarkably comfortable. Up front there’s a
nod to the fly screen fairings of old, except
that some sort of alchemical witchcraft has it
working better than most. Maybe on nation-
long jaunts a higher screen may be
advantageous with weather, but I was fresh
as a daisy returning home after each outing.
Figure wise the engine pops out peak torque
of 83Nm at 6000rpm, but there is considerable
reserve beyond that too, and the figures don’t
do it justice. Peak power is obtained at 7500rpm
with 77hp at the rear, and again it feels like more
than that to hand. I’m used to the feel of 98
horses on my daily driver, and it felt as sprightly
as that machine, although mine may have
fractionally longer legs. The redline at 8500
comes up quick when really asked for it.
Upshifting is incredibly smooth, downshifting
works better when you offer the blips yourself
and it is the work of a few seconds to get the
feel right. Thrashing down into speedy corners
clutchless (courtesy of the shift-assist) and
feeling that positive contact and bite at the
tyre under swift deceleration will have you
smiling. The bike loves input and the feedback
is exceptional. I did find myself using the clutch
at slower paces just because I like the feel of
control to the hand (too many years of trials
riding have seen to that), but it rewards effort
too. It will take any fuel above 91 you throw
at it – I ran it on 98 but you don’t have to.
“
IT’S A TESTAMENT TO THE
THINKING AT BMW, AND
KNOWING ITS RIDERS.
AND FIGURING OUT ALL
THOSE ALPHANUMERIC
PERMUTATIONS
106 KIWI RIDER