Well, today myself and Harry the Cat picked up these 2 beauties from Rainbow in Rotherham and took them out for a little run :
I've been wanting to ride the XR ever since it was launched and have more recently taken an interest in the RS, having really enjoyed riding the 1200 R a few months ago.
Anyway, having ridden through what can best be described as 'variable' weather all day and somehow ending up in Grantham, these are the 'headlines according to me':
XR - tall (ish), similar to my 800GS. Nice upright riding position. Insanely fast. Very low geared - feels like it could do with another 2 gears, will tootle along in 4th or 5th at 30 mph, you can wind it on from there and it just takes off . Quite vibey, particularly between 5 - 6000 rpm where the vibes spread from the bars into the seat. Suspension quite firm. An 'urgent' and revvy sort of ride, I wouldn't get off feeling relaxed if I'd been riding it all day. Overtaking a doddle. Overall enjoyed riding it, but only as an experience, I wouldn't want to ride one everyday.
RS - Lovely smooth power delivery, no fuss, just goes fast when you want it to without making a big issue about it. Much higher geared than the XR (and my 800) and a much more relaxed riding experience. Handles really nicely, I felt at home on it within a few minutes. A bit more 'give' in the suspension than the XR and felt better over bumps. Oh, and it looks really nice too . The only thing I would have to get used to or do something about is the height of the bars. I'm only really used to riding upright bikes, so the lower bar position felt a bit alien to me. I understand that the bars from the R will fit and at least one of Rainbow's customers have successfully had these fitted (or maybe some risers?). Loved it - when can I have one
I've been wanting to ride the XR ever since it was launched and have more recently taken an interest in the RS, having really enjoyed riding the 1200 R a few months ago.
Anyway, having ridden through what can best be described as 'variable' weather all day and somehow ending up in Grantham, these are the 'headlines according to me':
XR - tall (ish), similar to my 800GS. Nice upright riding position. Insanely fast. Very low geared - feels like it could do with another 2 gears, will tootle along in 4th or 5th at 30 mph, you can wind it on from there and it just takes off . Quite vibey, particularly between 5 - 6000 rpm where the vibes spread from the bars into the seat. Suspension quite firm. An 'urgent' and revvy sort of ride, I wouldn't get off feeling relaxed if I'd been riding it all day. Overtaking a doddle. Overall enjoyed riding it, but only as an experience, I wouldn't want to ride one everyday.
RS - Lovely smooth power delivery, no fuss, just goes fast when you want it to without making a big issue about it. Much higher geared than the XR (and my 800) and a much more relaxed riding experience. Handles really nicely, I felt at home on it within a few minutes. A bit more 'give' in the suspension than the XR and felt better over bumps. Oh, and it looks really nice too . The only thing I would have to get used to or do something about is the height of the bars. I'm only really used to riding upright bikes, so the lower bar position felt a bit alien to me. I understand that the bars from the R will fit and at least one of Rainbow's customers have successfully had these fitted (or maybe some risers?). Loved it - when can I have one