I went to the local dealers open day in Perigueux yesterday with the idea of riding the R1200RT and the XR ( just for a laugh - not my sort of thing). Unfortunately, it was a nice sunny day and the booking chart was pretty full for the next three half hour sessions. I said to the girl behind the desk that I'd like to ride the RT ( air-tee giving it my best French pronounciation) and was duly booked in for 3.30. When the bikes came back we sat ourselves on the RT and waited for Bernard to bring us the key. Bernard arrived saying that we had booked the NineT not the RT. Now if the XR is not my sort of bike the NineT is not even a bike in my world. Anyway although we decided the bike wouldn't take both of us I thought I might as well go for a spin and folded myself onto it. The cut outs in the tank forcing my arse onto the back seat and my knees bent at an angle their not used to. My wife didn't help telling me that I looked like I was riding a monkey bike.
You're all thinking by now that I'm going to be converted after the test ride! But no, the bike goes well - propels you to speeds where you need a screen or fairing very quickly, makes a nice noise, brakes are a bit grabby but I do like the simplicity of the dash and handlebars. Other than that I just couldn't take it seriously, couldn't see the point of it.
Getting on the RT I felt like a serious motorcyclist again.
You're all thinking by now that I'm going to be converted after the test ride! But no, the bike goes well - propels you to speeds where you need a screen or fairing very quickly, makes a nice noise, brakes are a bit grabby but I do like the simplicity of the dash and handlebars. Other than that I just couldn't take it seriously, couldn't see the point of it.
Getting on the RT I felt like a serious motorcyclist again.