As usual, brilliantly written Rossiter. Enjoyed reading through it. I wish you wrote more often...

A small teaser set of things to come..

Update:


Now that I've had to put in around 600kms on the bike, I have a few thoughts and pictures that I'd like to share.

This is a heavy motorcycle. There is no denying that and it will be wise, if you are of slight build, to give this bike a wide berth. Riding it in tight traffic is a challenge made worse by people gawking, pointing and sometimes being obnoxious. The sight of a big-bike seems to set the youngsters on RXs and Pulsars off in a rash weave through the traffic at insane speeds. I don't know if they are trying to impress me...I cannot understand what goes on in their heads! Get it wrong on the throttle through a tight corner and the bike will tend to fall over...you have to have power on and being a long-stroke V-Twin, power delivery isn't as smooth as an in-line 4 or a short stroke V-twin like the Ducati.

The handling is very acceptable once the bike gets moving above 10 kph and it is easy to ride it through traffic as you would a Karizma and the like. Very flickable and being right over the nose of the bike gives you a good measure of the distance to the front wheel - something you don't have on fully faired superbikes. The only worry is the massive tail section with the enormous exhausts protruding out each side - Have to be careful to pass with enough room for the pipes to get through as well.

The seat is VERY comfortable. As a habit, I don't wear underwear under my pants (hang on...there is more to this...). Instead I wear the "swinsuit" or "gym" shorts with the thin and slippery material inside for your man vegetables. These have no ridges/rough edges and won't dig into your butt on long rides. I am going to figure out padded riding pants and get them made locally. The seat itself has just the right amount of give - I think it is a brilliant touring platform. In traffic the seat tends to get warm because of the pipes but on the open road - very usable. The pillion will want to take the bus after about 100kms. Very cramped and gets pretty darn warm after about 30 minutes. Also there is nothing for the pillion to hold on to - there are aftermarket grab rails so I'll have to invest in that sometime soon.

Think of the MT-01 as an overgrown Karizma. It reminds me a lot of my Stage-2 modded Karizma...the way the power is delivered, the behavior in traffic and around corners. I'd like to say that the MT-01 is a Daddy-Zma minus the metrosexual name and the front fairing

This bike makes friends easily because it is an "Urban Cruiser" and not a "Superbike". People have the impression that Superbike riders are not to be messed with...but some of the nicest people I know ride superbikes. The MT-01 is like a tractor on two wheels...people are way more comfortable coming up to you to talk about it - which is alright with me as long as they don't touch.

Pictures coming up in a bit...have to run some errands for the folks (paying back the 4L they gave me in kind)