Roblatt
High Miler
Yesterday I attended the John Sample test ride day. The bikes I had pre booked were the V7 and the Stelvio. I also gave the Aprilia Dorsoduro a go since there was a vacancy.
We rode in groups on a probably 10-15 km run each time running through open straight stretches, twisty up and down hill bits, light traffic and suburban side streets. It really was a good variety of roads with plenty of areas to get the front wheel up - I didn't but others on Aprilias did.
The V7 I thought was the surprise package. It is light agile and can really mumbo when needed. I could not believe how quick I was cornering on this thing without noticing. It behaved well on the slow stretches and was not left behind when the roads opened up.
I absolutely loved this bike and could easily live with it. It is comfortable with good ergonomics, although I do look sill on it because it's small and I'm large. The only issues I had were the mirrors are useless with bar end mirrors probably better suited, and the long throw from 1st to 2nd.
The Stelvio is ergonomically excellent. They had 2, one set with the high seat, the other low seating. I got the high seat. I found this too high (I think I'm 6") but I am used to the Breva. At low speed and take off it was excellent with no jerkiness like the B11, just smooth fueling right up to red line (oops, did I say that!) and constant pulling all the way (and in all gears). This is a really easy bike to ride and while it is quite large, it feels as light as a 250cc when flicking through corners. Corners just happen even at what I would normally call too fast. The grunt coming out of the corners was.... noticeable.
You could easily ride this all day and not get tired. Even the seat has proper padding. What I didn't like is the plastic belly pan looks cheap and flimsy, I would've thought it should a least resemble a real bash plate. The instrument cluster is another disappointment with a digital speedo that in sunlight occasionally becoming hard to see.
The Dorsoduro is a motard style bike. You sit on it not in it. The gearbox was too stiff, I could rarely find neutral, and if you click into 1st at the lights, forget up shifting to neutral, the lever doesn't move. Heaps of go with 3 fuel maps, I just set it to the middle setting which was scary enough.
In all not my style of mount so I hated it. I took it out to see what the fuss is about. I still haven't worked that out.
Would I change my B11 for any of the above. No. The V7 is too small now I'm used to a bigger bike and touring with pillion and luggage may be difficult.
With the Stelvio, I would have trouble deciding between it and the Breva if I was to buy right now. I'd probably choose the Stelvio but the Breva is a prettier bike. I wouldn't change because I don't think the Stelvio can go anywhere the Breva can't for the riding I do. They are similar in purpose, different in looks.
It was good to test back to back and then jump back on the B11 for the trip home as a comparison. Familiarity is an interesting thing. Like and old glove on slipped onto my old friend and went home. Comfortable, relaxed everything happening automatically the way it does after a period of time. I'm happy with my mount. She stays.
I hope this wasn't too long. These are my thoughts only and we all think differently. My opinions are only that and I know you will agree and disagree in areas.
A bloody good day out! Thanks John Sample and the team at A1.
cheers
Robert
We rode in groups on a probably 10-15 km run each time running through open straight stretches, twisty up and down hill bits, light traffic and suburban side streets. It really was a good variety of roads with plenty of areas to get the front wheel up - I didn't but others on Aprilias did.
The V7 I thought was the surprise package. It is light agile and can really mumbo when needed. I could not believe how quick I was cornering on this thing without noticing. It behaved well on the slow stretches and was not left behind when the roads opened up.
I absolutely loved this bike and could easily live with it. It is comfortable with good ergonomics, although I do look sill on it because it's small and I'm large. The only issues I had were the mirrors are useless with bar end mirrors probably better suited, and the long throw from 1st to 2nd.
The Stelvio is ergonomically excellent. They had 2, one set with the high seat, the other low seating. I got the high seat. I found this too high (I think I'm 6") but I am used to the Breva. At low speed and take off it was excellent with no jerkiness like the B11, just smooth fueling right up to red line (oops, did I say that!) and constant pulling all the way (and in all gears). This is a really easy bike to ride and while it is quite large, it feels as light as a 250cc when flicking through corners. Corners just happen even at what I would normally call too fast. The grunt coming out of the corners was.... noticeable.
You could easily ride this all day and not get tired. Even the seat has proper padding. What I didn't like is the plastic belly pan looks cheap and flimsy, I would've thought it should a least resemble a real bash plate. The instrument cluster is another disappointment with a digital speedo that in sunlight occasionally becoming hard to see.
The Dorsoduro is a motard style bike. You sit on it not in it. The gearbox was too stiff, I could rarely find neutral, and if you click into 1st at the lights, forget up shifting to neutral, the lever doesn't move. Heaps of go with 3 fuel maps, I just set it to the middle setting which was scary enough.
In all not my style of mount so I hated it. I took it out to see what the fuss is about. I still haven't worked that out.
Would I change my B11 for any of the above. No. The V7 is too small now I'm used to a bigger bike and touring with pillion and luggage may be difficult.
With the Stelvio, I would have trouble deciding between it and the Breva if I was to buy right now. I'd probably choose the Stelvio but the Breva is a prettier bike. I wouldn't change because I don't think the Stelvio can go anywhere the Breva can't for the riding I do. They are similar in purpose, different in looks.
It was good to test back to back and then jump back on the B11 for the trip home as a comparison. Familiarity is an interesting thing. Like and old glove on slipped onto my old friend and went home. Comfortable, relaxed everything happening automatically the way it does after a period of time. I'm happy with my mount. She stays.
I hope this wasn't too long. These are my thoughts only and we all think differently. My opinions are only that and I know you will agree and disagree in areas.
A bloody good day out! Thanks John Sample and the team at A1.
cheers
Robert
