Tweet
The Wife bought herself one. Maiden voyage was today. I was allowed a ride.
Holy crap it is good.
The bike is too small for me, but the motor is magic - far better than my 2013 300RR. The newer motor vibes less and makes smoother power - I haven’t ridden anything that has such a direct connection between your right wrist and the rear wheel.
It still moves along quite smartly when the throttle is wound open. I can imagine that there are times when I might want more top end power but most of those times exist only in my imagination.
Certainly the first time that I felt like a newer 300RR might be worth the money to upgrade to.
Steering felt ridiculously precise compared to my old WR200 that I was riding today. If felt like a HT Holden with two dead shocks and three flat tyres in comparison. Will need to compare it with something made this century before I decide exactly how good the XT is, but it is obviously very good.
Surprisingly, the XT suspension felt good in the terrain I rode it on. Still felt a bit new and sticky, and I was obviously running it deeper into the stroke than ideal but medium speed, open single track was absolutely no problem for it - much better than I expected.
I can picture the times when it would struggle, but I could ride it and enjoy it for most of the riding I have done lately.
The ergos are my biggest complaint - although I am 98kg and 6’... Fine (not great) for riding standing up, but I imagine that I would hate it for a longer point-to-point all day ride.
The Wife, simply giggled like a schoolgirl full of red cordial all day.
Holy crap it is good.
The bike is too small for me, but the motor is magic - far better than my 2013 300RR. The newer motor vibes less and makes smoother power - I haven’t ridden anything that has such a direct connection between your right wrist and the rear wheel.
It still moves along quite smartly when the throttle is wound open. I can imagine that there are times when I might want more top end power but most of those times exist only in my imagination.
Certainly the first time that I felt like a newer 300RR might be worth the money to upgrade to.
Steering felt ridiculously precise compared to my old WR200 that I was riding today. If felt like a HT Holden with two dead shocks and three flat tyres in comparison. Will need to compare it with something made this century before I decide exactly how good the XT is, but it is obviously very good.
Surprisingly, the XT suspension felt good in the terrain I rode it on. Still felt a bit new and sticky, and I was obviously running it deeper into the stroke than ideal but medium speed, open single track was absolutely no problem for it - much better than I expected.
I can picture the times when it would struggle, but I could ride it and enjoy it for most of the riding I have done lately.
The ergos are my biggest complaint - although I am 98kg and 6’... Fine (not great) for riding standing up, but I imagine that I would hate it for a longer point-to-point all day ride.
The Wife, simply giggled like a schoolgirl full of red cordial all day.
Comment