Jaws
LIFE MEMBER
- Sep 26, 2008
- 23,836
- 72,460
- Funster No
- 4,189
- MH
- C class, Chieftain
- Exp
- since 2006 ( I think ! )
Went to the Ace cafe today, had breakfast and then moved on to High Beach in Epping, about 200 miles in total as we came back through some lovely twisty roads
1) It certainly keeps up with motorway traffic ( easily ) though it does not accelerate particularly well !
2) At motorway speeds it is not exactly economic, average 42mpg, and with a tank only 14ltrs in size that could be a problem on the continent !
3) The suspension is...shall we say on the firm side . I think my kidneys are on the A1368 in Essex .....
4) Brakes started off feeling awful.. but by the end of the ride they had bedded in nicely and had quite good stopping power
5) It rained ( hard ) for about 10 minutes.. amazingly I stayed bone dry.. The only water that landed on me was on my bash hat, and then not a lot
6) Riding position.. Too early to make a meaningful comment as it takes time and a couple of thousand miles for the body to get used to any new bike, but I did have a back ache after about 150 miles or so.
7) The seat.. after about 60 miles it started to get uncomfortable.. And I LIKE hard seats .. To my mind it is poorly shaped, far too narrow at the front, which means more pressure on the coccyx and upper bum cheeks
Though again its early to pass judgement really.... though as soon as I got home I fitted my sheepskin seat cover
8) Lighting. the headlights are more than adequate as is the tail light, but the indicators are 'on trend'.. small and LED. How effective they are remains to be seen, but they are almost identical to those fitted on the 1200 GS and they are ok, so perhaps I am worrying over bugger all
9) Handling... Considering it is basically a scooter with small wheels it was quite a revelation and felt sure footed and planted. In fact it was TOO easy to forget what I was riding and had to reign it in on the twisty back roads inn case I over cooked it.. No, I could not keep up the the three 1200 GS LC's I was riding with, but that was power related not cornering.. In fact I had the advantage one time ( only one time ) when the apex of a sweeper turned in to gravel.. The 3 wheels came in to play and I barely felt a slip, the others had a bit of a brown trouser moment
What do I think after the longer test ride ..
For me it should REALLY have a bigger tank..
The seat could definitely be wider
Power delivery was good and just about adequate. I should think much above 70(ish ahem ) it would be gutless
While we took in an old runway ( that is my story and sticking to it ) I did see 105mph on the speedo so maybe a genuine 90mph )
But over all ? Yes.. I am happy enough with it and will be using it to go to Lake Garda ( though not in a day like on the Bird !)
Would I recommend a 500 MP3 Sport?
Not if you still comfortable riding and manoeuvring a 'normal' bike at standstill..
But for me, due to age and a brain fart leaving my right side a bit weak, it has extended by ability to ride for a few years . No problem riding anything, but once stopped I knew I was a liability ..Mates were happy to help and move my bike around for me, but no matter what they said I felt it was an imposition .. The MP3 has completely removed that issue. stop, lock the suspension and just wheel it about without any fear of dropping it.
If like me, you have possible issues when manoeuvring but want to carry on doing what you want to do, then yes.. go for it.
1) It certainly keeps up with motorway traffic ( easily ) though it does not accelerate particularly well !
2) At motorway speeds it is not exactly economic, average 42mpg, and with a tank only 14ltrs in size that could be a problem on the continent !
3) The suspension is...shall we say on the firm side . I think my kidneys are on the A1368 in Essex .....
4) Brakes started off feeling awful.. but by the end of the ride they had bedded in nicely and had quite good stopping power
5) It rained ( hard ) for about 10 minutes.. amazingly I stayed bone dry.. The only water that landed on me was on my bash hat, and then not a lot
6) Riding position.. Too early to make a meaningful comment as it takes time and a couple of thousand miles for the body to get used to any new bike, but I did have a back ache after about 150 miles or so.
7) The seat.. after about 60 miles it started to get uncomfortable.. And I LIKE hard seats .. To my mind it is poorly shaped, far too narrow at the front, which means more pressure on the coccyx and upper bum cheeks
Though again its early to pass judgement really.... though as soon as I got home I fitted my sheepskin seat cover
8) Lighting. the headlights are more than adequate as is the tail light, but the indicators are 'on trend'.. small and LED. How effective they are remains to be seen, but they are almost identical to those fitted on the 1200 GS and they are ok, so perhaps I am worrying over bugger all
9) Handling... Considering it is basically a scooter with small wheels it was quite a revelation and felt sure footed and planted. In fact it was TOO easy to forget what I was riding and had to reign it in on the twisty back roads inn case I over cooked it.. No, I could not keep up the the three 1200 GS LC's I was riding with, but that was power related not cornering.. In fact I had the advantage one time ( only one time ) when the apex of a sweeper turned in to gravel.. The 3 wheels came in to play and I barely felt a slip, the others had a bit of a brown trouser moment
What do I think after the longer test ride ..
For me it should REALLY have a bigger tank..
The seat could definitely be wider
Power delivery was good and just about adequate. I should think much above 70(ish ahem ) it would be gutless
While we took in an old runway ( that is my story and sticking to it ) I did see 105mph on the speedo so maybe a genuine 90mph )
But over all ? Yes.. I am happy enough with it and will be using it to go to Lake Garda ( though not in a day like on the Bird !)
Would I recommend a 500 MP3 Sport?
Not if you still comfortable riding and manoeuvring a 'normal' bike at standstill..
But for me, due to age and a brain fart leaving my right side a bit weak, it has extended by ability to ride for a few years . No problem riding anything, but once stopped I knew I was a liability ..Mates were happy to help and move my bike around for me, but no matter what they said I felt it was an imposition .. The MP3 has completely removed that issue. stop, lock the suspension and just wheel it about without any fear of dropping it.
If like me, you have possible issues when manoeuvring but want to carry on doing what you want to do, then yes.. go for it.
