Evening all,
Well, I collected the red Crosstourer on the 15th March, some 50 miles from my house from Dobles Honda in Coulsdon and rode it home in the dark, pissing down, salty M25.
I had the Garmin Zumo 660 fitted by the dealer and the Givi full trekker luggage - the givi crash bars and lights are on back order, so will be fitted on the 19th April along with the first service and also a Pyramid rear hugger, duck tail and fenda extender (more on this in a bit!).
Good friday, 9am, full Rukka gear on and additional thermals, I set off for an Easter weekend away with two other lads. I went to Peterborough first and met up with my first mate and then onto Scarborough where we spent the first night in a rather sh#te hotel....
I packed an Ortileb 89 litre bag and left all the panniers at home - they would impede filtering in the UK. Like a twat, I bungeed the bag too quickly and now have permanent scars on the rear of the bike.
We set off on sat morning across to the Yorkshire moors - I forget where we went exactly, but it was way too cold, the roads were great though!
Sunday was around lake Windermere - stunning.
Anyway - about the bike....but a brief history of my biking 'career' beforehand....
I'm now 41 and passed my test some 20 years ago. Some 12 bikes later, I have the Crosstourer.
Last few bikes were a GTR, 2011 Hayabusa, 2010 BMW S1000R, DL1000 VStrom. I took my Rospa advanced last year and passed at Gold first time, I also raced in the ACU Suzuki GSX600R trophy in 2007/8/9 - with a couple of wins at Cadwell and support series for Moto GP and world superbikes at Donington - so a very mixed and experienced rider.
OK - the Crosstourer.....
Engine? Probably the best lump I've had the pleasure of riding. Mammoth torque, great induction roar and very powerful. Im still running it in, but stretched it a few times -although it's got the all the power required under 6000 revs anyway....
The bike is very comfy - 800 miles and no aches and pains! Seat very good and no vibration at all through the bars.
I had the taller Honda screen fitted and whilst it's ok, I'll be changing it for the Givi adjustable one that you guys appear to like. I fitted oxford heated grips myself and they work perfectly.
The amount of crap now on the underside/shock area is crazy - hence the rear hugger etc.
The handling is very good, as is the traction control and the abs. This write up doesn't really do the bike justice, as I need to tweak a few things to make it perfect, but the package is all but there.
To do list:
First service, Givi crash bars, Givi lights, Givi screen, move Garmin to top of dash (yolk mount is crap for viewing) rear hugger, rear duck tail and front fender extender. I have purchased some decent cycle handlebar type tape, which will be wrapped around the rear handle etc to minimise bungee damage.....!
May also fit a centrestand. I'm off to France/Spain/Monaco in July for a 10 day, 3000 mile blast, so will write up a lenghty report when I return.
To summarise, I'm blown away by the bike - great build quality and extremely comfortable and capable.
Can't wait for a bit of sun, a decent buffer free screen and dry open roads......

Edit - I have a few pics I can email someone if you can post them up? I'm crap with the techno stuff...!!