Test ride today

[Wavey Dave]

Went for a test ride on the crosstourer today 2016 manual. Wife on the back.  (Thanks to Castle Motorcycles) test ride was about 40 minutes on fast A roads with a couple of really nice long straights. And twisty b roads with national 30 & 40 zones.
First impressions were “bugger me its like sitting on a horse” I have been sitting on A VTX1800 for the last two years. 2nd slight forward lean to bars (I would need to raise up to get a no-lean position. Footpegs slightly forward nice feel.
Heated OEM grips perfectly adequate didn’t really understand traction control so left alone which I am glad I did as she tried to pop a wheelie (oops) when I gave her some beans after a set of traffic lights. Other than the TC was not an issue nor intrusive.
Brakes were keen and strong hauling up nicely, didn’t try to bring on ABS but didn’t feel I needed to, the brakes had a nice strong bite from start.
Suspension.  I Really do not know what all the fuss is about. Didn’t touch back or front and couldn’t tell you what the settings were…..but…… They were just fine. I am probably 15 stone and wife 11-12 with kit on. The rear was tickety boo the front a little stiff perhaps but not enough to say “bugger me that needs sorting” as I thought it would. If The bike was mine, I would not have changed anything in the immediate to short term.
Road holding was fine. Didn’t push it as a) not my bike b) wife on the back and c) back roads were still quite damp. But certainly, riding in normal parameters (neither fast nor slow) no issues at all and if conditions and bike been mine, I would have been happy to push harder.
Acceleration pick up was quick but not awe-inspiring and I did expect more of it. Both CB!3 and VTX were quicker. (my opinion)
Engine had nice characteristics and I liked the fruity farty rumble of the standard pipes. And again if the bike was mine I wouldn’t need to replace the pipe with something louder straight away, which incidentally is definitely not like me ☹
Little touches of vibes under heavy acceleration but non when cruising right through the range. All day cruising up to 90 (for me) with no issues. P.S I was wearing a piss pot with the highlander fairing got a slight buffet on top of the helmet but again it would not concern me for ownership.
I also did not get any problems with on-off or jerk throttle. We road for a few miles in total at low speed and low RPM with no issue either sustained or in pick up.
I did get the distinct impression that comfort would not be an all day thing without alteration to the seat. This however would probably not be a great issue as we seldom ride more than a 100miles without a leg stretch and a vape.
Overall the CT is a good competent motor that will perform well for most riding needs.
Am I going to get one? NO
It’s a good bike! A damned good bike! It sat outside the shop next to a great fat beemer GS adventure and the Honda looked a lot nicer!!! Its not full of sh#te riding modes and elastictrickery, I did enjoy the ride (my first since my SMIDSY in December) It just didn’t move my soul! It's not boring! And I wont hear that said of many bikes) I need a bike to have something special about it. It needs to speak to me on a number of levels the crosstourer just doesn’t have what I want.
The wife said it felt a lot like a Varadero on the back (I get that) she too enjoyed the ride she was comfy and happy on the back but she knew at the end of the ride the “the bike just isn’t you” 

[Murphy]

You should try the DCT!

[Banksy]

Test riding a DCT 2020 Goldwing tomorrow... More out of curiosity than looking to change from the Crosstourer. Though maybe in a few years time.. 

[mzflorida]

The new wing is awesome.  Insanely smooth and comfortable. 

[Banksy]

Yep, was a bit blown away by the Wing. That front suspension is incredible at smoothing out the bumps.

I was a bit intimidated by its size but once on and moving you forget about it.. It handled great and didn't feel heavy at all.

Think a dct bagger version will be replacing the CT in a few years when I retire..

[mzflorida]

Agreed.  It is just a great overall machine.  Low-speed control is still an issue but that is true too with the VFR.  I'm thinking about it also but no decision yet.  I might go lighter or I might go to a three-wheeler. The more I think about CanAm, the more I like it.  Unfortunately, our current condition is probably going to have a huge impact on the motorcycle industry.  Sales on new bikes will definitely drop.  Not sure on the used market.  But, I do believe there are going to be bargains that are too good to pass up.  We shall see. 

[Viffer18]

Originally Posted by mzflorida

Sales on new bikes will definitely drop.  Not sure on the used market.  But, I do believe there are going to be bargains that are too good to pass up.  We shall see.

I think dealers will be off loading lots of stock. Maidstone HD had an event this weekend, putting 50 new 2020 bikes on the forecourt at marked down prices.

Sadly APR was 6.9% & there was no freewheeler (due to current issues I'm likely to have to go trike)