Hello chaps! (And chapesses)

[Faversham]

Greetings all from sunny Nunny (Nuneaton). Just joined the CT set after doing a deal to chop in my disappointingly unreliable 17 plate 1200GS TE for the bike I probably should have bought in the first place.

I pick up my CT in about a week but this won't be my first Honda nor DCT bike. I have previously owned both a 1990 RD03 Africa Twin and more recently an XADV750 DCT and still have a 1977 CX in kit form (to be tùrned into either a cafe racer or flat tracker at some point).  Looking forward to getting my hands on the CT and doing some miles. 👍

[Murphy]

Welcome and Congratulations! You’re gonna love it!

[Faversham]

Thanks. Just back from the test ride. All good.  Some ergos need addressing but then they always do on every bike to make it fit. It comes with the MRA screen with the laminar lip which is about as much use as a handbrake on a canoe so first order of business is to get a bigger screen, lowered pegs, grip puppies and possibly a softer seat. The DCT is great - a bit clunkier than my XADV in 1st and 2nd but all changes well and no snatchiness. The biggest difference I notice from the GS though is the engine- so much smoother and it feels way more powerful even though the numbers are roughly the same.

Looking forward to it not breaking down on me though!

[Faversham]

I picked up the CT on Saturday morning and I have to say it's brilliant.  Way more smooth and refined than the GS, which felt like a tractor by comparison. The DCT is still a little clunky after a reset but only in 1st/2nd and at very low speed, otherwise smooth as silk.  I appreciate that it's not quite going to be as refined as the DCT box on my XADV from last year but even so, by comparison to the GS it's like butter.

Her Ladyship graced the pillion with her withers on Saturday for a blast over to SILs for an overnight and was still waxing lyrical about how much more comfy it is than the GS after the return trip so win, win there!

I got a few quid back from the part-x with the BMW so I'm treating the CT to some new luggage and some farkles.  I've already dropped the lowered pegs on and my leg position is much improved.  Black Givi Outback trekker luggage is on order to replace the rather battered OEM boxes (which seem ridiculously flimsy to me).  I've also got a Hepco & Becker bash plate, Voigt barbacks, a Skidmarx screen and a Puig spolier on the way to as the MRA Vario currently on the bike is about as much use as a handbrake on a canoe.

Tomorrow morning sees the first big run in the form of my weekly commute to Portsmouth from Warwickshire via the office in Central London so I'm looking forward to seeing how the CT copes with the A5 and London snarl.

Overall though, chuffed to bits thus far and I think a wise decision has been made in ditching the unreliable and over-rated GS in favour of the CT.

Toodle pip!

[pistnbroke]

 

A bit late i know,
but  aboard Faversham, hope you are enjoying the CT and the forum.

Anyway, how is your trip through the London snarl and on to Portsmouth.

Ride safe and stay healthy.
 
pistnbroke