Took a MT-09 for a spin

[KitchenSync]

So my Yamaha dealer have an MT-09 demonstrator sitting there. I couldn't resist - but was a little hesitant in case I found the contrast between Sig and a new bike like sitting in a Morris Minor after driving a new car.

I needn't have worried.

Very nice sitting upright, but a little too short for my liking. Brilliant in the city, lovely handling, wonderful noise from the 3 cyl 850cc engine.... but not for me. Speed was not pleasant and the throttle was very very snatchy on all but the softest of modes, not helped by having to ride with bent arms and with my upper body pivoting back and forth - I'm very used to holding my weight on my arms I guess.

I lapped up the low speed stability though - turning within a narrow street with ease, something I never find easy on the Falco even after nearly 30,000 miles together.

Getting back on The Sig after an hour riding on an insanely powerful bmx bike felt like clutching onto a missile with only a jockey's saddle for comfort. I was shocked at how alien it felt after such a short time. But it felt like home... and not at all like a Morris Minor.

That v-twin sound... nothing beats it.

So now it's on to fitting that RSV engine sitting around here somewhere!

[flatlander]

one of the brothers had the MT-01 binned it in the first week courtesy of a farmer leaving crap over the road got the replacement and had akra's fitted we went through France and my favourite bit was when he came past with all the luggage on fire I was pissing myself especially as he had been giving me a lecture about how I should be able to load my tail pack on my own in the morning as I ahd wanted to tighten it up

he did say he would never tour on it again certainly not with the baffles out