- Mon Sep 30, 2013 10:58 am
#29053
Paul, I test rode one on Saturday. Looks great, would sound better with a quality mega silencer rather than the heavy bulky 'loud' Enfield version. One being built on the showroom floor had a horrific weld for the silencer cone 'Out of the factory' said the salesman. Test bike had 535 and GT stickers from Hitchcocks on rear tail and side panels - and what a difference those small tweaks made. The ride? Fierce brakes, performance nice and smooth but it needs a boost from a better pipe and a dyno run would be a good move as acceleration is 'progressive' at best. The test bike throttle was sloppy in that the cable had stretched and needed tightened so I was unable to give it the customary blip. Gear shifting was a pick sloppy too - I was used to the sharp change on a Thruxton. It cut out a few times when cold, which I have read about on the internet following the Ace Café launch. Solid, stable and well planted, but so too is my 04 classic. Being a short-arse I found the bars just a bit high, and hip-lock kicked in - I was trying to work out if the bars can be moved ie if they are adjustable for width and height/angle. If you want to look good, then by golly this bike makes you look good - I couple of other guys were in for a test ride and it looks great. I am sure our hosts and others will bring out some bits in due course to replace the footpegs (poor quality), two-up seat, rack, etc. Would I buy one now? None of us said we would right now but we would rather wait and see how the market develops. Would I sell my 04 Classic? Unlikely, although it has had its problems it is a comfortable riding position. Plus, all my bikes are right foot shifting - it is difficult getting on a test bike with the brain trained in other ways so I think a suck it and see approach is best.