i know this subject has probably been discussed already..but for what it`s worth,here`s my take on it.
i took my 1050 in for service on saturday morning and the shop borrowed me a 1200 for the day.
time to play
as i looked around the bike i must say i was taken in by the quality of the finish....paint work,coatings and metalwork all looked good
this bike was fitted with the low seat,which was then put on it`s highest setting by one of the shop staff.
my first impression of the riding position was good although you seem to sit lower and further back...not a problem for me as i have the arms of an orangutan
the riding position on the 1050 is higher and closer to the bars like a motox bike.
the chap from the shop informs me that this bike has a fly by wire throttle,and that i`m to use caution as it`s very sensative,but to be honest i can`t tell the difference.
so off we go(with a friend on a busa) into the derbyshire countryside .
there are one or two rain showers forecast and in places the road is wet,but the explorer inspires confidence and i easily keep up with the busa in these conditions.
soon enough we hit a downpour,but it does`nt worry me...i feel unstopable on the explorer
a few minutes later, we`re out of the rain and the roads are dry,this gives me a chance to pick up the pace...wow,the engine and chassis are brilliant...it feels more torquey than the 1050 which is unsuprising but i am suprised by it`s agility....altogether more nimble and flickable than my bike.
we carry on through picturesque villages,across open moorland and over craggy hills when i start to become aware of sore butt cheeks,this is rather disappointing as we`re only a couple of hours into the ride,and i know for a fact that my 1050 is good for a full days ride
i`m also getting incredibly hot around my nether regions,so i check to see if a heated seat is fitted,but i don`t see any switch gear for it,so it has to be marked down as a negative
i get the call from the shop to say my bike is ready for collection,so we head for chesterfield.
en route i decide to give the brakes a bit of a workout...no probs with the abs on this bike
although on one particular savage yank the engine cuts out and then on another the seat moves forward
by the time we reach the shop it feels like my testicles have been boiled and i have been continually kicked in the ass by a large footed man wearing boots
anyway...we do the change over and as i ride off the relief to my behind is instant...my groin cools down and i realise how much i love my 1050...so much so,that i end up staying out for another 5 hours.
so to sum up...the 1200 is more powerful and better handling but it`s less comfortable and in my opinion does`nt look as good.
on second thoughts....maybe it does
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