Quote:
Originally Posted by Halford  Hi Don,
Thanks for all this but you're confusing me. As a relatively new rider I'm fresh off the training program (and gobs of reading) which insists that counter-steering is essential to operating ALL motorcycles. Why would it be any different with the 109? |
The 109 steers completely different than my 1100 Shadow did and is nearly 4 times my body weight. It is nowhere near as maneuverable at slower speeds as a smaller bike and can be sluggish at slower speeds. As much as it's power is great on the open road, you've got to be able to handle it at slower speeds as well, should you ever need to react in an emergency situation, or in a slow scenario.
If it was me, I'd take another year or two and work my way to a larger bike. It's tough, wanting something larger, but I can't say enough about the need for experience on the more powerful and heavier bikes. Far too many new riders kill themselves or ARE killed and injured every year because they had more power than experience and didn't know how to react in some dicey situations.
If you decide to get it - take ALOT of time and ride it, ride it on corners and practice alot in slow speed riding and cornering.
I'm not preaching, that's just my opinion.