I have put 700KM on the Monster in the 5 days that I have owned it. Around 400 of them came on Sunday. It was my first run on the open road on it and I got to know it better. It has been absolutely sensational for the urban running I've done on it till now so I was keen to see if it was just as good on a real-world country run. I was almost relieved to find a couple of chinks in its erstwhile virgin armour because I’ve been so smitten with this bike, it seemed almost too good to be true.
I went south, through the Nasho, Mt Kiera, back roads to Mac Pass, Kangaroo valley, Cambewarra and retraced my steps back home. It’s been a while since I've done a weekend run on a perfect, sunny day like today and I was gobsmacked at just how many bikes were out and about. I was also amazed that I didn't see a single cop all day. It was a very slow run through the Nasho following cars and some incredibly slow bikes. Tootling along in 1st and 2nd gear, entering corners almost upright that I'd normally be railing into at 100KMPH, the Monster took it in its stride. It wasn't fussed, no fretting or fuming, it was happy to cruise, even if I wasn't.
Stanwell Tops was full of 2 wheeled contraptions and associated humans tasting the freedom of the motorcycling lifestyle. Standing around looking cool for the asian tourists, sipping endless coffees while enjoying the climax of their day's riding, an hour from home. They reminded me why I couldn't remember the last time I was there on a Sunday. I love this place but its much better enjoyed on a weekday evening when you're guaranteed a traffic and cop free run through the Nasho and quiet contemplation on the hill. Still, I lingered longer than I wanted to as a leather clad cutie came over to chat to me about the Monster. I have a weakness for leather clad cuties. Even female ones.
Then I hit the Old Princes Highway heading south. That's where I discovered the first weakness of the Monster. Well, its my weakness more than the bike's to be honest. A weakness of my neck muscles to be even more specific. The year on the CBR has hardened my back and knees but has definitely softened my neck. The Monster is a true naked bike without any wind protection of the metallic, plastic or Perspex variety. There is no buffeting and the wind in your face is fresh and turbulence free. But there is a lot of it. Over 130, my neck was straining. I found the handlebars, which are perfect for urban riding, a bit too high for high speed touring. And the foot pegs, which again are perfectly placed for a roadster, are too far forward for higher speeds where you need to lean into the wind. This is where the Tuono would kill the Monster.
The bloody thing rips hard but. Rolling on in 4th gear from 100KMPH sees 170 come up in the blink of an eye. The suddenness of the acceleration and the exponential increase in wind pressure nearly dropped me off the back as I inadvertently twisted the throttle even more! Then I hit Mount Kiera and it all made sense again. Tight, technical and bumpy, I love Mount Kiera road. Its only short, maybe 30 corners over 5 Ks but stringing them together is hugely enjoyable and I’ve never enjoyed them more than on the Monster. Enough grunt to carry it all in 2nd gear and a couple of times I whacked the throttle hard on the exit of a 25K corner, the Monster snarled and the front lifted a foot off the ground.
The bloody thing rips hard but. Rolling on in 4th gear from 100KMPH sees 170 come up in the blink of an eye. The suddenness of the acceleration and the exponential increase in wind pressure nearly dropped me off the back as I inadvertently twisted the throttle even more! Then I hit Mount Kiera and it all made sense again. Tight, technical and bumpy, I love Mount Kiera road. Its only short, maybe 30 corners over 5 Ks but stringing them together is hugely enjoyable and I’ve never enjoyed them more than on the Monster. Enough grunt to carry it all in 2nd gear and a couple of times I whacked the throttle hard on the exit of a 25K corner, the Monster snarled and the front lifted a foot off the ground.
Then I hit MacPass and it made even more sense. I overtook so many bikes going up, I lost count. The Monster came with the Michelin PR4 tyres that I’ve never used before. They’re a nice profile though not as soft as I’d like them and don’t heat up very quickly. Still, I was confident enough to lean it all the way over though I was conservative with how quickly I got on the gas. The Monster lives for leaping out of corners. I doubt there is any production motorcycle that is more enjoyable to just whack out of corners. So much grunt, it snarls, lifts the front and you feel like one of those guys from the test riding videos.
It was bike central at the Robertson Pie shop too and some beautiful bikes were getting a good tan in the sun. Got chatting to a couple of wizened gents on sportsbikes. One was on a Panigale S tricolour, the other one on a tricked Busa. I could tell, by their relaxed manner, that they were old timers at this “going fast” game and quite enjoyed chatting to them about everything from Squids to MotoGP.
It was bike central at the Robertson Pie shop too and some beautiful bikes were getting a good tan in the sun. Got chatting to a couple of wizened gents on sportsbikes. One was on a Panigale S tricolour, the other one on a tricked Busa. I could tell, by their relaxed manner, that they were old timers at this “going fast” game and quite enjoyed chatting to them about everything from Squids to MotoGP.
I left quickly, went down to Kangaroo Valley and the Cambewarra bends before turning around and retracing my steps all the way home. Heading back down MacPass I baited some sportsbike riders and a dude on a Multistrada to see if they were up for some fun. They thought they were but naah.
It was an epic day. Hard and fast in the twisty bits but plenty of breaks and just enjoying the day at my pace. The fuel range was fantastic though I don’t know exactly how many Ks I got as I couldn’t work out how to reset the bloody trip meter, the dash has so much information and options!
Overall, the Monster does have limitations for high speed touring. Not insurmountable ones. Sure you could fit a screen and put rearsets on it to make it more comfortable at higher speeds but that would fundamentally change the look and character of the bike. I don’t plan to do either. I love it as it is and for 90% of my riding, I cannot think of a better bike on the planet.
I am really starting to like the look of it too. I’ve ordered some bits to clean up the rear, which should help with the gag reflex everytime I walk around it.
It was an epic day. Hard and fast in the twisty bits but plenty of breaks and just enjoying the day at my pace. The fuel range was fantastic though I don’t know exactly how many Ks I got as I couldn’t work out how to reset the bloody trip meter, the dash has so much information and options!
Overall, the Monster does have limitations for high speed touring. Not insurmountable ones. Sure you could fit a screen and put rearsets on it to make it more comfortable at higher speeds but that would fundamentally change the look and character of the bike. I don’t plan to do either. I love it as it is and for 90% of my riding, I cannot think of a better bike on the planet.
I am really starting to like the look of it too. I’ve ordered some bits to clean up the rear, which should help with the gag reflex everytime I walk around it.
Hail motorcycles.