“This is comfortably the most competent, reliable bike I have ever owned or even ridden. It isn't the world's fastest or most exciting bike but it does everything I ask of it and does it all well. I do about 8000 miles a year on average so I'm looking at comfort and reliability as key components to ownership and this bike offers both in spades. It can cut it in the twisties, is manageable in town and I have comfortably ridden several hundred miles on successive days without problems. I love this bike.”
“Bikes is everything I expected - I was predisposed to like it; I love the sound and power delivery of V4's.
Stock tyres fitted were crap - Bridgestone BT021; unfortunately it took me 8000 miles to wear them out. Replaced with Bridgestone Battlax T30 EVO GT's and the bike is soooo much better. I bought the bike new in January and have just short of 10,000 miles on the clock which speaks volumes for how comfortable the bike is.
The bikes has done everything from boring motorway commutes to the famous Stelvio Pass in the Alps and never disappoints; though I was aware of the bikes weight on some of those Alpine hairpins.
Bought the bike fully aware there was a product recall on the driveshaft, this was addressed by Honda in the first few months of ownership and the supposed issue was never perceived by me.
This bike is a sports tourer, not an out and out sports bike but has more than enough performance for most people. Acceleration is fantastic and an optimistic speedo suggests the top end is 188 MPH - I'm sure this is nowhere near a true reading but it was plenty quick enough for me. As a tourer the luggage is excellent - not the largest capacity I've ever owned but more than adequate for a 10 days tour to Europe. It offers the great advantage of a single key for ignition, top box and panniers. Heated grips are excellent - so much better than aftermarket alternatives and the touring screen is more effective than looks suggest it should be. Only possible downside of the GT version is possibly the centre stand for anyone who really wants to ride the twisties hard; when really pushing it this is the first thing that grounds.
I really love this bike, looks are subjective and I know some find the bike ugly, personally it has grown on me. Dedicated tourers moan about the tank range, I average about 175 miles on an average tank and quite frankly I'm ready to refuel with at least a coffee by then anyway so it has never been an issue. I bought it with Honda's 3 year / 24000-mile service pack (an extra £575.-), a brilliantly good value offer - get it if you still can.
I also bought Honda's dedicated tank bag - this would be my only real criticism - too small and too fiddly (you have to unclip the mouint to refuel. Bagster's solutions are better and more versatile.
All in all a great bike for the real world biker.”
“horrible clunky low speed power take up on drive shaft 70s bmw is better iknow cos i got one gear change rubbish recall drive shaft made no difference got rid and bought an aprilia falco instead”
