Just got back from an 85mile ride on the Guzzi 1000 SP NT, over a mix of roads and traffic conditions. Not just any 85miles, but the first few!
Initial reaction was the front feels funny; then remembered it was a brand new front tyre. Seemed to get better once I guess the 'newness' rode off.
It's quite rural, so to get used to it, tried some 'B' and unclassified roads, some with grass growing down the middle. Took a few miles to work out or find a comfy position on the saddle; the clutch seemed heavy and the throttle 'stiff'.....seem to recall Guzzi's were renowned for a'stiff' throttle...(
by end of ride seemed ok, I expect it will take some miles to get used to that!). The front brake lever is obviously suited to someone with bigger hands too - but ok.
Initially thought the front brakes were poor; then remembered the linked set-up and tried to get used to using the foot and sometimes a little r/h brake sometimes. That's better!
Rode through some urban areas/towns that were a bit busy; surprised I could get in and out of the gears and even find neutral at a standstill (
or thereabouts). Had expected a gearbox like the Guzzi NF single; but maybe that was just different and the flywheel effect on that. Once found one false neutral the whole ride! At low speeds and ambling it seems the SP will cope ok and not be a torture. Riding position quite nice (
once adjusted to the seat a bit) and seems comfy; can get feet down and manageable in a good way.
The fairing is (
surprisingly) really very good; I must be a the right height for it; no buffeting; nothing nasty when going a bit faster....expect on a very hot day (
today wasn't bad) it might even be too warm. Still wont have to worry about that for a while.
After escaping a fuel stop, and negotiating the myriad of roundabouts; back into the country on a B road than an A road. Upto and around town I can see (possibly) where the 'agricultural' references in test talk about; not in a bad way just not a modern 'knife-thru-butter' way. Once around 50-55-60-65-70mph (
all managed easily and no stress on bike or rider) the bike assumed an amazing smoothness....whereas the K75 was/is smooth everywhere...this is comparable in that range. Lovely and torquey too. Does seem to take a wee while for the signals from the (stiff) throttle to the road but creamy smooth and 'majestic'. Gather the tourers differed in the 'go dept' from the Le Mans types - at this showing, in a word NICE.
Once bimbling along country A and B roads the bike came into its own, and was a great companion. Suspension fine (
not rock hard like some Italian bikes). Less fussy and nowhere near as vibey as the T140 I had a while back; that was the same age; and seems more solid and planted, and far less vibey all round.
Overall a great ride on what I think will be a good companion; once I adjust to the seat, clutch and throttle!
I will (
do) miss the NF (
& triple K)
- but my knee and back doesn't.
As far as I can tell (but hell, I am no expert) the only deviations from std are: Think the burgundy colour non-std (
might have been standard on a 850 T4); assume non-std/replica/replacement silencers; a bra!; (PO) Previous owner fitted some fog/spot-lamps on the crash-bars; the seat looks as if it has been lowered (
may see if I can alter that a bit...); the lower faring lowers have been 'shortened' to little wings below the tank; assume PO may have banged his knees on them.
Seems to be ok to me, quite like it as it is. Not turned into a café-racer as seems the norm!
M