WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYY
Picked the T8 up from Forza Italia this morning and left the ST with them so they could sort it's dragging clutch.
First impressions:
Well the footpegs are a lot higher than I'm used to and although I didn't stall it leaving the dealers, I did have an ungainly moment trying to find the footpegs as soon as I set off. Then I found my leathers had ruched up round my nads and had to stand up on the pegs sharpish to prevent mucho pain
All this before I left the forecourt! I'd like to think I looked like Rossi pulling my leathers straight, but I probably just looked like a fat bloke who needs to be a lot more supple limbed.
The bike feels wonderfully taught and smooth for a twelve year old and the fuelling is spot on. The bike actually felt slower than the ST at first, until you look down at the speedo! It seems to do the speeds the ST does with far less fuss which is why it felt slower at first. The other reason it felt slower was that I was riding it like a two valver, surfing the torque and changing up around 8K, errr no... got it onto one of my favourite roads and turned the wick up a bit and 8K is where it starts getting into it's stride, the last 2000 rpm is where it starts to fly and make all those gorgeous airbox noises.
The bike is a lot smaller than the ST and fits me quite nicely, although my legs still feel cramped. I'm still getting used to the riding position and find changing gear a bit of a problem, especially downshifts where I have to lift my foot off the peg to dab the lever. It's actually a lot easier to ride with 'duck feet' - with your instep on the pegs, but towards the end of the ride I was getting used to my normal style of riding with the balls of my feet on the pegs.
Haven't got used to the new body position enough to start hanging off the bike with any great confidence, so I haven't really banged it onto it's ear into corners yet, the front tyre is new as well so scrubbing that in means I've been a bit more careful....well, I got a bit enthusiastic a couple of times, enough to know that it turns in quite a bit quicker than the ST, seems to steer more accurately and it feels far more planted and less wobbly.
Oh yes, I'm going to need new neck muscles as well because I have to hold my head up more....
Other than that, I think I can feel the first flush of love and a long term relationship with her coming on.