The bars are perfect, wide enough and low enough to feel purposeful, but not uncomfortable. The clutch is heavier, but after a few miles and adjusting where I put my fingers on the lever, I don't notice it again.
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The engine is lovely. Proper mid-range drive and a willingness to rev means it has soul, although when I glance at the speedo I notice the sensation of speed is greater than I think. It feels quick enough, but you're actually traveling slower than you'd guess. That works fine for me. Zipping through the gears, it feels really eager and nippy, and if I were just arsing around on back lanes or through town, I'd be perfectly happy with the little 750, but I need more in my life. A 900 it is.
Once I get onto my regular commute of tiny, gravel-strewn lanes and pot-holed unclassifieds, I worry briefly that the bike won't handle it. I needn't have. It shrugs off bumps that see even the GS shudder a bit. It's accurate and planted, even with the front-end wobble, but becomes vague mid lean as there's little feedback due to the shoddy forks.
The brake feels a little dead, but it's unadjustable as far as I could see. I'd be tempted to put a bit of air in for some more feel, or different pads. Powerful enough, though.
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Equipment-wise, there's nothing. It's a basic, light air-cooled motorcycle. I'd need heated grips and some tidying up, and a few hundred off the price. It's not a two grand bike. I'd also need a rev counter as I had no idea where I was in the rev range or when to change down. The chain adjusters spoil it a little bit as they look the same that hung off the back of my Bandit. Horrible, rattly, inaccurate things. However, someone on the UK Monster forum has pointed out some much neater CNC-machined plates to replace them for under £40 which would ease my frustration. I think Gilles would ruin the look.
Looking at the sides of the bike, there's too much tape and cable ties on the frame for my liking. I think over time I'd re-arrange some parts that could be easily moved under the seat and tank to clean up the look of the engine. The cases need a lick of paint, too. Other than that, it's a very pretty bike.
I had a right blast on it. I can happily live with an older Monster. In fact, I'd prefer this ancient model to the ER6, in case you hadn't already guessed.
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