i think its important to look at the ten with a off road point of view
ive run 1150gs and two 1200s and no way would i swap back ..
its a soft bike ..what i mean is its suspension and engine are set soft ..this for me equates to a really good trail bike
hard charging is not on my radar on the ten and i find it well mannered and easy going off road
on the road i think it handles real well for a trail bike
the screen needs replacing for motorway work ..givi and mra wing is my solution
a airhawk slung on the saddle makes it very comfy indeed
for me i found the gearing to tall ..annoying getting caught between gears on the road and too much clutch slipping off
i went for 14 /46 and i love the compramise ..
tickover in 2nd and more zip ......
one gear higher at 40 and 50
just stick to a sat nav 70 on the motorways
the other thing i addressed was the height ..i lowered it 1in at the back
and dropped the forks so i could manage better off road ..im 6ft 1 tall
i its a bike that requires a certain minset ..im not bothered about the lack of power ..ive run some very quick bikes in the past
i actually passed over a multistrada and a few others to buy the660 ten ..the ten was more fun ..and more practical ..and most importantly more managable off road for me
..i rarely feel underbiked running with gses and ktms ..until of course you hit the motorway .. than im happy with mp3 playing behind me screen at a staedy 75
if your used to thumpers and maby vees i think you will like it straight away if you come from fours it may seem a tad agricultural
a good test ride is where its at ..ignore the screen seat gearing and any height issues you think it may have as they a re simple fixes
i love riding mine ..its a keeper no question
good luck
By
null at 2011-02-20