I have to say, the brakes on
this bike are exceptional for
road riding
The USD forks work a treat making for accurate, predictable and
confidence inspiring steering.
I prefer the feel of this front-end to that of the Tele-Lever on the GS models.
The turn-in is not ultra-agile or fast, but it’s certainly quick enough for the
bike to be effortlessly punted through a series of tight turns and always
feels stable and very well connected to the road surface. Of course, the up-
right riding position and wide, straight bars aid in this area a lot too.
The rear Paralever suspension just seems to be getting better and better very
year. Is doesn’t seem all that long ago that the BMW drive shaft, single-sided
swingarm and solid looking rear diff stood out for all the wrong reasons… namely
being not particularly controlled, with a dead slightly harsh feel. Yes, times have
certainly changed and the R1250R rear end has stepped-up to the plate.
I have to say, the brakes on this bike are exceptional for road riding. Sporting a set
of Brembo radial calipers at the front, there’s a particularly strong initial bite and
thereafter they’re powerful. Only light lever pressure is required for some fairly
serious stopping.
This could be a bad thing if there wasn’t
much feel of what was going on coming through the brake lever, but thankfully
there’s heaps of feel. For those riders coming from older or single front disc
machines, heck even some two disc machines, the phenomenal braking power of
62 KIWI RIDER