I spent a couple of hundred kilometres in tight twisty turns , and pitchy , messed up back roads , as well as motorway running . In addition to that I spent a good 40km on ruts , gravel , and mud . Tracking , balance , throttle control , aerodynamics , ergonomics , weather protection , body position , finish , and wow factor were all great . The 502 was confidence-inspiring , planted and eager . Remarkable . My prejudice was trashed , exactly as it should have been . I knew there would be an underpowered feel to that 500 twin . Bollocks ! True , it won ’ t rip your arms off , pull a wheelie at 80km / h or smoke the tyre without considerable effort , or talent far beyond my own . But it will still reach loss of licence speeds given a hefty twist of the wrist . It delivers smooth power that mates with the gearbox brilliantly . The mesh is so good , I found no clutch was necessary , up or down - with intelligent use of the throttle – except when starting off . It ’ s a big bike . The same height , width and heft of any big adventure tourer , with steel trellis frame and windscreen screen , and tips the scales at over 230kg wet . Not inspiring at first . Tall . Bulky at the shoulders . Crash-bars and metal everywhere . Huge windscreen - often these make more turbulence than they
KIWI RIDER 37