KIWI RIDER MARCH 2021 VOL1 | Page 49

I remember an identical feel with the factory fitted rubber on my T120 a few years ago . Tyres with a different profile fixed that issue , and would almost certainly do the same here . Two : I could smell fuel sometimes , but found no source for it . Three : The seat is hard labour , like breaking rocks with your arse . Sadly . Four : There is no electronic wizardry ; just a fuel gauge , a neutral light , trip meter – tacho and rev counter - that ’ s it . I did say it ’ s back-to-basics .
GRAN TOURISMO - OR NOT So , the general experience of riding the GT is also retro , there ’ s nothing competing with your attention to take your mind off the task at hand , and that ’ s , frankly , endearing . We ’ re talking seat-of-the-pants control , managed by feel and sound with the rider ’ s full attention fixed on the outside world , no bad thing . But while the marketing department at Enfield has called this a GT , a Gran Tourismo , it is not . It ’ s pure café racer in styling , and even if it won ’ t wreck your wrist , neck and back quite as quickly as a true racer would , I ’ d certainly baulk at riding it from Auckland to the Burt . That being said , own this and you are going to find the keys to the GT in your hand more often than anything else . Why ? Because of that simple , marvellous willingness . It whips round corners , engages the ear with a throaty blap , zips through perfect
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