staying comfy
Has it got adjustable suspension ? Well that ’ s another gadget as the Rally has a semi-active suspension front and rear . All you have to do is get on and go and the onboard computer takes care of the rest . It ’ s a real bonus to not have to keep poking around with knobs at service stations to find the right zone for the forks and shocks as this little beauty does all that for you , constantly making adjustments that you won ’ t even know it ’ s doing .
Engine delivery and behaviour
Engine and power – this is important to we that explore for other reasons that those that tear around the countryside looking for an apex to blast out of . We carry a LOT of stuff and do so for very long periods often up very steep climbs and drops . Yes , you use an engine to slow you down as well as speed you up . The Rally has a 1197cc V-Twin that will give 125hp and 84.8ft . lb of torque for a 238kg DW bike . More than enough to pull you , a pillion , a shed load of camping kit and the bike up any pass you care to take her . There is plenty of response from the engine to the ground to pick up in the midrange , if you get into a snag with the traffic you can ride with confidence that your exit point can be attained with just a quick lifesaver and drop of the hammer .
That power is coupled with a lot of control from the onboard systems and the very well balanced set up that to be honest made her very flickable for a big girl in the urban jungle . If you ’ re off to parts unknown this quality I feel it ’ s a bonus to know that she is going to flick around a pothole or even a slow moving Rickshaw that pulls out from some dark alleyway or a Ukrainian truck that is on your side of the road just because there are less holes on your side and you end up flicking to the verge with a WTF look on your face .