Hi I have just chopped the F4s in for a Brutale, does anyone have any riding impressions or know of any good write ups on the Brutale? Three weeks is going to seem like a long time!

thanks Grahame

-- Grahame (glm.home@ntlworld.com), February 08, 2004

Answers

Hi Grahame,

I had the good fortune to be allowed to ride a Brutale in the Alps last summer for about 120km. I absolutely love the bike, so much so I get mine on the 1st of March (provided it doesn't get held up). You a Brit for the new reg by any chance?

Its difficult to explain it, as on the type of roads we were on (very tight 1st/2nd gear corners) it was easier to ride than the F4, mainly due to the engine re-tune and gearing, and the bars being nice and wide. I found myself leaving behind the guys I had been riding neck and neck with as soon as I got on it. And vice-versa when they rode it. Its more comfortable, and feels smaller than the F4 (well it did to me) which is cool, as I'm only 5 foot 8 ish.

It drinks a bit of juice mind you, but as soon as I got off of it myself and the other Brit to ride it were grinning like idiots mouthing the "I NEED one of those" kind of superlatives the F4 first ride made me rant! I don't think you'll be dissapointed, though be careful on the gas thing, it holds a couple of litres less gas, and drinks a tad more.

Phil.

-- Phil (p.wood@tesco.net), February 08, 2004.

Thanks Phil. Answer to your question, yes living in Yorkshire. Where are you? mine comes 1st of March if it's on time.red and silver, whats yours?

thanks Grahame

-- Grahame (glm.home@ntlworld.com), February 09, 2004.

I am a proud owner of a 2003 Brutale, I had an F4 as well, and the brutty is absolutely fantastic, stunning looks, engine is still a bit poor, but anyway a lot more grunty than my previous 2001 F4, it' veeeery regular and the sound is the best thing about the bike, Handlingwise the front is so directional and you feel completely in control, it seems you are holding the front wheel with your hands, fuel: 10 litres=90 kms.... :-( but Who cares!

-- luca (lucduc76@hotmail.com), February 10, 2004.

Thanks Luca, 90kms to empty seems a little short. Is this caused by the size of the tank or are there problems with Brutales? My F4 used to do about 150kms to empty.

-- Grahame (glm.home@ntlworld.com), February 11, 2004.

I took delivery of my 2004 Brutale last week. I love it. Sitting in my garage it looks like it came from another planet, everthing is so crisp and shaped. I can almost feel the pride of the designers, they must have loved their job. I have only done 130km so far, and quite a few of those two up, but the thought which keeps going through my mind is that it is a very sharp knife. It cuts such a clean line on the road, around corners and away from the lights, with so little effort from me. For a brand new bike, it has an enormous amount of character, it snarls, it howls, and it looks great. My fuel light came on after 110 k's then took 14 litres, so thats pretty bad fuel economy, but it is new, maybe that will improve.

-- Ian Sylvester (standguard@telstra.com), February 15, 2004.