First break-in ride.
I took it out on some local trails to break it in a bit and try it out. Just trail riding.
Of course the bike felt very 'trials like' which makes sense. Steep, quick steering, minimal suspension. (Although worked wel) gaps to upper gears.
Clutch and brakes have great feel, engine ran perfectly cold to hot. Very smooth, predictable power- very controllable.
I have to get into the mode of riding this type setup on the trail,I've been riding a KTM 300 XCW set up for woods (Rekluse, LHRB, tons of bottom end, very low pressure mich trials tyres etc)- and of course it is much quicker. But if not TOO rough I think the Explorer will move along quite well.
Things I like.
Super light, responsive
Great power and control
With bar risers, comfortable for all day standing.
What I don't like.
Gas cap is small and leaks
Pirelli tryes don't have the grip of the Michelins
Have have to learn how to use a clutch! (And foot brake)
The foot brake does have much, much better feel than the one on my KTM, but still nothing like the Left hand rear brake. Of course, without an auto clutch using the LHRB all the time is rather difficult.
I've figured how to use the Rekluse and still keep very good control- using brakes to slip the clutch. But of course the 300 has a lot more power, plus the manual clutch still has more total control I think.
I need to lean to slip the clutch for nasty, long hills- since I'm used to just having he Rekluse do it.
It was harder for me to climb some really muddy, slick, long hills than my KTM . But I'm sure part of that are the tyres and the rest is leaning the balance on this bike (I've got a lot of hours on the KTM) and more time with clutch.
Overall I really like it and should be great fun for the tight mountain trails I like so much. Having a seat is nice for when I get out of shape and revert to sitting, or the ruts are so deep that there is no way to keep feet on the pegs.
Seat heigh is much lower than the KTM, but still a very comfortable position to sit.
The bar risers gave a lot better standing all day position for me, although I'm sure I loose a bit of control- but my neck would ache after all day with the stock setup.
Here are a couple of videos.
First is just walking around it, second is just cruising along an easy trail.