That's quite funny as I had a very quick scoot on an F3 about 5 years ago, immediate followed by a quick scoot over the same roads on an 849. The brakes on the F3 were loads better although they were essentially the same. The F3 had a Nissin master cylinder - quite odd for Brembo brakes. The 849 was all Brembo. The 849 brakes really lacked feel - very wooden, but they worked OK. I certainly noticed no softness at all.
I can fit on it OK. I've been lucky enough to try it a couple of times on some quite long rides. My generous friend has a few bikes, most of which he inherited from his father, and he can't get contorted enough to ride it now, but I definitely can. Still, I was looking at what they go for now and they seem to fetch astronomical sums. He doesn't drive a hard bargain, but I can't cheat him out of at least most of what it's worth. I'd probably have to pay more than for a new bike. But I accept that it's unlikely to lose value, unless I chuck it down the road. But if I buy it, I'm going to use it. None of that garage queen bollox. Life is too short and I don't feel like accumulating needless stuff. I've always loved the DB1. That's why I told him years ago he's not to sell it without selling it to me. And I haven't been able to afford it! Still, he's in no hurry. He's got an MV750 from the 70s (which I have also ridden before its porous cylinder head problems) which he could put together again and sell if he was short of a bob. He isn't really, and he's not obsessed with money in any case. A good mate to have! I have ridden his Hailwood Rep (the original one), his Norton Commando (original), DB1, Triumph Sprint, Thunderbird, Daytona (all Hinckleys), Harley Sportster (vibrated like a bastard) and MV. And those rides haven't been just around the block but more like over twisty roads and mountains. The DB1 is by far my favourite. It's about as big as a 250 (remember them?) and makes about as much power. But you can think it around corners - any body English and it's already on its ear. You do have to rev the tits of it though (as the saying goes) to really get any forward progress. Not exactly brimming with power. But what a work of art! You have to see the milled billet master cylinders on top of the fork legs to believe them.
I wish there was a 765 coming out by the end of this year but I’m not holding my breath. Hopefully it’s coming but there is a growing consensus that it may be a Triumph Factory Custom build. And that isn’t going to be cheap.....
