I kinda figured you guys were getting tired of me droning on and on about the "big orange beast," so I was trying to give you all a break...but since you asked.
Closing on on 3K miles. Took DM on a 200 mile ride on Saturday. Sunday morning DM and I were talking the previous day's ride and I started to get the shakes. That's it...forget riding the 690 today, I need to take the SAS out for a real ride. I had a craving to go ride some of the wonderful roller-coaster roads in the region. I just happened to have a 298 mile ride loaded up into the GPS. True to form, 9 hours and 350 miles later I was almost back home. Once riding this bike, I just don't want to turn back towards home. I have never done a 356 mile day ride on all back roads...ever.
I'm realizing some things. I'm calmer riding this bike. I'm closer to the speed limit more often than before, and just more relaxed. I enjoy a spirited ride. On the Tenere that required me to be more aggressive to get the desired performance. I was always happy to do it, and I'm not sure I even realized it. On the SAS the performance is always there, just waiting to be requested. No need for aggression. The difference in spirited riding can be measured in lip and upper torso movements. On the Tenere it was tense lips, bearing your teeth a bit, and leaning forward. On the SAS it's a smile, often a chuckle, and probably getting pulled backwards just a tad. It's more peaceful and relaxing.
To me, the SAS is not about high speeds. It's all about high (make that super high) acceleration rates. Those rates are available at all times and they are incredibly satisfying. Couple that with the smooth speed shifting that does not require you to back off the throttle to shift, and it just keeps going. If you watch Ryan in the FortNone video review of the SAR you'll get a good feel for what I'm referencing. I think he missed the point on the linear throttle response, but overall it's an excellent summary of the power of this bike.
Dirt wise, if you set the SAS to Offroad mode it's power will be familiar to everyone here. Rides a lot like the Tenere in Sport mode in the dirt. It's an extremely familiar feeling. I honestly don't like riding it in dirt all that much. With the 5% off road tires I'm afraid I'm just going to prematurely shred them like I did with the more dirt worthy tires. There's not much to be gained from killing these tires that fast. Plus not putting a skid plate on the bike yet makes me a little more timid. So far I'm okay with that.
After 6 weeks, I have to say I am still so excited to get on the SAS. Some bikes change you life. The V-Strom 1000 turned me into a long distance rider. The Tenere gave me the go anywhere with confience, and go really, really far away without a care. The SAS has already changed my riding style with the power and speed shifting it is fantastically entertaining yet comfortable and relaxing at the same time. Curious to see what other riding life changes lay ahead.