Once on the move, the age and character of
the boxer continue to show. There's a slight pull
from the shaft drive under heavy acceleration, and
despite having an optional quickshifter fitted for
the first time, the gearbox is hardly quick or slick
by modern standards. The fueling, however, is per-
fect—soft and sweetly metered in Road and Rain
modes, with Dynamic mode adding urgency to
throttle inputs without being overly aggressive—
Peak power remains at the R nineT's mark of 109
horsepower but arrives 250 rpm sooner, with peak
torque now at 84.8 lb-ft at 6500 rpm, which is 0.7
lb-ft less and 500 rpm higher in the rev range.
Changes to the four-valves-per-cylinder DOHC
unit are minimal, although a new airbox is posi-
tioned under the seat to eliminate the air intake duct
that ran down the right-hand side of the R nineT's
tank, and the standard exhaust is also redesigned.
VOLUME ISSUE APRIL , P101