ComforTmaxed Vultus (Photoshopped)
Back in 2014 Olde Bobbe Wreford created this image by merging a photograph of me sitting on the original Mk1 ComforTmax with a photo of the newly announced Honda Vultus and he commented:
"All a Vultus needs is a bigger screen, bigger CMax Andrew Gibbens topbox and a seatback to get 80% of the FF experience :)"
Now, in 2016, having ridden a Vultus some 2,000 miles I can say with authority that even as standard a Vultus is capable of providing a pretty authentic FF experience.
As can be seen in many of the photos elsewhere in this gallery, the Vultus has a seatback as standard, albeit somewhat smaller than a Volvo 340 car seatback, but still pretty effective. It has storage space in the fairing and panniers are available as an option. Taller screens and racks for a Givi Maxia top box are also available. PNB
and, and etc.
You'll have real trouble finding a Volvo 340 seatback these days (regrettably) And of course the seats way too high. And it's got telescopic forks. And it's only a single seater. And you'll get really wet feet. And wind blast right in your face. And there's no leg protection.
And, worse of all, it's vapourware.
I know it's embarrassing to be shown up by the Americans but, frankly, I'd rather look at pics of real, actual, FFs - you know, seatbase below 20", non-steered suspension, really anything er... real. Most of all I'd prefer to look at pics of a race FF, on track. Not least because it's more likely to attract the attention of anyone coming across Bikeweb for the first time, but also because it's the most interesting thing the site's had on it this year.
But don't mind me, an FF racer got on track without any help from Bikeweb, or the English 'FF community', so carry on dreaming.
2016 Update
See the revised comments above and the new photos elsewhere in this Vultus gallery to better appreciate how close even a standard Vultus can come to providing an authentic FF experience. PNB