The Volusia s low seat height makes it an easy bike to become comfortable with. And while the motor gives sufficient torque to make a speedy getaway, its low-end power delivery is smooth enough to not startle a biker returning to the fold after a couple of decades. One piece of motorcycling nostalgia still intact is the need to use four fingers to grip the Volusia s front brake. Although most modern brakes have turned stopping into a two-finger affair, the Volusia s brakes are rather stubborn. Once a good fistful has been applied, however, the Volusia slows down very quickly, although without a lot of feedback.
Suspension travel is confident and compliant, with a good feel for the road.
Because the Volusia s foot pegs are placed forward, the first thing to hit ground when cornering hard are your boot heels. If you are gently leaning in, the feeling is a light scrape that allows you to moderate your lean angle. But if you slam the bike over into a corner, it can be enough of an impact to knock your boot off the footpeg. What s more, while the seat is comfortable, it does have a tendency to translate engine vibration directly to the rider s lumbar area. I also had a problem with the location of the engine s bell housing.