The Bosch ride-by-wire fuel mapping is smooth with no jerkiness on and off throttle, but there is a power surge that kicks in at 6000-6500 rpm and goes nuts at 7000 rpm. An inexperienced rider might feel a bit unsettled, kind of like a missile went off and better hold on tight.
There is some vibration in the crotch area when spinning in the 6000 to 8000 rpm range (redline is 8000), but with normal gear changes up to 5000-6000 rpm there is little to no vibration.
Front braking took some time getting accustomed to. The Brembo master cylinder, Brembo Stylema radial calipers, and braided lines have a much different feel compared to the average master cylinder, calipers, and rubber lines on most other motorcycles.
Maxxis MA-ST2 tires feel like a softer rubber compared to high mileage touring tires, and they warm up rather quickly. The dealer had the rear set at 42 psi cold and the front at 40 psi cold. I set them to 38 rear and 36 front.
Suspension is good for me as set from factory. For reference, I weigh 190 pounds. The forks don’t over-dive on hard stops (when applying both front and back). The rear shock soaks up bumps nicely (manhole covers, RR tracks, rough roads). I never felt like I had to raise my butt up off the seat. The bike feels well planted when doing high-speed sweeping curves and leans easily into sharp curves while tracking nicely. Again, rather subjective based on how you ride, where you ride, and skill level.
The CLX 700 Sport isn’t a Mary Poppins practically perfect in every way. But it does have everything I appreciate in a good motorcycle. Comfortable ergonomics, smooth gear box, stable handling, excellent braking, and enough power to satisfy my need for speed.
I believe this motorcycle will be a viable choice for those looking at middleweight naked or retro styles. Take a look at the Kawasaki Z650 and Z650 RS. Or the Yamaha MT-07 and XSR 700. Compared to the CLX 700 Sport, they are priced high with non-adjustable telescopic forks, lower spec rear shock, and standard brake systems. Slipper clutch, maybe. Smooth ride-by-wire throttle, maybe. Seat comfort, maybe. Cruise control, not. Self-cancel turns, not.