I've made a couple of cosmetic adjustments which help in the control, eg Bars, footpegs, engine bars etc. I remove the mirrors, and run the tyres at 18-22 psi, more for bounce than traction. I was once told that a couple of mm bounce in the tyres is worth an inch or so in the suspension. Don't know how true that is, but it seems to stop the massive clunking bash you get on bumps at road pressures! Good tyres really help, and I mean more than just TKCs.
Cut the screen down. not only do you get much less noise (but more blast) on the road, the feeling of freedom, knowing your not about to cut your nose off on the first big bump is amazing!
They pick up easy too, don't let the mass numbers put you off, the rear grabrail is in just the right place!
I've found the linked brakes are no problem, and when you've learnt them they actually help!
It's a great bike, on or off tarmac. Comfy to excede NSL and happy on any lane I've tried it on. There are a couple of lanes I won't do on it, but I wouldn't do those on my 'Alp either! (Well, not on it's current tyres...)
Just have a (slow) go. Don't forget to tell someone where you're off to, and check in when you've finished though!
:whistle: 
