Dirt_Dad
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I don't know. Doctor said it was common and gave me some kind of ointment for it.
Rethinking preconceived notions...BMW F 750 GS
- Thread starter Dirt_Dad
- Start date
Bikes or women?
(Thank the man upstairs my wife of 41 years does not follow this forum!)
Dirt_Dad
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I laughed a little to hard at this one. Which lead to:
DM: What's so funny?
DD: nothing
DM: No really, what's so funny?
DD: It's nothing.
DM: Tell me.
DD: No
DM: WHAT?
DD: (brief explaination of the over all conversation) followed by me saying - "some guy said" and reading your quote.
I just couldn't tell my wife of 34 years that it way you who said it. I thought it best to leave your name out.
He tried it.
Did he buy it?
Only DD can tell us for sure.
LOL
Did he buy it?
Only DD can tell us for sure.
LOL
B
ballisticexchris
Guest
That's a nice looking bike!! I hope he got it!!
VRODE
Easy Does It
Well, he got his picture taken with it. I can’t tell if he’s smiling under the helmet. My guess is yes.
Dirt_Dad
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That's a definite no for me.
2 hours after that picture i was taking a long ride on a KTM Super Adventure S. On Monday I'm scheduled to ride the new 2020 Africa Twinn.
Hope to have time tomorrow to write up my experience with each bike. Probably start a new thread for that info.
Thanks for joining me today, CW. Really enjoyed catching up.
2 hours after that picture i was taking a long ride on a KTM Super Adventure S. On Monday I'm scheduled to ride the new 2020 Africa Twinn.
Hope to have time tomorrow to write up my experience with each bike. Probably start a new thread for that info.
Thanks for joining me today, CW. Really enjoyed catching up.
B
ballisticexchris
Guest
What was it you did not like about the Triumph?
VRODE
Easy Does It
Thanks for the updates. I love my ST but it’s a heavy beast and I’m not getting any younger or stronger. But as soon as I’m on the road it feels great.
Yet the itch persists. Going to ride this year out and address it in the spring.
Yet the itch persists. Going to ride this year out and address it in the spring.
I've decided that I am not moving back to a chain which means that there are a lot of bikes to enjoy riding but I have no desire to own. I enjoy riding BMWs too and their fit & finish is always fantastic. But I like to ride long distances and never feel like I could trust one as an owner. While I know lots of people who love theirs, swear by them, and have had no problems, I personally have had two rentals die due to electrical issues and know too many people who have had actual problems.
That really narrows the possible choices. We're talking about trying a couple of V85T Guzzies for fun but I'm guessing a Gen3 Tenere is announced this winter and will probably get one. Or thunder on with the 2014.
That really narrows the possible choices. We're talking about trying a couple of V85T Guzzies for fun but I'm guessing a Gen3 Tenere is announced this winter and will probably get one. Or thunder on with the 2014.
Whereas your interest is in the V85, mine would be in the Tiger 12. But, as sexy as she looks, and as much power that she has. . . . it's just not enough for the extra entry fee. Throw in the Tenere's reliability. . . . and, the only likely replacement for my current Tenere. . . . is another Tenere.
Dirt_Dad
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I'm going to keep going with this thread....
A bike is an incredibly personal object. All opinions are my own... and they are opinions, not facts. You may have a totally different experience...in your opinion.
I am trying really hard to keep ergonomic out of my comments. Things like wind protection, seating position, and reach to the bars are all things I expect to have to adjust on any bike. Not fair to penalize a generic dealer setup on any bike.
Recap of bikes tried to date:
2019 BMW F 750 GS: Phenomenal bike. Refined, easy to ride, advanced technology is all there, fit and finish are superb, power more than adequate to cruise on the western highways at 83 MPH all day long with no uncomfortable vibrations. Bike is a true home run across the board. Impressed every time I throw a leg over it. Dirt Mom was initially nervous about giving up her beloved Tenere, but has come to love this bike much more. Her comfort level, and willingness to ride have increased dramatically over the too big Tenere.
Wheel setup: 17/19
Drive: chain
Wow factor (1-10): 10
2020 BMW F 850 GS: Same engine and frame as the F 750 GS (which is running a detuned 850 engine). The 850 is a horrible ride. Rides like you are holding a 25 gallon fish tank on your lap. Geomerty just feels wrong on this bike. Could not get off the demo ride fast enough. I was schocked becuase I expected it to be my wife's bike with a stronger engine. It is not in any way the equal to her 750.
Wheel setup: 18/21
Drive: chain
Wow factor (1-10): -1
2020 BMW 1250 GS: Did not even intend to ride this bike on the visit to the dealer. Sales guy offered it and I said, sure why not. In my 10 minute test ride I was shocked and completely blown away by the power, immediate confidence, and amazing 'fit like a glove' feeling of the bike. It felt smaller and lighter than the Tenere, and was way more powerful. Did not expect any of that, but it's a wonderful bike.
Reality sets in when you realize the price of the bike is a minimum of $22K and problably more like $23+ before you pay freight/setup/taxes/licensing and whatever other fees, then do whatever you need to do to set it up for you. Even if I can afford it, I struggle with the idea of spending that much money on any bike, then alone one that does not have a reputation for Japanese level of reliability. I'm aware there are many people who never have any problem with their GS, but...man that's a lot of money. I haven't ruled it out, but that price is difficult to swallow.
Wheel setup: 17/19
Drive: shaft
Wow factor (1-10): 10
Thanks to the famous Bob's BMW for a great test ride experience. The clear gold standard of BMW dealerships in the mid-Atlantic region. Unfortunately we did not buy DMs bike from Bob's, but we will not make the mistake again. They are head and shoulders above everyone else.
Yesterday's Rides
Heading out to meet Checkswrecks for breakfast I was asking myself, what am I really looking for...what's important in the next bike. Ignoring the obvious chain vs shaft, the things I care most about are stability and fun in the twisties. I ridden the Tenere cross country many times, the stability is critical to that type of riding. It's gone through weather fronts with crosswinds gusting at over 50 MPH, my gen 1 hit a deer while riding 75 MPH which resulted in totaling the bike that stayed up through the ordeal, even ridden a gen 1 in a hurricane. The stability of the Tenere is very important to me. The other thing critical to me is ability to make me happy on the twisty roads. I get to ride WV all the time and I love a twisty road, and I do them on nearly every ride. It's how I entertain myself on a bike.
Dirt capability is also mandatory. I'm not looking to do anything hardcore on my primarily travel/twisty road bike, so I'll only test ride bikes that can do the generic dirt that I'm interested in doing on my big travel bike. A rock crawling bike has no interest to me for a replacement of the Tenere.
2020 Triumph 900 Rally Pro - great looking bike. Nice and light, very well setup out of the box. The bike felt well balance, and had much better geometry than the similar 18/21 setup of the BMW 850. No comparison, the Tiger felt good. The "twisty" portion of the salesman led demo ride was painfully slow (right around speed limit), but it was enough to realize the 21" front wheel was very sluggish going into the turns. I've always had 18/21 dirtbikes in my arsenal and I've always enjoyed them in the twisties. They don't ride as fast at the 17/19 bikes in the twisties, but they are still fun. I think between the BMW 850, and now the Tiger, I'm realizing the 18/21 probably isn't going to meet my needs on a big bike.
The other thing I'm finding on the Tiger is the vibration is getting my throttle hand to tingle. I'm not a short shifter. I tend to use higher RPMs in my general riding. This Tiger is just a constant vibration at my natural selection of RPM range on the bike. Repeatedly needing to shake out my hand and get some feeling back in it.
For me I'm finding that even with the nice TFT, and all the technology packed into it, this bike feels pretty crude. I would feel like I'm giving up a lot if this were my replacement for the Tenere. I know this bike is working for a lot of people, but it's just not for me.
Wheel setup: 18/21
Drive: chain
Wow factor (1-10): 5
Thanks to Fredericktown Yamaha and Triumph in Frederick, MD for letting me take the ride.
2020 KTM Super Adventure S: I find the bike right out front waiting for me. Larry, who a lot of you knew as the GM of Romney Cycles, now is the GM at a KTM (and other brand) dealership much closer to my house. That's very convenient for me. For those of you who know him, he's still kicking ass just as he was at Romeny, and good relationships still exist all around.
I'm impressed with the look and feel just sitting on the bike. The specs are listed in dry weight, vs the wet weight of the Tenere. It's probably 60lbs lighter than the Tenere, but it feel even less. It's definitely less girthy looking than the Tenere. Has a good fit and finish.
Curious about the 160hp of this bike, I'm set to Road mode as I cautiously leave on my solo test ride. Don't want to do anything crazy before getting out of the parking lot. I quickly realize this is an easy to manage power plant. After a bit I pull into a parking lot and figure out how to get it into Sport mode. It's quicker, but still completely manageable. Responsive as hell, but never giving you the idea it's going to be out of control.
I have an empty 4-lane ahead and I take it up to 72 MPH. Even with the joke of a windscreen set to the highest position, the bike is rock solid stable with very, very low vibration coming through. The wind was smooth, and it was obvious this bike could clearly be a cross country mile muncher with the regular setup I do on every long distance bike I've ever owned.
Next I repeatedly ran the bike up and back through some familiar twisties. The bike was very willing, but due to the unfamiliar ergonomics I was not able to ride at my normal pace. Regardless, the bike clearly is capable in this environment.
The motor is amazingly fun. You nail the throttle and it goes faster...a lot faster...the kind of response that makes your arms an inch longer when you get off the bike. I struggled to find the way to turn off the traction control, so unfortunately I never really got the front wheel to launch while in the play area. That was disappointing, but that sweet engine gave me confidence that it would comply when I figured out how to turn off TCS.
The concern that CW and I discussed earlier in the day about the FJR/FZ1 power issue was not a factor. Those bikes tempt you to get to 90 MPH in 1st or 2nd gear by the end of the highway ramp, then you're stuck riding a bike that doesn't need 2nd gear to run at 'keep your license' speeds. I found it dull on my blindingly fast FZ1. This bike does not suffer from that. It's so much fun shifting through the first 3 gears that's it's hard to image ever getting bored shifting this bike even and reasonable speeds.
I never felt any heat. Of course, it was already 98 degrees on this ride, so that may or may not be relevant. Everything was hot. It's possible on a 70 degree day you may feel heat, but not sure.
Riding back I was impressed with this very sweet bike. I didn't feel the 'wow' I felt getting off the big GS, but I was impressed with this nice, nice bike. I briefed Larry, thanked him for the ride, recommend he take it out, hung around and talk to him for another hour, then got on the Tenere headed for home. That's when I experienced the similar feeling I felt on the Tenere when getting off my KTM 690. It's a question of...is my clutch slipping? Am I still in Sport mode? Followed by testing the trottle to make sure the clutch isn't slipping...nope, it's just that slow a bike.
As I briefed DM on the day's rides, I heard myself talking about the KTM and started an internal dialog about...why am I not interested in this bike? I need to give this some thought. I've looked up the price of everything to setup the bike...interesting. Larry told me there is $2K off on the 2020s and $3K off on the 2019s if you can find one...interesting.
Wheel setup: 17/19
Drive: chain
Wow factor (1-10): 8 (and growing)
If anyone is in the mid-Atlantic and wants to try, MotoMember in Purcellville, VA now has a 2020 KTM Super Adventure S on demo. I highly recommend it. They also have a 390 and a 790 on demo. Just call and ask for their sales department to setup a demo.
Thanks to MotoMember in Purcellville, VA for a very entertaining demo ride.
A bike is an incredibly personal object. All opinions are my own... and they are opinions, not facts. You may have a totally different experience...in your opinion.
I am trying really hard to keep ergonomic out of my comments. Things like wind protection, seating position, and reach to the bars are all things I expect to have to adjust on any bike. Not fair to penalize a generic dealer setup on any bike.
Recap of bikes tried to date:
2019 BMW F 750 GS: Phenomenal bike. Refined, easy to ride, advanced technology is all there, fit and finish are superb, power more than adequate to cruise on the western highways at 83 MPH all day long with no uncomfortable vibrations. Bike is a true home run across the board. Impressed every time I throw a leg over it. Dirt Mom was initially nervous about giving up her beloved Tenere, but has come to love this bike much more. Her comfort level, and willingness to ride have increased dramatically over the too big Tenere.
Wheel setup: 17/19
Drive: chain
Wow factor (1-10): 10
2020 BMW F 850 GS: Same engine and frame as the F 750 GS (which is running a detuned 850 engine). The 850 is a horrible ride. Rides like you are holding a 25 gallon fish tank on your lap. Geomerty just feels wrong on this bike. Could not get off the demo ride fast enough. I was schocked becuase I expected it to be my wife's bike with a stronger engine. It is not in any way the equal to her 750.
Wheel setup: 18/21
Drive: chain
Wow factor (1-10): -1
2020 BMW 1250 GS: Did not even intend to ride this bike on the visit to the dealer. Sales guy offered it and I said, sure why not. In my 10 minute test ride I was shocked and completely blown away by the power, immediate confidence, and amazing 'fit like a glove' feeling of the bike. It felt smaller and lighter than the Tenere, and was way more powerful. Did not expect any of that, but it's a wonderful bike.
Reality sets in when you realize the price of the bike is a minimum of $22K and problably more like $23+ before you pay freight/setup/taxes/licensing and whatever other fees, then do whatever you need to do to set it up for you. Even if I can afford it, I struggle with the idea of spending that much money on any bike, then alone one that does not have a reputation for Japanese level of reliability. I'm aware there are many people who never have any problem with their GS, but...man that's a lot of money. I haven't ruled it out, but that price is difficult to swallow.
Wheel setup: 17/19
Drive: shaft
Wow factor (1-10): 10
Thanks to the famous Bob's BMW for a great test ride experience. The clear gold standard of BMW dealerships in the mid-Atlantic region. Unfortunately we did not buy DMs bike from Bob's, but we will not make the mistake again. They are head and shoulders above everyone else.
Yesterday's Rides
Heading out to meet Checkswrecks for breakfast I was asking myself, what am I really looking for...what's important in the next bike. Ignoring the obvious chain vs shaft, the things I care most about are stability and fun in the twisties. I ridden the Tenere cross country many times, the stability is critical to that type of riding. It's gone through weather fronts with crosswinds gusting at over 50 MPH, my gen 1 hit a deer while riding 75 MPH which resulted in totaling the bike that stayed up through the ordeal, even ridden a gen 1 in a hurricane. The stability of the Tenere is very important to me. The other thing critical to me is ability to make me happy on the twisty roads. I get to ride WV all the time and I love a twisty road, and I do them on nearly every ride. It's how I entertain myself on a bike.
Dirt capability is also mandatory. I'm not looking to do anything hardcore on my primarily travel/twisty road bike, so I'll only test ride bikes that can do the generic dirt that I'm interested in doing on my big travel bike. A rock crawling bike has no interest to me for a replacement of the Tenere.
2020 Triumph 900 Rally Pro - great looking bike. Nice and light, very well setup out of the box. The bike felt well balance, and had much better geometry than the similar 18/21 setup of the BMW 850. No comparison, the Tiger felt good. The "twisty" portion of the salesman led demo ride was painfully slow (right around speed limit), but it was enough to realize the 21" front wheel was very sluggish going into the turns. I've always had 18/21 dirtbikes in my arsenal and I've always enjoyed them in the twisties. They don't ride as fast at the 17/19 bikes in the twisties, but they are still fun. I think between the BMW 850, and now the Tiger, I'm realizing the 18/21 probably isn't going to meet my needs on a big bike.
The other thing I'm finding on the Tiger is the vibration is getting my throttle hand to tingle. I'm not a short shifter. I tend to use higher RPMs in my general riding. This Tiger is just a constant vibration at my natural selection of RPM range on the bike. Repeatedly needing to shake out my hand and get some feeling back in it.
For me I'm finding that even with the nice TFT, and all the technology packed into it, this bike feels pretty crude. I would feel like I'm giving up a lot if this were my replacement for the Tenere. I know this bike is working for a lot of people, but it's just not for me.
Wheel setup: 18/21
Drive: chain
Wow factor (1-10): 5
Thanks to Fredericktown Yamaha and Triumph in Frederick, MD for letting me take the ride.
2020 KTM Super Adventure S: I find the bike right out front waiting for me. Larry, who a lot of you knew as the GM of Romney Cycles, now is the GM at a KTM (and other brand) dealership much closer to my house. That's very convenient for me. For those of you who know him, he's still kicking ass just as he was at Romeny, and good relationships still exist all around.
I'm impressed with the look and feel just sitting on the bike. The specs are listed in dry weight, vs the wet weight of the Tenere. It's probably 60lbs lighter than the Tenere, but it feel even less. It's definitely less girthy looking than the Tenere. Has a good fit and finish.
Curious about the 160hp of this bike, I'm set to Road mode as I cautiously leave on my solo test ride. Don't want to do anything crazy before getting out of the parking lot. I quickly realize this is an easy to manage power plant. After a bit I pull into a parking lot and figure out how to get it into Sport mode. It's quicker, but still completely manageable. Responsive as hell, but never giving you the idea it's going to be out of control.
I have an empty 4-lane ahead and I take it up to 72 MPH. Even with the joke of a windscreen set to the highest position, the bike is rock solid stable with very, very low vibration coming through. The wind was smooth, and it was obvious this bike could clearly be a cross country mile muncher with the regular setup I do on every long distance bike I've ever owned.
Next I repeatedly ran the bike up and back through some familiar twisties. The bike was very willing, but due to the unfamiliar ergonomics I was not able to ride at my normal pace. Regardless, the bike clearly is capable in this environment.
The motor is amazingly fun. You nail the throttle and it goes faster...a lot faster...the kind of response that makes your arms an inch longer when you get off the bike. I struggled to find the way to turn off the traction control, so unfortunately I never really got the front wheel to launch while in the play area. That was disappointing, but that sweet engine gave me confidence that it would comply when I figured out how to turn off TCS.
The concern that CW and I discussed earlier in the day about the FJR/FZ1 power issue was not a factor. Those bikes tempt you to get to 90 MPH in 1st or 2nd gear by the end of the highway ramp, then you're stuck riding a bike that doesn't need 2nd gear to run at 'keep your license' speeds. I found it dull on my blindingly fast FZ1. This bike does not suffer from that. It's so much fun shifting through the first 3 gears that's it's hard to image ever getting bored shifting this bike even and reasonable speeds.
I never felt any heat. Of course, it was already 98 degrees on this ride, so that may or may not be relevant. Everything was hot. It's possible on a 70 degree day you may feel heat, but not sure.
Riding back I was impressed with this very sweet bike. I didn't feel the 'wow' I felt getting off the big GS, but I was impressed with this nice, nice bike. I briefed Larry, thanked him for the ride, recommend he take it out, hung around and talk to him for another hour, then got on the Tenere headed for home. That's when I experienced the similar feeling I felt on the Tenere when getting off my KTM 690. It's a question of...is my clutch slipping? Am I still in Sport mode? Followed by testing the trottle to make sure the clutch isn't slipping...nope, it's just that slow a bike.
As I briefed DM on the day's rides, I heard myself talking about the KTM and started an internal dialog about...why am I not interested in this bike? I need to give this some thought. I've looked up the price of everything to setup the bike...interesting. Larry told me there is $2K off on the 2020s and $3K off on the 2019s if you can find one...interesting.
Wheel setup: 17/19
Drive: chain
Wow factor (1-10): 8 (and growing)
If anyone is in the mid-Atlantic and wants to try, MotoMember in Purcellville, VA now has a 2020 KTM Super Adventure S on demo. I highly recommend it. They also have a 390 and a 790 on demo. Just call and ask for their sales department to setup a demo.
Thanks to MotoMember in Purcellville, VA for a very entertaining demo ride.
Last edited:
Dirt_Dad
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No time to post. Just quick note. Rode the Africa Twin this morning. I'm shocked at how impressed I am with that 18/21 setup bike. Honda nailed this bike.
Dirt_Dad
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2011 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
2020 Honda Africa Twin - After the F850GS and the Tiger, I almost didn't bother to ride the AT, and that would have been a big mistake. I was forming the opinion that a big touring capable bike with a 21" front was just not up to the task of injecting adrenaline when in the twisties, which is where I ride more than 50% of the time. I also had it in my head the Honda was going to be a sedate, mildly responsive engine like the Tenere. My preconceived notions were all wrong.
The salesman told me to get acquainted with the bike while he was getting his Gold Wing ready for the guided ride. Huh?...there are two screens and 17 buttons on the left hand grip alone. The top screen is flooded with information and the buttons I'm pushing don't seem to do much...definitely not doing what I want. The sale guy admitted he hasn't learned all the button pushes, but with his help I did get it set to full power, and full torque. There are also settings for level of engine braking, suspension, abs, traction control, and lord knows what else. Very busy, but very configurable to be what you want it to be. There are 2 users level memory spots so you can tune the bike to your desires and save that for future use.
Rolling behind the sales guy, I see his turn signal come on...where the hell is the turn signal on this thing. I use hand signals as I look around the left grip some more. At his next signal I took my best guess and got the correct switch. Bike feels good on these straight sections, nice ride. This base model bike is about 80 lbs lighter than the Tenere. Up front it doesn't necessarily seem smaller, it's wide around the bars, but doesn't feel heavy, just takes a lot of space. For some reason, there's just a familiar feeling with this bike.
Eventually I see some turns in the road ahead. I start slowing down to put space between us. Nothing I'd call twisties, but more curves than I had on the Tiger demo ride on Saturday. I created enough room ahead to go into the turns with some level of speed. The AT was eager to give me an enjoyable ride through the curves. Actually for being a new bike to me, it was a satisfying trip through the turns. Wasn't expecting that after the BMW and Tiger. I have to hand it to the Honda engineers, they seem to have gotten it right.
The engine on full power and full torque is powerful. It's not 1290 powerful, but I'm confident if I could figure out how to turn off traction control, the front end would have lofted. It was a much more powerful engine than I had anticipated. Definitely feels stronger than the Tenere. Very nice.
Erognomics are excellent on this bike. Yes, I'm trying to ignore that on everything else, but seat and handlebars, and position were outstanding on the AT.
I told the sales guy I was completely shocked at how much I liked the AT. It exceeded all expectations. I haven't really done any research on the bike, but I can't rule it out after the brief ride this morning. Sales guy offered to have me back and he'll take me on a twisty route next time. I know where he's referencing, and it's a good one.
Wheel setup: 18/21
Drive: chain
Wow factor (1-10): 8.5
Thanks to Jack at Timbrook Honda in Winchester, VA.
It's really been awesome to get a test ride on all the bikes that interest me. It used to be so difficult to get any test ride without a factory truck in the parking lot.
This may be all the testing I'm going to do. Not sure I need to ride the Moto Guzzi now (sounds like a preconceived notion). I've learned something about myself that I already knew...I like bikes that can hustle. My personality is always wanting a bike that will head for the sky when I twist my wrist. I don't believe I'm going to be satisfied giving up power. I don't believe the 850cc of the MG is going to meet that need. There's been countless times I've twisted the throttle on the Tenere in the hopes it give the front wheel a rest, but it's just not going to do that without help or at least extra effort. I've loved my Teneres for other reasons, and there are many of those reasons that we all know.
I think the next bike, if there is a next bike anytime soon, will be lighter, and more powerful; not lighter and same or less power. Three bikes meet that criteria for 'next' bike:
BMW 1200/1250 GS (used)
KTM Super Adventure S
Honda Africa Twin
I can name valid positives and negatives about each bike.
One thing I've noticed is consistent in all the KTM videos I've watch. When people twist their right wrist, they start laughing. That's not a bad thing.
The salesman told me to get acquainted with the bike while he was getting his Gold Wing ready for the guided ride. Huh?...there are two screens and 17 buttons on the left hand grip alone. The top screen is flooded with information and the buttons I'm pushing don't seem to do much...definitely not doing what I want. The sale guy admitted he hasn't learned all the button pushes, but with his help I did get it set to full power, and full torque. There are also settings for level of engine braking, suspension, abs, traction control, and lord knows what else. Very busy, but very configurable to be what you want it to be. There are 2 users level memory spots so you can tune the bike to your desires and save that for future use.
Rolling behind the sales guy, I see his turn signal come on...where the hell is the turn signal on this thing. I use hand signals as I look around the left grip some more. At his next signal I took my best guess and got the correct switch. Bike feels good on these straight sections, nice ride. This base model bike is about 80 lbs lighter than the Tenere. Up front it doesn't necessarily seem smaller, it's wide around the bars, but doesn't feel heavy, just takes a lot of space. For some reason, there's just a familiar feeling with this bike.
Eventually I see some turns in the road ahead. I start slowing down to put space between us. Nothing I'd call twisties, but more curves than I had on the Tiger demo ride on Saturday. I created enough room ahead to go into the turns with some level of speed. The AT was eager to give me an enjoyable ride through the curves. Actually for being a new bike to me, it was a satisfying trip through the turns. Wasn't expecting that after the BMW and Tiger. I have to hand it to the Honda engineers, they seem to have gotten it right.
The engine on full power and full torque is powerful. It's not 1290 powerful, but I'm confident if I could figure out how to turn off traction control, the front end would have lofted. It was a much more powerful engine than I had anticipated. Definitely feels stronger than the Tenere. Very nice.
Erognomics are excellent on this bike. Yes, I'm trying to ignore that on everything else, but seat and handlebars, and position were outstanding on the AT.
I told the sales guy I was completely shocked at how much I liked the AT. It exceeded all expectations. I haven't really done any research on the bike, but I can't rule it out after the brief ride this morning. Sales guy offered to have me back and he'll take me on a twisty route next time. I know where he's referencing, and it's a good one.
Wheel setup: 18/21
Drive: chain
Wow factor (1-10): 8.5
Thanks to Jack at Timbrook Honda in Winchester, VA.
It's really been awesome to get a test ride on all the bikes that interest me. It used to be so difficult to get any test ride without a factory truck in the parking lot.
This may be all the testing I'm going to do. Not sure I need to ride the Moto Guzzi now (sounds like a preconceived notion). I've learned something about myself that I already knew...I like bikes that can hustle. My personality is always wanting a bike that will head for the sky when I twist my wrist. I don't believe I'm going to be satisfied giving up power. I don't believe the 850cc of the MG is going to meet that need. There's been countless times I've twisted the throttle on the Tenere in the hopes it give the front wheel a rest, but it's just not going to do that without help or at least extra effort. I've loved my Teneres for other reasons, and there are many of those reasons that we all know.
I think the next bike, if there is a next bike anytime soon, will be lighter, and more powerful; not lighter and same or less power. Three bikes meet that criteria for 'next' bike:
BMW 1200/1250 GS (used)
KTM Super Adventure S
Honda Africa Twin
I can name valid positives and negatives about each bike.
One thing I've noticed is consistent in all the KTM videos I've watch. When people twist their right wrist, they start laughing. That's not a bad thing.
There is the problem with the KTM, that smile that causes your right hand. For these places, the KTM is known as "addictive" ... that is, you get off a 90-110 hp motorcycle, and get on a 160hp motorcycle. This instantaneously causes the need to know those "new limits", which were already known with 90-110hp .... I already had two losses, both with KTM (1190 and 1290), good riders both, the accidents occurred in an area of twisties of asphalt, known to both. The reason? .... look for that "new limit" ..... is the bike to blame? NO !!! ..... the problem was the head. Preparing for that new limit surely takes time, but going from 100hp to 160hp only takes a couple of minutes. I thought it was correct what you said that when you got on the S10 after trying the KTM, it seemed to that "the clutch was slipping" ..... I would call it more as a "life insurance" ..... It is like the people say about drugs, they don't want to try it, just in case it becomes addictive. Over here, many friends, do not want to buy the 1290, they are not afraid or mistrustful of the motorcycle ... they are afraid of their brain and the 160hp
The hp are the ones that make you feel the real change, not the gadgets and the electronics. Only, you have to test them, little by little.
The hp are the ones that make you feel the real change, not the gadgets and the electronics. Only, you have to test them, little by little.
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ballisticexchris
Guest
One thing very important to note. If there is any one function you need to be acquainted with on the Africa Twin (or any bike that has it), it's the wheelie control. In the most intrusive setting you will end up stuck on a steep hill when it chops power.
I still laugh when the Tenere is referred to as slow.
Edit: Quick check on 0-60 times. Ducati & KTM were the quickest at 2.8 sec. (1/4 miles were 10.5 & 10.6 respectively) The GS water cooled was 2.9 sec. (11.0 1/4 mile) Without spending more time, all I could find was a Gen 1 time of 3.2 sec. (11.8 1/4) These numbers came from a '14 article. Found a Yamaha only site that showed the fastest for any bike was 2.6 sec on the '19 R1m. (9.8 1/4) So, .6 seconds from fastest to "slowest"? Yeah. . . . I'm good.
Edit: Quick check on 0-60 times. Ducati & KTM were the quickest at 2.8 sec. (1/4 miles were 10.5 & 10.6 respectively) The GS water cooled was 2.9 sec. (11.0 1/4 mile) Without spending more time, all I could find was a Gen 1 time of 3.2 sec. (11.8 1/4) These numbers came from a '14 article. Found a Yamaha only site that showed the fastest for any bike was 2.6 sec on the '19 R1m. (9.8 1/4) So, .6 seconds from fastest to "slowest"? Yeah. . . . I'm good.
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ballisticexchris
Guest
The Super Tenere does 0-60 in about 3 seconds and under 12 seconds in a quarter mile. Plenty fast. If it wasn't for all the nanny features of these big HP bikes, most of us would be spit off. I doubt many members on this forum could take an R1, Ducati Enduro, or KTM 1190/1290 in full power mode and unleash it to it's full potential on the street, off road or track.
Hell I can't even ride the Super Tenere at it's limit! It's a missile!! At 50mph I drop it down to 3rd and can lift the front end. And that's with most intrusive traction control and touring mode.
Dirt_Dad
Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
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2014 Site Supporter
Absolutely correct. I've been through that multiple times. Checkswrecks and I actually had a discussion about FJR/FZ1 syndrome between my ride of the Tiger and the KTM. It was a well timed talked and put those memories forefront in my mind as I rode the KTM. I specifically did not want to get into that situation again. I was pleased to see the KTM supplied adrenaline without requiring high speed. A critical point to me.
What am I calling FJR/FZ1 syndrome? I've owned both. I could go from 0 to 90 MPH in first gear in about 3 seconds on my FZ1. It was so fast it was confusing. I also call that the most boring bike I ever owned. I need to keep my license, so I could only do that on highway entrance ramps. Otherwise I was riding at keep your license speeds that didn't require 2nd gear. Sold that one within 6 months. My FJR was so effortless in the twisties that you could only get adrenaline out of it if you increased your speeds by 50% or more. I'm a dad, and I have to be at work on Monday. I have absolutely no interest in riding that fast. It's just dangerous. The FJR was up for sale less than a month after purchase (still the only bike I ever made money selling).
High speed has never been my thing. Much more interested in performance between 10 and 60 mph.
After I passed the 5k miles point, I was at a red light. The lane I was in ended shortly past the intersection. Light turned green, I let the clutch out, and gave it some gas. . . . If it wasn't for the TCS, there's no telling how it would have ended. The wheel started to lift, got about 2' off the ground, and the TCS saved my dumb ass. 'Cuz, unlike Dirt_Dad I can't do wheelies. . . . without killing myself.