Gee, I wish I purchased a KTM or BMW!

[shrekonwheels]

When was the last time you actually checked the specs on the bikes Harley sells? They've offered Brembo ABS on their touring bikes as an option since 2008, and it's gradually been spreading through their other lineups. My '09 also has throttle by wire and electronic cruise control, something that Yamaha didn't offer till 2014 on the Tenere, and self-canceling turn signals. Still waiting for Yamaha to get around to that. The speedometer is also dead accurate, unlike my S10s...

My 82 virago had self canceling turn Signals, glad HD finally caught up, not sure why Yami and others. I pay little attention to HD, my blog sums it up.
http://thoughtsoftheages.blogspot.com/2013/06/harley-davidson-why-i-want-to-make-boat.html

 

[Big Blu]

Maybe, just maybe, folks buy H-D's because riding one makes them smile.... and that's a good thing, no?

Paul

 

[Donk]

RoadKing was the first adventure touring bike. Its been touring longer than the roads have been paved. I prefer my S10 to a RoadKing but my RK was a great bike. My friend has about 350,000 miles on his with one top end rebuild. That is not bad reliability. Like it or not the RoadKing and S10 are very similar, 2 cylinder, pack mules, comfortable, not the fastest but will always get you there and back.

Newsflash; S10 is a great bike. Newsflash; There are lots of great bikes out there.

 

[shrekonwheels]

Indeed there are

 

[twinrider]

My 82 virago had self canceling turn Signals, glad HD finally caught up, not sure why Yami and others.

Harley has had self-canceling turn signals for years. I was just citing it as one more example of a tech that our beloved S10 has yet to catch up with. But I guess you probably already knew that. ::008::

I've owned both bikes for years. For every day commuting or twisty strafing the S10 gets the nod, but when i want to ride all day long in comfort, especially two-up hauling a bunch of luggage on multi-day tours, the RK gets the nod every time. Much more comfortable over the long haul and still hauls the mail pretty good on backroads, enough to surprise quite a few faster bikes piloted by slower riders.

Try a late model touring bike, I think you'd be in for a surprise.... ::024::

 

[Ramseybella]

I am not a HD guy but I have always liked a simple looking Road King.
Don't like the gaudy looking stuff I see on most HD's in New Mexico, 20' long open exhaust pipes and 5' tall Ape Hangers.
When something becomes a status symbol it turns me off, take the Subaru for instance.
It has been stereotyped with Democratic Liberals and Libertarians 100% and I owned a 89 GL at one time great cars and wouldn't mind owning another. But I know folks that won't own one due to it's relations to Lefty's.

I personally think it is Dumb Ass Stupid at both ends Period, I like being incognito myself.
And even then you can't be due to the magnificent look of the Tenere!!

Nice out going riding guys, later.. ::015::

 

[pe4496]

I am a new 2015 Tenere owner. With only a few hundred miles on the bike, I can't give an honest evaluation yet. But my wife rides a BMW R1200RT (same engine as a GS) so I have experience with the brand. I traded a Honda ST1300 for the Ten which I had for 8 years. I also test rode a 1200 GS and a KTM 1190 Adventure (same dealer I bought the Yamaha from). I chose the Tenere for these reasons; 1) maintenance. The Honda was 100% reliable. Never had to repair a single thing in 8 years except for normal wear items like tires, brake pad's, fluids, ect. From my research, I would expect the same from Yamaha. The airbox issue on the KTM seems real but my dealer says they never had to replace an engine. So, I don't know. My wife's BMW in the 1st 10,000 miles had 2 warranty repairs, one recall and she recently got a letter from BMW giving her an extended warranty covering the fuel gauge since it's apparently expected to fail. None of the problems were serious and BMW customer service was good. But I had 0 problems with the Honda. 2) Cost. I am fortunate to be able to afford any of these motorcycles. But I didn't see additional value in the BMW overall. And the BMW is a maintenance hog. 6,000 mile valve adjustments, (although it's an easy job) and parts costs, wow! $18 spark plugs (X4) for example. And you are strongly encouraged to use the dealer (closest is an hour away) for service. There is no maintenance schedule in the owners manual. You are expected to take it to the dealer ($150 oil change) when the service light appears on the instrument panel. And there's no way to turn it off without a BMW proprietary computer. 3) less luggage space on the BMW since if your going on a trip, you have to make room for a few spare quarts of oil. 4)I prefer shaft drive because i'm lazy. So while the KTM was really fun to ride, the less maintenance the better. The BMW rides and handles great and most important of all, my wife love's it! Happy wife, happy life.

 

[GearheadGrrrl]

On my blog ( http://gearheadgrrrl.com/2015/03/21/forgive-me-fatherland-for-i-have-sinned ) /I wrote of how back in the 70s the Japanese built too short a product cycles of too many models of throwaway bikes while BMW evolved one design to perfection. Today the roles are reversed, and Japanese bikes are the best value.

 

[True Grip]

Welcome GHG enjoyed your blog! One of these days this site may have a dedicated Hack forum.

 

[cakeboy]

well i for one are glad i didnt buy a BMW . they have just had a 300,000 worldwide recall on almost all there models going back as far as the 1150cc models .....wow that is going to cost them ?

 

[shrekonwheels]

Harley has had self-canceling turn signals for years. I was just citing it as one more example of a tech that our beloved S10 has yet to catch up with. But I guess you probably already knew that. ::008::

I've owned both bikes for years. For every day commuting or twisty strafing the S10 gets the nod, but when i want to ride all day long in comfort, especially two-up hauling a bunch of luggage on multi-day tours, the RK gets the nod every time. Much more comfortable over the long haul and still hauls the mail pretty good on backroads, enough to surprise quite a few faster bikes piloted by slower riders.

Try a late model touring bike, I think you'd be in for a surprise.... ::024::

I have ridden a few Harleys, I have also operated a jack hammer, same difference.