just got back from the bike show in Long Beach. Disappointed that
they canceled my demo ride on the Super Tenere due to light drizzle -
bunch of sissies.
Did spend some time on the bike and since I was the only person out at
the demo truck, they let me mess around with the bike, fire it up and
listen and take the bags off, etc.
First reaction is that the bike feels very light. Don't know how this
bike is heavier than a GS - but supposedly it is, but it sure doesn't
feel like it. The narrow tank (near the seat) makes flat footing the
bike easy, even on high setting of the seat. Real easy set on low. I
was a little disappointed in the fit and finish on the bike. The
display bike has been dropped and dropped hard as there was scrapes on
the right side engine casing, but the casting of parts wasn't all that
great. Plastic finish wasn't bad - paint was OK, but the fit wasn't
great. Some rather large gaps in joints. Throttle and brake cables
will have to be re-routed as they get directly in way of the
dash/instruments, but the demo bike didn't have this problem, so maybe
it was just the way they were installed. Easy fix, though.
I'd say that this bike will be VERY easy to farkle -access to light
cluster and horn is very easy and there is a ton of room. Not sure
what is under the right side cowl plastic, but looks like pretty roomy
there. Left side houses the radiator. Others have pointed out that
the oil filter is right in front - just back of the front wheel -
stupid place to put it, but they have a skid plate engine guard that
covers it pretty well. Don't know how easy that will be to take off
to change filter, though. ALT Rider showed their version of engine
guards which look MUCH beefier though a little clunky (some would say
"industrial") looking. They have some other parts for it and are hard
at work developing parts. Looks like pretty good stuff - not as
pretty as touratech, but much less expensive.
Spoked but tubeless wheels - those are truly wanky looking with two
flanges on front wheel for spokes and a single flange on the rear.
Easy access to pre-load knob, though I don't think I would try to
adjust while riding.
Gauges are easy to read, but no one could show me how to change the
TCS settings, but easy to change from Sport to Whatever mode for
throttle settings. Optional larger wind screen and wind deflectors
along with beefy hand guards look like the ticket, but they have a
incredibly stupid looking heated grip controller (total afterthought
looking).
Ergonomics - to me they were very similar to GS, with maybe a little
more leg room. Standing on the bike was very natural and the goofy
soft rubber that gives way to cleated foot pegs are actually pretty
functional. Not sure how long the soft pliable rubber insert will
last with heavy boots. Controls seemed just about right for me - a 1"
riser or set back would make them perfect and ALT rider already has
that for a pretty low price. The before mentioned long throttle brake
cables should also for lots of play in this adjustment.
small windshield has too many folds and angles for me - larger one
seem cleaner, but don't remember it all that well. Not sure if I took
a picture of it.
Bags - much has been made of them on the forum - and they are really
fiddly. Lock/hasp will eat keys, so I would suggest several spares on
hand. Perhaps they will loosen up. Very similar to BMW adjustable
bags (and look like them a bit) in size - when BMW bags are set to
their smallest. Didn't see the top box anywhere. But the mount is
clean, but mounting is kind of clunky. (back to being fiddly). The
bags are narrow and should allow for easy lane sharing. Didn't see
the headlights lit up, but LED tail lights will cut down on power
consumption (and they were VERY bright). Handle bars were nice width
and nice bend to them and like I said - 1" risers should take care of
them.
Did not get under the seat to see what room is in that area. Pillion
seat comes off and either another bracket or some risers allow that
area to come level with the back rack making for LOTS of room - you
could land a small helicopter on the flight deck. All kinds of room
for a fuel cell and looks like fairly easy plumbing access.
All in all - I liked it, but wish I could have ridden it. Oh -- the
exhaust is under some kind of heat shield and comes under the left bag
- like the GS - and sounds like CRAP - Arnold will be VERY happy with
the exhaust note, but I'm afraid that it screams for replacement.
Actually - it kind of whimpers for replacement. New GS sounds much
better and the Triumph Tiger sounds WAY better.
Looks like the swing arm is pretty long for this bike and supposedly
the balance is almost 50 / 50 - maybe 51 front - to 49 rear, but what
do I know?
There is a auto power outlet on the front of the bike and couldn't get
under it to see how easy it would be to change to John Deere/BMW plug.
Headlight bulb changing looks to be a snap.
gear shift and brake levers both seemed in a good position for my
boots - I don't know how adjustable they are. Also - don't know if
headlights have aiming adjustment, but if so... it is well hidden
(maybe with TCS controls)?
EVERY person but one thought the bike was LIGHT. the only naysayer
was a bmw rider (dressed head to to in BMW gear so obviously an
acolyte who really did have a cup of blue koolaide in his hand who
claimed his GS was WAY lighter.
The bmw feels (in show room) like a more substantial bike though I'm
not sure it is $3,000 more substantial but part of that comes with
having more familiarity with the GS. By the way the new K1600 - looks
like a freekin battleship. That thing is BIG - I mean Goldwing big,
but without the Lexus look. I was looking forward to the arrival of
this bike, but really hated it. Almost as much as I hated the look of
the first GS I ever saw, even though I now like the looks of the GS.
It looks to me like there were maybe two or three design teams that
worked on it and at least one of the teams was told to work out of the
parts bin though I'm sure they didn't - just looks that way to me.
The cool headlights were all I liked about it - as I didn't get to
experience the k1600 motor which I imagine ROCKS.
no one from Yamaha would admit to the trick about disabling the ABS,
but the only guy I talked to who had ridden it (the guy from ALTRider)
claims that the ABS is very functional in the dirt. I don't know how
- but he claims it works - and also knows the semi-secret way to
disable.
last thought - the XTZ was easier to get on the center stand than the GS.
wish I could have ridden the bike though
they canceled my demo ride on the Super Tenere due to light drizzle -
bunch of sissies.
Did spend some time on the bike and since I was the only person out at
the demo truck, they let me mess around with the bike, fire it up and
listen and take the bags off, etc.
First reaction is that the bike feels very light. Don't know how this
bike is heavier than a GS - but supposedly it is, but it sure doesn't
feel like it. The narrow tank (near the seat) makes flat footing the
bike easy, even on high setting of the seat. Real easy set on low. I
was a little disappointed in the fit and finish on the bike. The
display bike has been dropped and dropped hard as there was scrapes on
the right side engine casing, but the casting of parts wasn't all that
great. Plastic finish wasn't bad - paint was OK, but the fit wasn't
great. Some rather large gaps in joints. Throttle and brake cables
will have to be re-routed as they get directly in way of the
dash/instruments, but the demo bike didn't have this problem, so maybe
it was just the way they were installed. Easy fix, though.
I'd say that this bike will be VERY easy to farkle -access to light
cluster and horn is very easy and there is a ton of room. Not sure
what is under the right side cowl plastic, but looks like pretty roomy
there. Left side houses the radiator. Others have pointed out that
the oil filter is right in front - just back of the front wheel -
stupid place to put it, but they have a skid plate engine guard that
covers it pretty well. Don't know how easy that will be to take off
to change filter, though. ALT Rider showed their version of engine
guards which look MUCH beefier though a little clunky (some would say
"industrial") looking. They have some other parts for it and are hard
at work developing parts. Looks like pretty good stuff - not as
pretty as touratech, but much less expensive.
Spoked but tubeless wheels - those are truly wanky looking with two
flanges on front wheel for spokes and a single flange on the rear.
Easy access to pre-load knob, though I don't think I would try to
adjust while riding.
Gauges are easy to read, but no one could show me how to change the
TCS settings, but easy to change from Sport to Whatever mode for
throttle settings. Optional larger wind screen and wind deflectors
along with beefy hand guards look like the ticket, but they have a
incredibly stupid looking heated grip controller (total afterthought
looking).
Ergonomics - to me they were very similar to GS, with maybe a little
more leg room. Standing on the bike was very natural and the goofy
soft rubber that gives way to cleated foot pegs are actually pretty
functional. Not sure how long the soft pliable rubber insert will
last with heavy boots. Controls seemed just about right for me - a 1"
riser or set back would make them perfect and ALT rider already has
that for a pretty low price. The before mentioned long throttle brake
cables should also for lots of play in this adjustment.
small windshield has too many folds and angles for me - larger one
seem cleaner, but don't remember it all that well. Not sure if I took
a picture of it.
Bags - much has been made of them on the forum - and they are really
fiddly. Lock/hasp will eat keys, so I would suggest several spares on
hand. Perhaps they will loosen up. Very similar to BMW adjustable
bags (and look like them a bit) in size - when BMW bags are set to
their smallest. Didn't see the top box anywhere. But the mount is
clean, but mounting is kind of clunky. (back to being fiddly). The
bags are narrow and should allow for easy lane sharing. Didn't see
the headlights lit up, but LED tail lights will cut down on power
consumption (and they were VERY bright). Handle bars were nice width
and nice bend to them and like I said - 1" risers should take care of
them.
Did not get under the seat to see what room is in that area. Pillion
seat comes off and either another bracket or some risers allow that
area to come level with the back rack making for LOTS of room - you
could land a small helicopter on the flight deck. All kinds of room
for a fuel cell and looks like fairly easy plumbing access.
All in all - I liked it, but wish I could have ridden it. Oh -- the
exhaust is under some kind of heat shield and comes under the left bag
- like the GS - and sounds like CRAP - Arnold will be VERY happy with
the exhaust note, but I'm afraid that it screams for replacement.
Actually - it kind of whimpers for replacement. New GS sounds much
better and the Triumph Tiger sounds WAY better.
Looks like the swing arm is pretty long for this bike and supposedly
the balance is almost 50 / 50 - maybe 51 front - to 49 rear, but what
do I know?
There is a auto power outlet on the front of the bike and couldn't get
under it to see how easy it would be to change to John Deere/BMW plug.
Headlight bulb changing looks to be a snap.
gear shift and brake levers both seemed in a good position for my
boots - I don't know how adjustable they are. Also - don't know if
headlights have aiming adjustment, but if so... it is well hidden
(maybe with TCS controls)?
EVERY person but one thought the bike was LIGHT. the only naysayer
was a bmw rider (dressed head to to in BMW gear so obviously an
acolyte who really did have a cup of blue koolaide in his hand who
claimed his GS was WAY lighter.
The bmw feels (in show room) like a more substantial bike though I'm
not sure it is $3,000 more substantial but part of that comes with
having more familiarity with the GS. By the way the new K1600 - looks
like a freekin battleship. That thing is BIG - I mean Goldwing big,
but without the Lexus look. I was looking forward to the arrival of
this bike, but really hated it. Almost as much as I hated the look of
the first GS I ever saw, even though I now like the looks of the GS.
It looks to me like there were maybe two or three design teams that
worked on it and at least one of the teams was told to work out of the
parts bin though I'm sure they didn't - just looks that way to me.
The cool headlights were all I liked about it - as I didn't get to
experience the k1600 motor which I imagine ROCKS.
no one from Yamaha would admit to the trick about disabling the ABS,
but the only guy I talked to who had ridden it (the guy from ALTRider)
claims that the ABS is very functional in the dirt. I don't know how
- but he claims it works - and also knows the semi-secret way to
disable.
last thought - the XTZ was easier to get on the center stand than the GS.
wish I could have ridden the bike though
)
