Motorcyclist test 5 different ADV bikes

jeckyll

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Sierra1

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Oh, look. . . . BMW is the best again. I though it was odd that Yamaha, Honda, and Triumph weren't included. They're much more common than Ducati, and Aprilla. But, yeah, then I noticed the review was in '14. That being said. . . . a 2020 review would likely read the same. Don't care. Wouldn't change my mind. :)
 
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ballisticexchris

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Motorcycle.com did a more in depth shootout review that was really funny. The hole punched in the Africa Twin case was at a familiar place I've been to. they had no reason to run a stupid street tire there. Spoiler, the Super Tenere does not get a good review.

Part one:

Part two:
 

fac191

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Motorcycle.com did a more in depth shootout review that was really funny. The hole punched in the Africa Twin case was at a familiar place I've been to. they had no reason to run a stupid street tire there. Spoiler, the Super Tenere does not get a good review.

Part one:

Part two:
I take any reviews with a pinch of salt. Tires are a big factor im how a bike performs. I remember when i used to read Dirtbike mag from the States late 80's 90's they used to ask the manufacturers to send the bike in a crate. They liked to build it themselves. Then they would put whatever their favorite tire was for where they were testing on all the bikes. Now thats proper.
 
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ballisticexchris

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Other than F9, I've never seen a good review. Kinda glad too. If she always came out on top. . . . she might cost $25K.
I have stated this a hundred times. I was instantly comfortable on the Super Tenere when I had demo rode one back in 2013. The most shocking thing I have discovered since ownership is the build quality. Yamaha has come a long way, and IMHO, a lot further than any other Japanese manufacturer when it comes to fit, finish, and reliability. Their off road lineup is the same thing. The new 4T dirt bikes can be tuned via blue tooth app on phone.
 

jeckyll

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Other than F9, I've never seen a good review. Kinda glad too. If she always came out on top. . . . she might cost $25K.
You know, I've not ridden all those other bikes, but I'm perfectly happy to admit, that they are all better in some way. KTM, better offroad, Big Tiger, better accessories and motor, Ducati, much more power, better road handling etc etc etc.

Long time ago, I had a ZX9R, most other sportbikes were winning in reviews over it. But the thing had actual luggage straps under the pillion seat. Super handy. She snarled, didn't have the best suspension but I did road trips and track days on her and loved that bike.

Had 2 KLRs (actually, still have 1) and well, pretty much any other dual sport is 'better'. Just like any knife is 'better' than a swiss army knife. Still, I carry a swiss army knife very regularly. It's just so damn handy. And I've ridden KLRs all over the West.

Now, the Super T, plenty of adventure bikes maybe 'better', but it's setup well for me, and I don't worry about needing a mechanic on standby. Just get on and ride it to wherever. From Cali to AK and plenty of spots inbetween.

"Comparison is the thief of Joy" Eleanor Roosevelt.

:)
 

cycledelic relic

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Yamaha has always done the details better....case in point...
I have owned several Yammy models & a few different Suzys (incl 8 Stroms)
The Stroms...reliable as they are..still need service so removing body panels means remembering where each screw goes...
Long shank...short shank...bigger head..smaller...or different finish...which size allen hex.... jeez!
The 3 Tens Ive owned (& my 03 FJR) ...all bodywork stainless allen screws ...same size! Thankya very much
Ive not owned Hondas or Kawas long enuff to experience servicing details...
Euro bikes are a whole different creature when it comes to how things fit together... but I have seen most all body screws matching on my Husky & a couple of BMWs

Sent from my LML212VL using Tapatalk
 

fac191

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You know, I've not ridden all those other bikes, but I'm perfectly happy to admit, that they are all better in some way. KTM, better offroad, Big Tiger, better accessories and motor, Ducati, much more power, better road handling etc etc etc.

Long time ago, I had a ZX9R, most other sportbikes were winning in reviews over it. But the thing had actual luggage straps under the pillion seat. Super handy. She snarled, didn't have the best suspension but I did road trips and track days on her and loved that bike.

Had 2 KLRs (actually, still have 1) and well, pretty much any other dual sport is 'better'. Just like any knife is 'better' than a swiss army knife. Still, I carry a swiss army knife very regularly. It's just so damn handy. And I've ridden KLRs all over the West.

Now, the Super T, plenty of adventure bikes maybe 'better', but it's setup well for me, and I don't worry about needing a mechanic on standby. Just get on and ride it to wherever. From Cali to AK and plenty of spots inbetween.

"Comparison is the thief of Joy" Eleanor Roosevelt.

:)
The Zx9r was a fantastic bike especially the 2nd gen c
C model. Bit like the ZXR750 every review raved about the feedback from the front end and what a great roadbike it was.
 

CatBehemoth

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When they will start making reviews based on several thousands miles of mixed roads, with maintenance and all the costs, then I might listen to them when deciding which motorcycle to buy. Reviews as they are now are just recommendations for renting a bike for a day.
 

tallpaul

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It's tough to call. Long term rider reports are great but only if there is one for the model of bike you're interested in and are based on two or more years of use. You're just not going to get that in a magazine road test, so you need to find real owners reviews. Motorcycle News in the UK, for all its faults as a media outlet, does have user reviews alongside their own reviews and it is interesting to see how very different they are!
 

jeckyll

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It's a difficult thing to get right. Magazines don't have enough time to do comparative long term tests between bikes. Bike owners only compare against their expectations, most don't have a 'fleet' of bikes to evaluate against either. And worse yet, who pays for how much advertising? Or provided freebies during launch event in an exotic location that may have changed perceptions before the comparison even started.

If there are many breakdowns, you typically hear about it after a while (final drives in BMW's or electronics in Ducatis) or sometimes witness it (I myself was there when a Multistrata owned by a guy I know had to be loaded on a truck so that the dealer could fiddle with the ECU and re-set some stuff so it would recognize they key / start up).

But in the end, good reviews are more of an art-form than a science.

There are many happy buyers of all of those bikes. Most people I meet on the road on their GS, AT, SuperT, KTM like their bikes and think it's better than whatever everyone else is riding. :D
 

fac191

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It's a difficult thing to get right. Magazines don't have enough time to do comparative long term tests between bikes. Bike owners only compare against their expectations, most don't have a 'fleet' of bikes to evaluate against either. And worse yet, who pays for how much advertising? Or provided freebies during launch event in an exotic location that may have changed perceptions before the comparison even started.

If there are many breakdowns, you typically hear about it after a while (final drives in BMW's or electronics in Ducatis) or sometimes witness it (I myself was there when a Multistrata owned by a guy I know had to be loaded on a truck so that the dealer could fiddle with the ECU and re-set some stuff so it would recognize they key / start up).

But in the end, good reviews are more of an art-form than a science.

There are many happy buyers of all of those bikes. Most people I meet on the road on their GS, AT, SuperT, KTM like their bikes and think it's better than whatever everyone else is riding. :D
I wonder how many of the people who buy the so called better bikes than the S10 sell them when the warrantee expires.
 

Boris

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I buy my bikes and cars for me. I seek no ones approval before buying either, I don’t need anyone’s approval after I’ve bought it. If someone else likes my bikes, fine. If they don’t, also fine. I’m not going to get all hurty because someone I don’t know in a magazine, isn’t very complimentary about it, equally I’m not overjoyed if they are complimentary about it. It really doesn’t matter to me.

what I do know though, my bike remains the same to me, if someone else thinks it’s a pile of shite, or the best bike on the market.
 

jeckyll

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I wonder how many of the people who buy the so called better bikes than the S10 sell them when the warrantee expires.
That's an interesting question.

Many years ago we were out for a ride and one of the guys had a bit 1300 cc BMW sport tourer. His ABS unit had to be replaced and, lucky for him, it was under warranty. I think the cost was over $2000 CDN all in. Needless to say, he was not keeping that bike after the warranty was up.

I don't have that luxury. Every bike I've purchased has been are used. :)
 

jeckyll

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I buy my bikes and cars for me. I seek no ones approval before buying either, I don’t need anyone’s approval after I’ve bought it. If someone else likes my bikes, fine. If they don’t, also fine. I’m not going to get all hurty because someone I don’t know in a magazine, isn’t very complimentary about it, equally I’m not overjoyed if they are complimentary about it. It really doesn’t matter to me.

what I do know though, my bike remains the same to me, if someone else thinks it’s a pile of shite, or the best bike on the market.
Yup, and people I ride with, don't care what bike you ride. If they did, I wouldn't ride with them.

I mean, there's a lot of joking and making fun of, but that's all in good humour and not real. :)

Plus, when you ride away from someone who has superior horsepower, and has paid a lot more for their bike than you did, isn't that just the best ;)
 
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