SuperTen, to change or not to change?

[VRODE]

Remember the big GS’s that Charlie and Ewan rode around the world? That was the benchmark at the time. Sturdy, reliable, able to haul luggage, etc. Weight was not an issue to its owners, nor was huge horsepower. This was what led to the design of the ST.
Now big ADV bikes are approaching sport bike power and all the bells and whistles included. Comparing it to newer designs is going to highlight those differences. In the real world though, it does exactly what it was designed for and does it very well (and very reliably).
But yeah, I think about a new bike all the time too.

 

[Bart]

I've only had my ST about 18 mouths so a relative newcomer here but have covered over 12k miles so far. It is a great bike, but for me it does not tick all the boxes all the time so another bike/s works for me. There are loads of great used bikes out there for not a lot of dosh and if you like to spanner yourself they are cheap to run. In the UK adding a second/third bike to a ins policy is not too expensive either.

 

[bimota]

Remember the big GS’s that Charlie and Ewan rode around the world? That was the benchmark at the time. Sturdy, reliable, able to haul luggage, etc. Weight was not an issue to its owners, nor was huge horsepower. This was what led to the design of the ST.
Now big ADV bikes are approaching sport bike power and all the bells and whistles included. Comparing it to newer designs is going to highlight those differences. In the real world though, it does exactly what it was designed for and does it very well (and very reliably).
But yeah, I think about a new bike all the time too.

yer had one a year before charlie & ewan had them was a great bike

 

[fac191]

Remember the big GS’s that Charlie and Ewan rode around the world? That was the benchmark at the time. Sturdy, reliable, able to haul luggage, etc. Weight was not an issue to its owners, nor was huge horsepower. This was what led to the design of the ST.
Now big ADV bikes are approaching sport bike power and all the bells and whistles included. Comparing it to newer designs is going to highlight those differences. In the real world though, it does exactly what it was designed for and does it very well (and very reliably).
But yeah, I think about a new bike all the time too.

They did have problems though. I believe they snapped the frame on one of them. Plus lots of other stuff the BMW didnt want put in the programme, natch.

 

[Ronzo]

Don’t change....add a bike.
Last year I sold my KTM 690 Enduro as well as a fully farkled FZ1 and bought the ST.
I debated the T7 as I loved the nimbleness of the 690 off-road.
I missed my FZ1 as well. The power was awesome!
But....not getting any younger and wanted a big high mileage bike with creature comforts like cruise, heated grips etc...
Picked up a new non current (2018) ST for $15k cdn ($11k usd). Too good a deal to pass up.
Now I am searching for another bike to purchase in the next yr or two. Plan on taking lots of test rides.
My biggest question right now is do I satisfy the inner squid and get another hp beast or get the T7 for the off-road enthusiast in me?
Truth Be told, the Triumph Thruxton really peaks my interest. Totally outside the norm for me.
Whatever you decide good luck and keep the rubber on the road.
Cheers!

 

[Sierra1]

Remember the big GS’s that Charlie and Ewan rode around the world? . . . .

I had heard that KTM was their first choice, but a the last minute, KTM backed out.

 

[moto.monk]

Rode a BMW gs I think 2008 about 2 years ago. I like it but I look today at bmw prices plus parts and maintenance and thought no hell no. If you have money sure but I looked a 2014 and still compared to the st for almost everything. I still haven't seen anything that compare to st. Sure shiner, more tech but who cares. Maybe self balancing , a lower seat height, keyless ignition, smoother throttle/gear box would make me think about another bike.

 

[VRODE]

I had heard that KTM was their first choice, but a the last minute, KTM backed out.

Yes. Charlie wanted KTM badly but they wouldn’t offer any support. BMW saw the marketing opp and stepped up.

 

[Sierra1]

Yes. Charlie wanted KTM badly but they wouldn’t offer any support. BMW saw the marketing opp and stepped up.

It caused me to drink the Kool-Aid. . . . until I lived with an RT past warranty.

 

[scott123007]

Can you imagine if the Tenere was available then and ended up as their bike of choice? Poor support crew would have turned into a bunch of bored drunks! LOL

 

[Sierra1]

All the magazines would still have pooped on it then, as they do now. Unless Charlie & Ewan tried different bikes out, and lived with them day-to-day, they'd never find out how good the T12 truly is. That being said, I think the T7 would be the better choice for them, if they were to do it today. I'm sure the support crew would have stayed busy with tire changes.

 

[lund]

The question I like to ask people is "where would BMW adventure series motorcycle be today if it wasn't for Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman"
So ask your selves that exact question. For BMW it was a dream come true, moving sells to a whole new level. I hear this all the time that the BMW GS has set and is the benchmark in ADV motorcycles, my reply is BS. Though they did set a benchmark in great marketing after McGregor and Boorman Long way round.
That could had been KTM. Fact is the GS had issues and still has issues and they where supported by a well equip crew.
The real GOD of world motorcycle travel IMO is Ted Simom, read his book Jupiters travels, a must read for any ADV rider and a great inspiration. On a Triumph Tiger 500 travel around the world with NO support. It was Ewan McGregors inspiration for Long Way Round.
Triumph marketing team had their head in the sand at the time, unlike BMW.
Kudos to BMW, they found their niche in great marketing, but the GS is the most OVER RATED and OVER INFLATED adventure motorcycle around. You pay a high tax for really just a badge.
BTW, I have owned 2 GS in the past, they where nice motorcycles to ride but so is the Tenere and my wallet doesn't feel so empty. Ohya, don't drop a GS, they kinda break easy in comparison to others, but then a GS guy won't tell you that LOL.

 

[fac191]

I had heard that KTM was their first choice, but a the last minute, KTM backed out.

Thats true.

 

[bimota]

Thats true.

charlie wanted ktm, ewan wanted bmw, but ewan let charlie have his way but ktm then pulled support for it so they went with bmw

rob

 

[bimota]

my 1200gsa pictured below plus 3 guys i ride with at that time had the same bike so 4 of us all road riders, everyone one of us had a rear wheel bearing fail on only road ridind with under 20000mls on the clock £400 fix, i had 2 fuel sender sensors in my petrol tank fail £250 each time i,ve had 2 bmw,s the 1150gsa i picture above was far superior.

 

[fac191]

my 1200gsa pictured below plus 3 guys i ride with at that time had the same bike so 4 of us all road riders, everyone one of us had a rear wheel bearing fail on only road ridind with under 20000mls on the clock £400 fix, i had 2 fuel sender sensors in my petrol tank fail £250 each time i,ve had 2 bmw,s the 1150gsa i picture above was far superior.
View attachment 69740

If BMW could have maintained the quality of the 1150 throughout they would be so much more buyable used. I have never ridden one but so many people say they ride so well. Its just the ongoing costs and the nagging thought in the back of your mind about when it will let you down. My S10 may be more carthorse than racehorse but i trust it to get me back to the stable.

 

[Checkswrecks]

As I've written before with the SUV analogy, would you need to be seen in the BMW X5 and be tied to the dealer? OMG, it got a ding and needs to be painted before they neighbors see me. Or want to go anywhere and arrive with a Toyota Land Cruiser that needs minimal care?

 

[Sierra1]

They're gorgeous bikes. And, if they were priced like a KIA, maybe it wouldn't so bad, but they're priced like a . . . . well. . . . a BMW. I had always looked at their long warranty as confidence in their product. Now I know it's so people will buy them at all. . . . and then trade them in on new when the warranty expires. I love my homely bike.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Only test rode the big GS once...damn awesome bike. Felt like a bike they've been tweaking for 40 years to get it perfect. Outstanding bike.

But that price, and the reliability questions...very hard to pull that trigger.

 

[Sierra1]

They have been tweaking for for 40 years, probably gonna need another 40.