My question is how do you compare/notice the weight difference on the highways at 70-80 mph ? I know the advantages of less weight when it comes to cornering or picking the damm thing up just cruious of a ST rider to KTM rider perspective.
Thanks
So far, with no cases of any type installed, I have ridden the bike as high as 83 MPH sustained over a several mile stretch, including today at 80 MPH for about 5 miles. Behind the new PUIG touring windscreen the bike as comfortable, and perceived to be as stable as the Tenere, which is truly outstanding. I say perceived because I once totaled a Tenere when hitting a deer while I was riding at 75 MPH, and the bike stayed up. That's a 10 out of 10 perfect stability for the Tenere that I don't want to test on the KTM. But so far, I have never ridden at those speeds on the KTM and wished I had my Tenere back.
I suspect adding my side and top cases will only plant the bike even more. That theory is still to be proven. Adding the top case for a few quick rides did slow down the turning, so my hunch is it will be more stuck to the road. I have not had much cross wind yet, so can't speak to that.
There is a pretty well known issue with this bike becoming unstable above 120 MPH. People doing tank slappers and high-siding...scary stuff. That has never been my interest in riding an adventure bike, and I don't consider that issue to have any relevance to how I will ride the bike 100% of the time.
You mentioned speed...this bike is very fun to ride at near legal speeds. I'm constantly shocked to be coming out of a set of twisties, hammer the throttle, then look down and think..."that's all I'm doing?" At one point today I did that, and the number was only 57 MPH. I would have sworn I had to be much higher, but nope. I don't give a #@!% about high speed, only high sensation and satisfaction...and I was getting it at at just 57 MPH...winner in my book.
Completing my 3rd week of ownership this weekend. I stand behind every good thing I've said about it. Funny how I've gone from a touch of buyer's remorse in the first 100 miles, to now having to keep myself from declare my undying love for the bike too soon. I still need to see how the reliability thing goes. But I am completely, utterly, enthusiastically entertained by this bike. I'm chomping at the bit for the next ride...can't happen soon enough.
Without a doubt, this is the most fun big bike I have ever ridden. I hated giving up the shaft drive. I was nearly kicking and screaming about giving up the massive benefits of the shaft. But I have to admit my sacrifice has been rewarded with an extraordinary increase in the level of fun and excitement. I'm sure some of that is just riding something new, but I do feel my clinging to a shaft drive was keeping me from discovering a whole new riding experience. If a chain is the price of that...well...hand me the chain lube, let's go ride.
It's not all perfect.
-) The lawyers in Austria are not as powerful as Japanese lawyers, but they still have their say. Changing settings can be done on the fly, but causes some awkward moments of push this, then hold that, then release this...less than Ideal.
-) Still trying to keep the warning for "The Key is Not In Range" from coming up at seemingly random times. Still not ready to declaire that a bike problem. I did have the key in a pocket that had foil wrapped packets. Moving the packets helped. But changed jackets today and the issue was back.
-)Roll-on wheelies at speed are pretty much impossible. It's not published anywhere I've found, but even with traction control off, there is wheelie control on this bike. If you try to bring up the front when riding over a hump at 4K RPM or above it comes up about as much as a Tenere in TCS 2 and then you find yourself back on the ground fast. It makes for some uneasy moments. I have a road with a nice hump I could jump on the Tenere with TCS off. It was a downright bizarre moment doing that spot on the KTM today. I really, really don't want wheelie control when I turn off traction control.
-) heat is much more than the Tenere, but completely tolerable with vents closed.
Overall, I'm nit picking, and I can live with all of the above for the fun this bike is giving me.
I do realize I've lost credibility with my wife. I tell her I'm going out for a ride around the block. That about a 25 mile ride when I do it...yesterday it was 70 miles around the block. It is so damn challenging to get this bike heading back home without thinking up yet one more way to make it take longer.
The bike has developed a theme-song (at least the chorus fits) .