A picture a day....biker banter (Vol 4)
Discussion
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
Rode this today with the OH on the back. Very cheerful and helpful folk at Bahnstormer in Alton
Verdict (vs my FI Blackbird)?
Handling
Blackbird: Small letter
K1300S: A1 Jiffy bag.
Seriously, this thing is so stable once it's turned in. That weird front end works, and doesn't take the fun out of chucking it into tight corners hard. Slightly more effort to turn than my Blackbird (with the 6mm shim on the shock), but feels much better once turned. Brakes were a bit like my mother's Fiesta – nothing… nothing… everything!
Speed
Really effing fast. Noticeably more midrange than my Blackbird. Quickshifter is a bit old-school – compared to the one on the S1000R or V4 Tuono it feels a bit agricultural. It once popped out of third back down to second at full-throttle too. Engine felt pretty coarse (nasty bar vibes around 5-7k), and under engine braking there was a slightly vibration from the back end – could this be the shaft drive?
There's a flipside – getting back on my Blackbird I felt I could redline it everywhere in comparison to the K1300. That's more fun.
Comfort
The K1300 was really, really comfy for me at 6'3" in terms of ergonomics, but the screen directed the windblast straight under my helmet – to the extent that I couldn't hear the engine or Akrapovic above 40mph (with or without earplugs). The girlfriend was sliding about fore and aft despite her best efforts – she didn't love it. The hand holds were awkwardly placed under her thighs too. She's a marathon runner, not a salad dodger, so any pillion with slightly more inner-thigh wibble would likely struggle to use the grips too. It had a clear plastic bit above the tail light which looked like it might be some sort of case mount, so she couldn't hold on there.
Verdict
It was great, and if I didn't have a Blackbird already I'd have thought it was the second coming. But in the end it was just 15% better in every area than my £8k cheaper bike. It would be devastatingly quick around the Black Forest, but unfortunately the pillion situation (and the fact that my Blackbird just feels a lot smoother all-round) means it's off the list. I'll probably end up with a S1000XR or a Multistrada.
Good write up and I agree with most of what you've written. Mine too was a little rough until it got bedded in and the brakes also need some time to get their feel. How many miles had the one you rode done?Verdict (vs my FI Blackbird)?
Handling
Blackbird: Small letter
K1300S: A1 Jiffy bag.
Seriously, this thing is so stable once it's turned in. That weird front end works, and doesn't take the fun out of chucking it into tight corners hard. Slightly more effort to turn than my Blackbird (with the 6mm shim on the shock), but feels much better once turned. Brakes were a bit like my mother's Fiesta – nothing… nothing… everything!
Speed
Really effing fast. Noticeably more midrange than my Blackbird. Quickshifter is a bit old-school – compared to the one on the S1000R or V4 Tuono it feels a bit agricultural. It once popped out of third back down to second at full-throttle too. Engine felt pretty coarse (nasty bar vibes around 5-7k), and under engine braking there was a slightly vibration from the back end – could this be the shaft drive?
There's a flipside – getting back on my Blackbird I felt I could redline it everywhere in comparison to the K1300. That's more fun.
Comfort
The K1300 was really, really comfy for me at 6'3" in terms of ergonomics, but the screen directed the windblast straight under my helmet – to the extent that I couldn't hear the engine or Akrapovic above 40mph (with or without earplugs). The girlfriend was sliding about fore and aft despite her best efforts – she didn't love it. The hand holds were awkwardly placed under her thighs too. She's a marathon runner, not a salad dodger, so any pillion with slightly more inner-thigh wibble would likely struggle to use the grips too. It had a clear plastic bit above the tail light which looked like it might be some sort of case mount, so she couldn't hold on there.
Verdict
It was great, and if I didn't have a Blackbird already I'd have thought it was the second coming. But in the end it was just 15% better in every area than my £8k cheaper bike. It would be devastatingly quick around the Black Forest, but unfortunately the pillion situation (and the fact that my Blackbird just feels a lot smoother all-round) means it's off the list. I'll probably end up with a S1000XR or a Multistrada.
When I bought mine I had a K1200S and thought the K1300S was only about 5% better and thus was a lot of money for a small improvement. Now I've owned mine for almost 50k miles, and have done a few Euro tours on it (some with a pillion) then all I can say is that 5% is very important and worth every penny. There is a very good reason why, of the 19 bikes on this years Old Gits trip to Northern Spain and France, 6 of them were K1300Ss.
you b
d! black-k1 said:
Good write up and I agree with most of what you've written. Mine too was a little rough until it got bedded in and the brakes also need some time to get their feel. How many miles had the one you rode done?
When I bought mine I had a K1200S and thought the K1300S was only about 5% better and thus was a lot of money for a small improvement. Now I've owned mine for almost 50k miles, and have done a few Euro tours on it (some with a pillion) then all I can say is that 5% is very important and worth every penny. There is a very good reason why, of the 19 bikes on this years Old Gits trip to Northern Spain and France, 6 of them were K1300Ss.
It ticked over 3,000 miles while I was out on it. I can see why it's a brilliant bike for solo tours, but I don't think it'd be the best for two-up trips. And I'm far too young for a GS. If only the OH wasn't interested in going pillion then I could happily make do with a sportsbike for my touring needs!When I bought mine I had a K1200S and thought the K1300S was only about 5% better and thus was a lot of money for a small improvement. Now I've owned mine for almost 50k miles, and have done a few Euro tours on it (some with a pillion) then all I can say is that 5% is very important and worth every penny. There is a very good reason why, of the 19 bikes on this years Old Gits trip to Northern Spain and France, 6 of them were K1300Ss.
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
Rode this today with the OH on the back. Very cheerful and helpful folk at Bahnstormer in Alton
Verdict (vs my FI Blackbird)?
Handling
Blackbird: Small letter
K1300S: A1 Jiffy bag.
Seriously, this thing is so stable once it's turned in. That weird front end works, and doesn't take the fun out of chucking it into tight corners hard. Slightly more effort to turn than my Blackbird (with the 6mm shim on the shock), but feels much better once turned. Brakes were a bit like my mother's Fiesta – nothing… nothing… everything!
Speed
Really effing fast. Noticeably more midrange than my Blackbird. Quickshifter is a bit old-school – compared to the one on the S1000R or V4 Tuono it feels a bit agricultural. It once popped out of third back down to second at full-throttle too. Engine felt pretty coarse (nasty bar vibes around 5-7k), and under engine braking there was a slightly vibration from the back end – could this be the shaft drive?
There's a flipside – getting back on my Blackbird I felt I could redline it everywhere in comparison to the K1300. That's more fun.
Comfort
The K1300 was really, really comfy for me at 6'3" in terms of ergonomics, but the screen directed the windblast straight under my helmet – to the extent that I couldn't hear the engine or Akrapovic above 40mph (with or without earplugs). The girlfriend was sliding about fore and aft despite her best efforts – she didn't love it. The hand holds were awkwardly placed under her thighs too. She's a marathon runner, not a salad dodger, so any pillion with slightly more inner-thigh wibble would likely struggle to use the grips too. It had a clear plastic bit above the tail light which looked like it might be some sort of case mount, so she couldn't hold on there.
Verdict
It was great, and if I didn't have a Blackbird already I'd have thought it was the second coming. But in the end it was just 15% better in every area than my £8k cheaper bike. It would be devastatingly quick around the Black Forest, but unfortunately the pillion situation (and the fact that my Blackbird just feels a lot smoother all-round) means it's off the list. I'll probably end up with a S1000XR or a Multistrada.
Good write up. The chaps at Alton are very friendly, it's almost a shame not to buy a bike off them. Between a 2015 Multistrada and an S1000XR I reckon you will prefer the Ducati. They've both got more than enough power (too much for me if truth be known - would very rarely be on full noise) and I started looking at lower powered 'tall' bikes as well and absolutely love the Yamaha Tracer. The only thing that's likely to destract me is Ducati releasing an 899 Multistrada for £10.5k - which is unlikely. Verdict (vs my FI Blackbird)?
Handling
Blackbird: Small letter
K1300S: A1 Jiffy bag.
Seriously, this thing is so stable once it's turned in. That weird front end works, and doesn't take the fun out of chucking it into tight corners hard. Slightly more effort to turn than my Blackbird (with the 6mm shim on the shock), but feels much better once turned. Brakes were a bit like my mother's Fiesta – nothing… nothing… everything!
Speed
Really effing fast. Noticeably more midrange than my Blackbird. Quickshifter is a bit old-school – compared to the one on the S1000R or V4 Tuono it feels a bit agricultural. It once popped out of third back down to second at full-throttle too. Engine felt pretty coarse (nasty bar vibes around 5-7k), and under engine braking there was a slightly vibration from the back end – could this be the shaft drive?
There's a flipside – getting back on my Blackbird I felt I could redline it everywhere in comparison to the K1300. That's more fun.
Comfort
The K1300 was really, really comfy for me at 6'3" in terms of ergonomics, but the screen directed the windblast straight under my helmet – to the extent that I couldn't hear the engine or Akrapovic above 40mph (with or without earplugs). The girlfriend was sliding about fore and aft despite her best efforts – she didn't love it. The hand holds were awkwardly placed under her thighs too. She's a marathon runner, not a salad dodger, so any pillion with slightly more inner-thigh wibble would likely struggle to use the grips too. It had a clear plastic bit above the tail light which looked like it might be some sort of case mount, so she couldn't hold on there.
Verdict
It was great, and if I didn't have a Blackbird already I'd have thought it was the second coming. But in the end it was just 15% better in every area than my £8k cheaper bike. It would be devastatingly quick around the Black Forest, but unfortunately the pillion situation (and the fact that my Blackbird just feels a lot smoother all-round) means it's off the list. I'll probably end up with a S1000XR or a Multistrada.
moto_traxport said:
Good write up. The chaps at Alton are very friendly, it's almost a shame not to buy a bike off them. Between a 2015 Multistrada and an S1000XR I reckon you will prefer the Ducati. They've both got more than enough power (too much for me if truth be known - would very rarely be on full noise) and I started looking at lower powered 'tall' bikes as well and absolutely love the Yamaha Tracer. The only thing that's likely to destract me is Ducati releasing an 899 Multistrada for £10.5k - which is unlikely.
That'll be the hyperstrada - 821 engine with 110bhp, £10,500. That's ducati's mini tourer.Took a run over to the Chelveston classic meet on the LC, (well) organised and run by those friendly folk from the Hells Angels, was a good day out and im sure they made a fair few quid for their chosen charity..
Git back home around 4pm when it pissed down , always feels good to have ducked that particular bullet eh?
Git back home around 4pm when it pissed down , always feels good to have ducked that particular bullet eh?
Spent the last few weeks putting this together....
Full Ohlins, BST Carbon wheels, Termis and custom map by Wilf at MotoRapido, race air filter, SBK15 bodywork, full crash protection, race brake pads, ASV levers, lots of carbon etc etc..
Set up the sag front and back and took it for a ride this afternoon but the roads are still wet and now it's dirty again...
Too early to tell yet but seems very good.....engine picks up a treat and pulls hard now, seems lighter and much more flickable and brakes feel very strong. Looks pretty good too.....
Shakedown tests at Rockingham on Saturday........
[
Full Ohlins, BST Carbon wheels, Termis and custom map by Wilf at MotoRapido, race air filter, SBK15 bodywork, full crash protection, race brake pads, ASV levers, lots of carbon etc etc..
Set up the sag front and back and took it for a ride this afternoon but the roads are still wet and now it's dirty again...
Too early to tell yet but seems very good.....engine picks up a treat and pulls hard now, seems lighter and much more flickable and brakes feel very strong. Looks pretty good too.....
Shakedown tests at Rockingham on Saturday........
[
Done about 250 miles today. Front suspension tweaks as I went along just need back sorted.
Had to do a 50 mile detour as an accident involving a Biker shut the road home. I saw him being worked on when I was heading north so not sure if he made it but must be bad as they shut the road and was still shut hours later. Ended up getting diverted to Loch lomond only to find that road closed as well, an 86 year old Biker was killed earlier on. The roads were jammed solid.
KTMboy said:
Spent the last few weeks putting this together....
Full Ohlins, BST Carbon wheels, Termis and custom map by Wilf at MotoRapido, race air filter, SBK15 bodywork, full crash protection, race brake pads, ASV levers, lots of carbon etc etc..
Set up the sag front and back and took it for a ride this afternoon but the roads are still wet and now it's dirty again...
Too early to tell yet but seems very good.....engine picks up a treat and pulls hard now, seems lighter and much more flickable and brakes feel very strong. Looks pretty good too.....
Shakedown tests at Rockingham on Saturday........
[
Phwoar Full Ohlins, BST Carbon wheels, Termis and custom map by Wilf at MotoRapido, race air filter, SBK15 bodywork, full crash protection, race brake pads, ASV levers, lots of carbon etc etc..
Set up the sag front and back and took it for a ride this afternoon but the roads are still wet and now it's dirty again...
Too early to tell yet but seems very good.....engine picks up a treat and pulls hard now, seems lighter and much more flickable and brakes feel very strong. Looks pretty good too.....
Shakedown tests at Rockingham on Saturday........
[
KTMboy said:
Spent the last few weeks putting this together....
Full Ohlins, BST Carbon wheels, Termis and custom map by Wilf at MotoRapido, race air filter, SBK15 bodywork, full crash protection, race brake pads, ASV levers, lots of carbon etc etc..
Set up the sag front and back and took it for a ride this afternoon but the roads are still wet and now it's dirty again...
Too early to tell yet but seems very good.....engine picks up a treat and pulls hard now, seems lighter and much more flickable and brakes feel very strong. Looks pretty good too.....
Shakedown tests at Rockingham on Saturday........
[
Still a road bike too?Full Ohlins, BST Carbon wheels, Termis and custom map by Wilf at MotoRapido, race air filter, SBK15 bodywork, full crash protection, race brake pads, ASV levers, lots of carbon etc etc..
Set up the sag front and back and took it for a ride this afternoon but the roads are still wet and now it's dirty again...
Too early to tell yet but seems very good.....engine picks up a treat and pulls hard now, seems lighter and much more flickable and brakes feel very strong. Looks pretty good too.....
Shakedown tests at Rockingham on Saturday........
[
moanthebairns said:
Done about 250 miles today. Front suspension tweaks as I went along just need back sorted.
Had to do a 50 mile detour as an accident involving a Biker shut the road home. I saw him being worked on when I was heading north so not sure if he made it but must be bad as they shut the road and was still shut hours later. Ended up getting diverted to Loch lomond only to find that road closed as well, an 86 year old Biker was killed earlier on. The roads were jammed solid.
Edited by shurm on Monday 24th August 07:21
Edited by shurm on Monday 24th August 07:23
Edited by shurm on Monday 24th August 07:28
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff