Which used Adventure Bike and why ?

[Chipchap]

So if you had c£12-14k to spend on a late model low mileage Adventure bike for touring but not any real off road stuff except maybe the odd fire break road. Needs to be 400 mile comfy, economical, reliable and not st money. Which would the BB collective choose and why.

[Tribal Chestnut]

I rode a new Versys 1000 this week and it left me quite cold. Also took out an 1190 which is on my shortlist with an S1000XR.

Big problem with the KTM is that it looks and sounds dull.

[Chipchap]

Bugger I forgot the S1000XR

[moto_traxport]

Non of the above.

Yamaha Tracer. Brand new.

If your fussy / dead keen to spend the additional £6k you can buy it Ohlins, Akrapovic, gel seats, luggage, women, drugs, blah, blah, blah.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Multistrada; Because they can do everything very well. I can't say a bad thing about them.

[moto_traxport]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Multistrada; Because they can do everything very well. I can't say a bad thing about them.

I've been dancing around buying one for 3 years now and chat to owners at every opportunity and EVERY one has had problems with the things, be it the keyless thing, steering lock servos, clocks, various sensors etc etc

[Tribal Chestnut]

moto_traxport said:

Non of the above.

Yamaha Tracer. Brand new.

If your fussy / dead keen to spend the additional £6k you can buy it Ohlins, Akrapovic, gel seats, luggage, women, drugs, blah, blah, blah.

Nice enough bike, but make sure the ergonomics work for you.

I had a go and really, really wanted to like it, but there was no leg space and I was perched on the tank - fine for a quick Sunday ride or short commute, but anything more, no bloody way.

[STO]

What about the Triumph Tiger explorer? Are they any good?

[Chipchap]

Added a few

[Biker's Nemesis]

moto_traxport said:

I've been dancing around buying one for 3 years now and chat to owners at every opportunity and EVERY one has had problems with the things, be it the keyless thing, steering lock servos, clocks, various sensors etc etc

I know 6 people with them and none have had problems.

[moto_traxport]

Tribal Chestnut said:

moto_traxport said:

Non of the above.

Yamaha Tracer. Brand new.

If your fussy / dead keen to spend the additional £6k you can buy it Ohlins, Akrapovic, gel seats, luggage, women, drugs, blah, blah, blah.

Nice enough bike, but make sure the ergonomics work for you.

I had a go and really, really wanted to like it, but there was no leg space and I was perched on the tank - fine for a quick Sunday ride or short commute, but anything more, no bloody way.

Did see your appraisal of it on your other thread. I found leg room very good but I did insist they put the seat up to the high setting (plus another 30mm or something) because it's one the reasons I'm after an adventure style bike because of my dodgy knees. Nuts on tank is how I ride anyway due to owning countless KR1 and KR1S's in my yoof and slappy litre bikes in my middle years.

By the way the 2015 Multistrada is heaps better than the earlier bike and I would suggest getting a new base spec version of that with full warranty rather than a fancier older bike.

[Tribal Chestnut]

STO said:

What about the Triumph Tiger explorer? Are they any good?

IIRC Chipchap is one of the monumental envelope pushers, so if an inexperienced baby such as myself can have the Tiger's pegs scraping on a test ride without trying to work it hard, then I doubt it would be at all suitable for a riding God.

Other than that, I thought the Tiger was a lovely, comfortable bike and good value in XRT guise.

[bass gt3]

At 14K you're very close to the 15K new price for the 1290 Super Adventure. Might be worth a look.
1190 isn't 400milecomfy for most. I did 800 in a day on mine and the seat was a constant issue. The 1290 is massively improved.
GS1200 TE is a shout but really?
The S1000XR is vibey I found.
The Triumph 1200 is good value if you get the later XC with Cruise etc.
I'd scratch the Caponord off the list straight away as there seems to be reliability issues, the Super Tenere is a lardy slow lump.
The Versys I know nothing about so won't comment.
The later Ducati's seem very good. I know lots with them and no issues
For left field, look at the MG Stelvio or the new MV offering...

[Chipchap]

Tribal Chestnut said:

IIRC Chipchap is one of the monumental envelope pushers, so if an inexperienced baby such as myself can have the Tiger's pegs scraping on a test ride without trying to work it hard, then I doubt it would be at all suitable for a riding God.

Other than that, I thought the Tiger was a lovely, comfortable bike and good value in XRT guise.

Now there is a fair chance that you have me mixed up with someone else or there is an equal chance that you are just taking the pi$$. On the other hand you may be being provocative ?

Which is it as I am a tad thick ?

A

[MoelyCrio]

Tribal Chestnut said:

moto_traxport said:

Non of the above.

Yamaha Tracer. Brand new.

If your fussy / dead keen to spend the additional £6k you can buy it Ohlins, Akrapovic, gel seats, luggage, women, drugs, blah, blah, blah.

Nice enough bike, but make sure the ergonomics work for you.

I had a go and really, really wanted to like it, but there was no leg space and I was perched on the tank - fine for a quick Sunday ride or short commute, but anything more, no bloody way.

How tall are you? I'm 6'3'' and found the legroom plenty.

[benebob]

As the owner of a 06 Tiger 955i I can honestly to say unless you are planning on doing "unadventurous touring" 2 up none of the above. My Tiger which weighs in around 50lbs lighter than anything you have listed here is simply too heavy to enjoy riding off road, esp. when you add 60lbs of sutff. My next bike will be in the 650-800 range. If you do not plan on doing off roading then you shouldn't be looking at an adventure bike anyways. There are far better touring bikes out there.

[Chipchap]

I still have my MV F4 for sports bike stuff but the 2nd bike will have 2 uses. 1st for 2 up with the GF and she wont get on anything that does not have a long seat to peg reach, comfy seat and top box or sissy bar with back pad. Then I want it to be fun when I am on it solo.

So for me the Multistrada 1200S or the BMW S1000XR can fulfil that role as they have 17" wheels front and rear, 150+ bhp and the ones that I have been out with look easy to ride fairly quickly.

So I don't want a Triumph Trophy or a K1600 BMW as it would just sit in the garage most of its life only coming out for 5 or 6 days out and maybe a week away.

A

[Tribal Chestnut]

bass gt3 said:

At 14K you're very close to the 15K new price for the 1290 Super Adventure. Might be worth a look.
1190 isn't 400milecomfy for most. I did 800 in a day on mine and the seat was a constant issue. The 1290 is massively improved.
GS1200 TE is a shout but really?
The S1000XR is vibey I found.
The Triumph 1200 is good value if you get the later XC with Cruise etc.
I'd scratch the Caponord off the list straight away as there seems to be reliability issues, the Super Tenere is a lardy slow lump.
The Versys I know nothing about so won't comment.
The later Ducati's seem very good. I know lots with them and no issues
For left field, look at the MG Stelvio or the new MV offering...

Aside from the seat, what 1190 gripes did the 1290 fix for you?

[Smiler1]

moto_traxport said:

Biker's Nemesis said:

Multistrada; Because they can do everything very well. I can't say a bad thing about them.

I've been dancing around buying one for 3 years now and chat to owners at every opportunity and EVERY one has had problems with the things, be it the keyless thing, steering lock servos, clocks, various sensors etc etc

bought mine new last year - now done just over 8000 miles and it hasn't put a foot wrong - it comfy, reliable, handles and in sport mode it wants to hurt you

[bass gt3]

Tribal Chestnut said:

Aside from the seat, what 1190 gripes did the 1290 fix for you?

The other big issue on the 1190 is the heat that comes up under your left leg. The 1290 has some extensive mods in this dept. Exhaust shield and a side plate to prevent the hot air coming up sorted out perfectly.
The seats on the 1290 are like chalk and cheese compared to the 1190 and the rear is very pillion friendly unlike on the 1190.
The bigger tank on the 1290is nice when you have 150+hpat your disposal
The 1290 has better wind protection around the lower leg area compared to the 1190 and the screen is a massive improvement. I found it difficult to not be buffeted on the 1190 but no issues on the 1290 and it's very close to the BMW GSA in terms of wind protection.
For what you are wanting I'd not recommend the 1190 but the 1290 might be right up your alley, especially with the nice extras like hill hold control and electronic suspension.
And it hustles. Really hustles. The GS is a wet lettuce by comparison with 125 bhp and the same weight. 2 Up abroad and you'll still hang with the big boys.