R1200GS alternatives?
Discussion
I spent all morning on my Explorer today last of old model. It took me about a month to really get to like it , tweaking the suspension /tires etc, now I really do like the bike very much. Fast B roads today , plenty of power with the addictive three cylinder engine ,good almost very good handling, very comfortable and all together good fun. Do have a decent ride on one.
cliffords said:
I spent all morning on my Explorer today last of old model. It took me about a month to really get to like it , tweaking the suspension /tires etc, now I really do like the bike very much. Fast B roads today , plenty of power with the addictive three cylinder engine ,good almost very good handling, very comfortable and all together good fun. Do have a decent ride on one.
Just done 3700 miles in two weeks on mine. I was thinking towards the end of the trip that the more I ride it the more I like it.At walking pace they feel a bit top heavy but that disappears as soon as you get going. Plenty of power (even after a VFR1200) as there is a lot of torque throughout the rev range.
Handling is good and seems unaffected by loading up the bike with luggage.
Mine sounds great through the Arrow can.
Worth a decent test ride.
I'll be testing the triumph soon hopefully.
Did think about the KTM GT but it's absolutely miles to the nearest dealer. Might be bit quick as well, looking to drop slightly in the power stakes as I'll be doing more 2 up/touring than going mad on my own. Binned the ducati on price, almost 20k is too much.
VFR12 just didn't hit the spot perhaps too similar to my old K1300S.
Did think about the KTM GT but it's absolutely miles to the nearest dealer. Might be bit quick as well, looking to drop slightly in the power stakes as I'll be doing more 2 up/touring than going mad on my own. Binned the ducati on price, almost 20k is too much.
VFR12 just didn't hit the spot perhaps too similar to my old K1300S.
S1000XR is neither fish nor fowl. It tries to be a jack of all trades, but it fails for having an engine and drivetrain that encourages you to ride at 12k rpm, when the design remit of an upright/tourer is to ride in comfort with torquey pace without trying to wang the engine round to the redline all the time.
For 2-up touring, adequate pace to get you in jail, and some solo fun with luggage, the GS remains pretty unflappable. A gazillion luggage and touring options available from 3rd parties too. Anything else is a compromise that needs to be justified.
For 2-up touring, adequate pace to get you in jail, and some solo fun with luggage, the GS remains pretty unflappable. A gazillion luggage and touring options available from 3rd parties too. Anything else is a compromise that needs to be justified.
I tested all above and a few more a couple of months ago.
S1000xr is amazing, out of all of them the most sportiest, loads of power, vibey ( but it's just a trait of that engine which is amazing)
Didn't get on with the explorer, it wasn't sporty enough for me
Aprillia caponord was a lovely ride, peach of an engine but parts support put me off
Tracer, great little bike, quick, fun and cheap, suspension let it down imo
Took all ktms out including the superduke gt, all good but a lot of money and again dealer not near me.
Honda crosstourer , big, heavy, engine goes well, but not for me
Tiger sport 2016 , Now this really surprised me, excellent bike!, comfy, quick, the engine is lovely, lovely sporty ride, you can really hustle it, probably the best all round bike of everything I tested.
So I ordered a Mt10!
I've had a multistrada, k13s, and at present a versys 1000 Gt
I tour round Europe every year, and do like a sporty fun ride, just couldn't get that cross plane engine out of my mind, so while I'm still under 50 I want something that is sporty, goes well, is still comfy ( enough) and can have luggage when needed, I've bought a few accessories for the MT to turn it into a tracerish, comfort seat, screen, top box etc, I will keep naked most of the time, but 10minutes adding stuff, turns it into a great little tourer.
Definetly try the new tiger sport, I was very tempted!
S1000xr is amazing, out of all of them the most sportiest, loads of power, vibey ( but it's just a trait of that engine which is amazing)
Didn't get on with the explorer, it wasn't sporty enough for me
Aprillia caponord was a lovely ride, peach of an engine but parts support put me off
Tracer, great little bike, quick, fun and cheap, suspension let it down imo
Took all ktms out including the superduke gt, all good but a lot of money and again dealer not near me.
Honda crosstourer , big, heavy, engine goes well, but not for me
Tiger sport 2016 , Now this really surprised me, excellent bike!, comfy, quick, the engine is lovely, lovely sporty ride, you can really hustle it, probably the best all round bike of everything I tested.
So I ordered a Mt10!
I've had a multistrada, k13s, and at present a versys 1000 Gt
I tour round Europe every year, and do like a sporty fun ride, just couldn't get that cross plane engine out of my mind, so while I'm still under 50 I want something that is sporty, goes well, is still comfy ( enough) and can have luggage when needed, I've bought a few accessories for the MT to turn it into a tracerish, comfort seat, screen, top box etc, I will keep naked most of the time, but 10minutes adding stuff, turns it into a great little tourer.
Definetly try the new tiger sport, I was very tempted!
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff