This may be of interest to some, I'd also like feedback on this as well as I'm getting old now, and drunker!
This is a tale of three bikes and my constant battle to decide for the future.
I was up at Ullapool last weekend with the Crosstourer. The Mighty Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer,a fine bike. Does everything it says on the tin. It also does it very well and at warp speed! Anyone who's tried to keep the VFR in the boil (above 8000rpm) will have fought the urge to turn off traction control to allow front wheel lift out of corners without the danger of wheelspin! Ridden hard the Crosstourer is an absolutely amazing bike. The suspension takes a bit of setting up to suit the rider and style but that's what massively adjustable suspension's for! One of the most enjoyable riding experiences of my life and that's matching against Blades, VFR's, R1's, and GSXR's.
Next up, the old Honda XRV750 RD04. Now, we're talking dated technology here! No traction control or anti wheelie! There's no boiling point with it, it's a twin! Simple torque, keep the throttle open and hope for steam! I LOVE riding my old Africa Twin, there's just something about it. You can ride the wheels off it, it's not a scary bike, just pure fun. It wheelies off the throttle in first gear, makes me smile every junction! LOL! 50mpg, same as the Crosstourer but half the power! LOL! Technology I suppose! Great on hard tracks, hangs the tail beautifully at any speed. Wonderful Honda offroad technology, the geometry, the rake, the length of swingarm, brilliant.
I had a seat on Dubbers Sertao at Ullapool and still fancy one of those. I enjoyed my Funduro immensely and yearn for something lighter, better on fuel, with decent offroad ability and touring capable. With this in mind, I took Fiona's G650GS out today for a short ride. After coming off the Africa Twin this afternoon (which I thought was a bit dull this afternoon after the Crosstourer) I jumped straight on to the G650GS thinking if this feels as good as the Africa Twin I might just buy a Sertao,,,,,,, em,,,,,, well,,,,,, it felt really dull compared to the XRV750!
Did it wheelie? Well, yes. But being so low geared in 1st it was short lived, like a pushbike! You'd need to sneck it up the box on the back wheel to get distance but I'm no circus entertainer I'm afraid! No torque in comparison but speed was on a par over the same sort of distance (just over the ton).
Sooooo,,,, for those who remember the original Gran Tourismo PS game, the video at the beginning, the music, the build up to getting on to the track? Remember the goosebumps? The Crosstourer does that!
The Africa Twin doesn't,,,,, but it makes you smile! And I don't want to come off the @T once I'm out there.
The G650GS doesn't,,,,, no goosebumps,,,,, no smile,,,,,,, hmmmmmm!
Drunken rantings for sure, but what does it all mean???? I'm unsure.
The Honda VFR1200X Crosstourer is a damned fine bike, a memorable riding experience, especially for sportsbike riders.
The Honda XRV750 RD04 Africa Twin is another damned fine bike, a very pleasant riding experience especially for dirtbike riders.
The BMW G650GS,,,,, well,,,,, it was ok,,,,,,,,hmmmm. A rethink methinks????
Enjoy folks, the whisky is absolutely exquisite tonight! Slainte!
