Why an R1?......

[AndyB]

My wife put 25k miles on her R1 and most of them were touring Europe with camping kit strapped on the bike. They're even pretty good on fuel because she only used to start worrying when the trip got to about 170 miles and she wouldn't be hanging around most of the time.

She got rid of it May last year and replaced it with a new Sprint which is better on fuel but has an annoying habit of dumping her clothes along the road because the latches on the panniers are crap. She's even started putting a Rokstrap round each one so she doesn't have to keep going shopping for new clothes every couple of days :laugh:

[APD_660Ten]

That's what you get for buying British :whistle:

[RoadTrekker]

Why not!!

You should ask the same question about doing ATW on C90, Scooters, Tuk Tuk. The simple answer is that for some its all they have and cannot afford BMW, Tenners, ATM.

The other thing is that for some they want to be different and make it harder for themselves as a greater challenge which helps them to get noticed. We should applaud these adventurers and not question them, for there achievements are much greater than taking the Touratech route of having the very best kit and bikes.

Nick is a bit off the wall and that is what makes him so interesting he has made a lot of achievements and personal sacrifices and continues to do so. He is also knowledgeable about the places that he visits, historically and geographically.

The simple answer is that it is better to do it than talk about it, good on him and I hope he continues as lets face it he would never win a beauty contest!!!

[sprintster]

That's what you get for buying British :whistle:

I've done 65k miles on my ST and never had a problem with the panniers....or anything else more than a clutch cable and sensor wire breaking for that matter! (thumbs)

[AndyB]

That's what you get for buying British :whistle:

I've done 65k miles on my ST and never had a problem with the panniers....or anything else more than a clutch cable and sensor wire breaking for that matter! (thumbs)

Triumph must have changed their supplier. You sound as if you've been lucky because she also needed a battery before the bike was 12 months old and Triumph knocked back the warranty claim.

[sprintster]

the R1 has proven to be one of the most reliable bikes ever over the years, yamaha just got it right, full stop. puts a lot of "adventure" bikes that cost 50% more to shame, if you can cope with the riding position then why not? an R1 is 190kg, a GS is what, 220kg? my old sprintST was more comfortable than my varadero.

I own a Sprint ST and RS.I would love to go green laning,but since Scottish law makes it so difficult I will just stick to road bikes.If you've got no intention of riding off-road why buy a bike that's compromised on road with skinny,odd sized knobbly tyres,etc.? :unsure:

[sprintster]

That's what you get for buying British :whistle:

I've done 65k miles on my ST and never had a problem with the panniers....or anything else more than a clutch cable and sensor wire breaking for that matter! (thumbs)

Triumph must have changed their supplier. You sound as if you've been lucky because she also needed a battery before the bike was 12 months old and Triumph knocked back the warranty claim.

The original battery lasted for 8 years...and even then I was kicking myself because I thought I too premature in replacing it ! :laugh:

[ZX Raziel]

I subscribed to ABR at the NEC and read about Lucassen when I got the mag. Another person who relies on the R1. It's strange as it's not even the best sports bike but obviously very reliable. Maybe some people just "fit" into sports bikes. I've just turned 40 and just riding to Snetterton from mine was a killer 30 miles away...I'm defo a sit up and beg sort of rider...

Off toppic but I have to say that after sitting on all the bikes at NEC , your model was the most comfortable and ergonomic bike from all of them , everything was where it should be and interstingly enough even people much smaller than me have said the same , well done Ducati .
( the price is another matter )

[-Ralph-]

The answer to this is really simple. 1. Its what he had so he made it work. 2. He wanted to do the fastest circumnavigation, and he thought the dual sport bikes of the time were too slow.

In his own words...

http://www.visordown.com/how-to-do-just ... 16596.html

"On other bikes making progress and building up speed takes time, but on the R1 acceleration is always on tap so I can overtake quickly and get into and out of difficult situations with impunity. The sports riding position lets me look at my vanishing point so I can see where I want to go, and the R1 will get me there with pin-point accuracy."

I'm not sure what 'other bikes' he's been riding, that don't accelerate, aren't accurate, and don't allow you to look at your vanishing point (I can do that on a CG125), but people make all kinds of misconceptions about other types of bike that they haven't ridden.

[Flymo308]

I,ve covered 18,000 miles on my R1 touring Europe without any issues at all.I must admit I got my inspiration from Nick Sanders,this year I bought a Tenere looking forward to next years trip.Reason for this I want travel for longer so its better for carrying luggage camping equipment etc.better fuel range and I think it,ll be better for some of the mountain passes as at times the R1 was a bit uncomforatable.