What's Your Biking Bench Mark?

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:45 pm

I've had loads of different types bikes.
These days I tend to use my GS800 as a bench mark, what I mean is the GS800 has all the performance I require. Enough BHP, enough Torque and it's fast enough off the line and it's top speed is fine. It's comfy enough for a day in the saddle and its fuel economy is good
So, when I ride another bike I use my GS800 as a kind of control, a bench mark so to speak and I judge another bike's performance and feel in comparison.
I rode my CBR 600 for sixty miles today then rode my GS800 for sixty miles.
My verdict on the CBR.......lacking in low down torque and lacking in midrange. Screaming fast top end! Quite comfy but I wouldn't want to pack in two weeks of 8 hour saddle days.
I rode a GS1200 WC a few weeks back. My verdict.....Powerful, fast, stable, great handling, very comfy....stunning bike.
What bike do you use as a bench mark?

JonnyBravo · Post by **JonnyBravo** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:54 pm

My current GS1200 Adventure twin cam

Whenever i ride another bike - i always feel that they are inferior as a 'whole package'

Its a cliche but its the best bike i've ever owned in over 30 years

so far...............

Well done riding the CBR600 - if i still had mine im not sure the knees would take it (thumbs)

ZX Raziel · Post by **ZX Raziel** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:54 pm

In the adventure class it is the ktm 950/990 bikes , best of both worlds IMO .

captinktm · Post by **captinktm** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:58 pm

SteveW wrote:I've had loads of different types bikes.
These days I tend to use my GS800 as a bench mark, what I mean is the GS800 has all the performance I require. Enough BHP, enough Torque and it's fast enough off the line and it's top speed is fine. It's comfy enough for a day in the saddle and its fuel economy is good
So, when I ride another bike I use my GS800 as a kind of control, a bench mark so to speak and I judge another bike's performance and feel in comparison.
I rode my CBR 600 for sixty miles today then rode my GS800 for sixty miles.
My verdict on the CBR.......lacking in low down torque and lacking in midrange. Screaming fast top end! Quite comfy but I wouldn't want to pack in two weeks of 8 hour saddle days.
I rode a GS1200 WC a few weeks back. My verdict.....Powerful, fast, stable, great handling, very comfy....stunning bike.
What bike do you use as a bench mark?

Oh dear Steve if you set the bench mark that low anything is going to seem good

Stewie · Post by **Stewie** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 6:58 pm

It's the shoe shop paradox, the comfiest shoes are the ones you wore into the shop :whistle:

tuftywhite · Post by **tuftywhite** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 7:05 pm

A benchmark is a standard you compare against, surely, not what you think to be the best to try to better.

My benchmark is my 1981 R80g/s which I've had since 2001. It's the bike I've ridden the most.

My R1200GS is a faster, more modern and comfortable bike than the old'un.

My Alp is less comfortable but nippier and better on the green lanes (especially in deep ruts)

If I were looking at getting another big trail bike it would be compared against the g/s. If it was less comfortable and slower it wouldn't be getting bought by me.

Also, each bike has its strengths and weaknesses but not better or worse per se. They could be better in certain aspects certainly.

As humans we can't help but compare.

johnnyboxer · Post by **johnnyboxer** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 7:12 pm

Road & Touring
BMW R1150 GS Adv
No finer bike has been made since

Trail Riding
Suzuki DR 350 SE
Perfect blend of engine/gearbox & superb on the trail & road sections - nobody needs an Enduro bike on uk trails

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 7:13 pm

tuftywhite wrote:A benchmark is a standard you compare against, surely, not what you think to be the best to try to better.

Exactly, I use my GS800 as a bench mark...a standard to judge other bikes against.

The GS 1200wc Ace's my GS800 in just about every way except fuel economy, so I would class the 1200wc as a fast powerful and comfy bike.
If I used my old Hayabusa as a bench mark then the GS would be comfy but slow.

captinktm · Post by **captinktm** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 7:26 pm

SteveW wrote:
tuftywhite wrote:A benchmark is a standard you compare against, surely, not what you think to be the best to try to better.

Exactly, I use my GS800 as a bench mark...a standard to judge other bikes against.

The GS 1200wc Ace's my GS800 in just about every way except fuel economy, so I would class the 1200wc as a fast powerful and comfy bike.
If I used my old Hayabusa as a bench mark then the GS would be comfy but slow.
Steve you only have one problem..........time enough to ride all these bikes!

moto al · Post by **moto al** » Fri Feb 05, 2016 8:00 pm

Sorry I don't , understand . The only thing I can think off, maybe I'm on the wrong channel. In 1981 I sold my pride and joy an 1979 BMW r100t , the reason too put a deposit on a house, thankfully I managed to purchase a second hand MZ Ts 250 ,a bike I traveled to Italy, and many German MZ rally's . Met some great friends , and still visit each other. If that's what you call a bench mark. 10 out of 10 for me a MZts250 when I was skint many happy times.Al (thumbs)