The Cost Of Big "Adventure" Bikes!

[SteveW]

yeah, adventure bikes obviously are not for you. Get a goldwing and be over with whining about adventure costs and difficulties associated with. That's OK, not everybody can take it.

Good input buddy, I'm just trying to get a discussion about bikes going on a motorcycle forum.

[Heff]

I get great enjoyment from taking the Panzer down roads/lanes that you would never dream of taking a sports tourer regardless of who the manufacturer is (thumbs)

I left sports tourers for that very reason :whistle:

[AndyB]

The easy answer is to buy what suits your needs and your pocket best but without resorting to asking a constant stream of pointless questions on the Internet.

That's not a dig at you btw Steve (thumbs)

[JJay51]

KTM 1050
Yam 1200 Tenere
CRF1000

The new Versys 1000 gt is kitted at 11.5k so again not bad money for a comfy upright tourer

3 decent adv bikes all around the same price as the ZZR so i dont see where your point is?

[Mike54]

Steve I reckon you'd find the ZZR v cramped to be honest. But your point is a good one in terms of price. Forgetting dirt bikes for now, for a road biased bike I want an upright riding position and space on it, no so much for luggage but for me so I can be comfortable. Manufacturers have cottoned on to short people moaning for a long time about bike height, but they don't seem to be that interested in accomodating tall people via lengthening the peg to seat measurement, and the lines which go from the pegs to the bars, to the riders shoulders (the triangle)

So...where does that leave us for comfortable upright riding? It leaves us with adventure bikes, naked bikes (to a point) and some "sports tourers" if the bars are straight and the triangle referred to above is lengthy. I am comfortable on the following for a full tank of gas (at 6'3 with 34" inside leg)

KTM 1190, both R and S (I have an R at present with a Renazco seat and lowered pegs)
KTM 1290 SDR (yes, amazing eh? lowered pegs are also available for it, its a mega thing)
Yam Super 10 - a great bike but doesnt stir my loins at all
BMW 1200GS - amazing machinery but as above, I find it a bit vanilla
Kawasaki Z1000 - more roomy than you might think
Yamaha MT10 - this is an interesting one. Under 10 grand for screaming bike with great handling. Add a set of SW Motech blaze panniers and boom you have a great tourer. Big screen avialable for it too but I wouldnt bother. Also possible to lower the pegs


So for me (please no one get on your high horse, its personal opinion), I think the best all rounder is the KTM, either version actually. If you want mega value, the 1050 cannot be beaten really.

BUT....for a waz round Europe on twisty roads, mountains etc in summer? The super duke, the MT10 and the Kwak would be mega. All will take luggage. The SD is rich in price terms, the MT is the best value here I reckon. So, how about a used F800 for true off tarmac touring like morocco, and an MT10 for tarmac howls and euro trips?

[simonw]

..Manufacturers have cottoned on to short people moaning for a long time about bike height, but they don't seem to be that interested in accomodating tall people via lengthening the peg to seat measurement, and the lines which go from the pegs to the bars, to the riders shoulders (the triangle)

Amen to that! (thumbs)

..Yamaha MT10 - this is an interesting one. Under 10 grand for screaming bike with great handling. Add a set of SW Motech blaze panniers and boom you have a great tourer.

I borrowed one on Friday whilst my DL1000 was in for a service. It was nuts :woohoo: (and very uncomfortable)!

..So for me (please no one get on your high horse, its personal opinion), I think the best all rounder is the KTM, either version actually. If you want mega value, the 1050 cannot be beaten really..

Or the DL1000, with no TPS or other gizmos to go wrong etc?

[sprintster]

Adventure bikes aren't always going to be more comfortable for everybody than a sports tourer.Your body weight has got to go somewhere and if your arms aren't taking any sat bolt upright then it's all going down through your arse.I've just done 10 days solid of 200/300 mile days and I can honestly say I haven't had a single ache on my sports tourer.Although being 5'5" and 10.5 stone I'm not your "average" rider.

[wwdph02]

Agree with comfort being important, 5000 miles in two weeks across Europe, up to arctic circle on my R1200RS but I could just as easily have used the r1200R I took last time or my old R1200ST. Not being an off-roader I stick to main roads for my adventure, maybe a lane to a campsite and 20foot of grass fields, that's it.
Could have used a GS, they seem ok on test rides and I like the R1200 engine for relaxed touring. Would not need off-road or mixed tyres for that and road tyres on a GS?

[dodursley]

I have older models in each category 89 VFR750 & 03 varadero similar power output but different manner its produced.
The vara is an effortless big twin and the upright riding position means you can see further and over more vehicles. The ride is better over the poorer road surfaces BUT its big & heavy!
The VFR has seamless V4 power does not handle poor surfaces so well and I cannot see so far BUT it is/feels much lighter and as also effortless but in a different way to the vara.
Of course both are old enough to not have many of the essential? gizmos.
Neither is particularly good once you get more adventurous I use a Transalp for that which is not as good getting there but better once your there.
So are your requirements big adventure (1000+), sports tourer or intermediate (600-800s) adventure?

[Mike54]

I am concerned about all the electronics on modern bikes. My mates 1190S is currently stuck at a KTM dealer in Nancy, France because the bike didn't know what gear it was in and effectivley shut itself down. The dealer has no clue what it is so its being repatriated next week. He was given a hire car (a panda :laugh: )

I want to go to Iran and that will be on a bike without all these ECUs etc. I embrace the tech of course, but when it goes wrong you are pretty much stranded unless there is a competent dealer nearby