Stupid Temptation

**Gremlin** · 19th August 2013, 01:44

I seem to always get a bike itch, the GSA is the longest I've actually ever owned a bike. Previous was the KTM 990SM at 27.5 months. I've owned the GSA for 31 months. For the last few months I've been wondering... what if?

Last year I did a lot more adventure riding, which certainly paid off in handling skills (ie, I don't drop the bike as much), but this year, with the boss on long leave and more focussed on IAM stuff (passed the full membership test earlier this year, and now continuing on to be a Trainee Observer) I find myself doing much less adv stuff and a lot more road stuff. Couple that with increasing escort/marshalling riding with charity rides and cycling events and adv riding is even further away. I still like having the potential to do that stuff, but wonder if I need it. Last adv riding was my annual trip to the South Island in Feb/Mar. Being able to explore any road is really neat.

I find myself wondering if a sports tourer would be more suited, and once again feel the lure of more power. Commonsense tells me I'd just get into more trouble (which I really can't afford)... but... mmm that power.

Doesn't help one of the IAM guys rides a K1300R, which really grabs me like a little school boy. I had the same debate back when looking to replace the KTM. ST1300, Concours 14, R1200RT. Would I like it more? Rule out Yamaha (don't know a good dealer), Triumph (all things Beckhaus are never to be considered in NZ) and minor brands. Loving the work of Botany Honda, but the ST1300 is long in the tooth and a bit boring with not a lot of punch and odd ball tyre sizes. VFR1200R tank is too small - been spoilt by a 36-38L capacity, so anything is a step down, but it's gotta be mid 20s me thinks, to survive.

I consider the Concours, what an engine, straight from the ZX14. But lack of cruise control spoils it. Apparently the revised screen isn't the best... the little things are letting it down, even though the '10+ is much improved over old. The R1200RT is one of the lightest available and excellent balance at low speed, the police use it, good police crash bars, maybe a few extra lights, possibly a custom spec from factory to get the authority edition transmission and oil cooler kit for low speed work.

Yes, I could see it working...

But then there's the guys in the US that switch from an RT to a GSA (sure, some go the other way), as it's a better all round touring platform. Better for big guys too. Big fuel capacity, ooh, and if I wanted it, I could do gravel and other adv riding, if I wanted... would save a bike change if I had an RT or C14... The GSA also sports the lower transmission and has plenty of practical space.

Oh fuck it.

I've gone around in this stupid cycle 3 times this year... I think I've found the perfect bike?

**nzspokes** · 19th August 2013, 06:43

Dont the Rts overheat a bit?

**insomnia01** · 19th August 2013, 07:32

Was out numbered big time on the SCRR this year by BMW ( over 50% ) attendance, ST's @ 1/2 doz the guys where chewing up the gravel ( EC lighthouse ) roads good road handling to boot

**Hitcher** · 19th August 2013, 09:10

BMW styling and looks, build quality, reliability and cost are the four things that would put me off owning one.

I know an Upper Hutt rider desperately in love with a sky-hooked MTS...

**Gremlin** · 19th August 2013, 14:21

Originally Posted by insomnia01

ST's @ 1/2 doz the guys where chewing up the gravel ( EC lighthouse ) roads good road handling to boot

KoroJ tried out some fording with the ST... after almost busting a hernia getting it back upright, I don't think he's keen to try again. Btw, I've ridden a Blackbird... makes power with no effort... only speeding ticket I've ever had... nasty bike.

Originally Posted by Hitcher

BMW styling and looks, build quality, reliability and cost are the four things that would put me off owning one.

I know an Upper Hutt rider desperately in love with a sky-hooked MTS...

Looks are always subjective. I don't like the GS, but I do like the GSA... I dunno. Build quality/reliability, I've had less issues with the BMW, and pushed it far harder than the KTM. Still, I've had issues. I reckon that too many load the crap out of them, then bounce down rough roads and wonder why it breaks. I suspect lesser bikes would simply break sooner. Cost... uh, no contest. Again cheaper than the KTM, but no, they're no japper. Servicing every 10k is handy when doing longer trips.

Boss is currently riding his MTS in Europe, guess I'll have a spin when it comes back here later this year or early next. Toto and I both went into Haldanes, when they were the Duc dealers, separately, and asked them about the MTS. We wanted crash bars and protection, they wanted us to have carbon fibre bits...

Two different purposes. Btw, hankered for your Z1000, but never ridden one... small tank means I don't see much point in testing one. Excellent value for money, but the newer one is ugly...

**Gremlin** · 19th August 2013, 14:23

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Dont the Rts overheat a bit?

That story will go worldwide (has sort of already). Only one or two other BMWs I know of, that have burnt down. When you consider how many authority edition of the RT are out there in service, it's a lot of bikes with very few issues...

**Hitcher** · 19th August 2013, 15:22

Originally Posted by Gremlin

hankered for your Z1000, but never ridden one... small tank means I don't see much point in testing one. Excellent value for money, but the newer one is ugly...

The newer model Z is indeed ugly, and its tank is 3 litres smaller than what's on mine too. Hitting fumes at less than 300km isn't quite what I look for in a bike, so the latest Z isn't on my to-buy list. I often wonder what purpose motorcycle designers think people use their machines for. Going for longish rides clearly isn't what's intended.

I'm a bit like you when it comes to deciding what's next. Money no object and Triumph NZ issues notwithstanding, I'm seriously smitten with the new Caponord. I suspect that this will be in the MTS pricing band whenever it arrives and I don't think that the Beckhauses will contract out of the manufacturer's warranty for a significant price discount. By then my business may be making serious amounts of coin and I may be able to broaden my price point. Or not.

**Blackbird** · 19th August 2013, 16:09

Alan,
I'm simply writing to express my profound jealousy at the way you change bikes like I change clothes - clearly no thumbprint on your forehead (but there are compensations

)Yeah, Andy's 1300 is a beast and Rog's 1200 s is pretty nice too. Got time to change bikes before your Observer training?

Ignoring whatever shortcomings the Beckhaus empire have, I have nothing but praise for Hamilton Motorcycle Centre where I bought my Triumph from. Their customer service is beyond reproach and they sorted out my 2 warranty issues with no problem whatsoever.

**Gremlin** · 19th August 2013, 16:10

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I often wonder what purpose motorcycle designers think people use their machines for. Going for longish rides clearly isn't what's intended.

Seriously cross country travel... yep, not many bikes. Most expect you to ride for 50-100km then have a break. May as well fill with gas at the same time. On the other side though, you need to design a bike for such a big tank. It will also affect handling. The GSA with a full tank is 35kg heavier than an empty tank. You can feel the suspension response changing from full to empty. Bit soft full, bit harsh empty. Sweet spot somewhere in the middle. And back to range, manufacturers think that if they make it more economical, they can decrease the tank volume

I guess in Europe/North America/Asia gas stations are in plentiful supply.

Originally Posted by Hitcher

I'm a bit like you when it comes to deciding what's next. Money no object and Triumph NZ issues notwithstanding, I'm seriously smitten with the new Caponord.

Sexy looking bike... Definitely an MTS competitor to a point, runs on normal street tyres, but a better tank range. Aprilia definitely know how to make a nice motor. Other option in that category would probably be a Tiger Sport. Money no object I'd need a very large garage to house all the bikes I want

Oh, even the F800GS Adventure could be tempting, but more on the adventure end, and not nearly as good for 2up marshalling stuff... the 1200GSA really is pretty handy at so many things.

**Maha** · 19th August 2013, 16:32

Yip and wound on, it sounds like an Air force Andover ...

Yet to see Rogers K1300 in the flesh, I love those things also. It's a hard road finding the perfect bike... even when you think you have, over time that first thought can change. Seems like you have smashed the dilemma that a lot of us face.

**Gremlin** · 19th August 2013, 17:40

Originally Posted by Maha

Yip and wound on, it sounds like an Air force Andover ...

Yet to see Rogers K1300 in the flesh, I love those things also. It's a hard road finding the perfect bike... even when you think you have, over time that first thought can change. Seems like you have smashed the dilemma that a lot of us face.

Thought changes normally because your needs change. Also, having a certain bike can change your viewpoint, or lift your standards of what you'll expect from other bikes (or lower your standard

) The K1300 sounds really good when it has the quickshift, where it handles the ignition cut and you only have to change the gear. A short bup like a loud backfire... sounds gorgeous when accelerating hard through the gears

.

Definitely a hard road finding the perfect bike... as long as it's filled with a few fords I don't mind

The GSA isn't perfect, but it's closer than anything else I've found.