MCN Adventure bike test

[george formby]

Or, pigs in a poke.

Heavy metal (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/videos/2012/June/jun1112-video-extreme-adventure-test-part-one/)

[Ocean1]

Off road eh?

Suppose it's one way to ride adventurously. Or at least work the word into a discussion about your weekend...

[george formby]

Off road eh?

Suppose it's one way to ride adventurously. Or at least work the word into a discussion about your weekend...

Don't be too harsh. After foot & mouth, land access in the UK is very difficult. Nice to see summer is still consistent, though.
I don't think the four manufacturers had Welsh green laning in mind at the design stage either, well 3 of them obviously. T'is funny that the UK & Germany are the biggest markets for these bikes, both countries have a choice of tarmac or mud. Mud not being the bikes forte me thinks.

[Night Falcon]

These guys do good videos and I love good motorcyle video. As far as testing the bikes though, you could likely write the conclusions before they even set off, so not much of a test. Besides, managing those beasties off road is as much about the riders skill level as the bikes handling. So apart from entertainment value theres not much scientific value in the test....but didn't the 990 look sweet :corn:

[george formby]

These guys do good videos and I love good motorcyle video. As far as testing the bikes though, you could likely write the conclusions before they even set off, so not much of a test. Besides, managing those beasties off road is as much about the riders skill level as the bikes handling. So apart from entertainment value theres not much scientific value in the test....but didn't the 990 look sweet :corn:

Yup, KTM doing what it says on the packet. Would love to get the full story on the Tenere debacle..

[Gremlin]

Yup, KTM doing what it says on the packet. Would love to get the full story on the Tenere debacle..
Been some discussion on advrider: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=798974

Apparently some stuff hangs down, that can get taken out, and a skid plate is highly recommended...

[Night Falcon]

Been some discussion on advrider: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=798974

Apparently some stuff hangs down, that can get taken out, and a skid plate is highly recommended...

I have a pet hate for manfacturers who sell their "adventure" bikes with no sump or hand/lever protection and fitted with road tires. Sure you can buy most of this gear as accessories but its those added bits that make it an adventure bike....they should market them as "almost adventure" bikes :angry:

Rant over...now back to your regular viewing :sunny:

[george formby]

I have a pet hate for manfacturers who sell their "adventure" bikes with no sump or hand/lever protection and fitted with road tires. Sure you can buy most of this gear as accessories but its those added bits that make it an adventure bike....they should market them as "almost adventure" bikes :angry:

Rant over...now back to your regular viewing :sunny:

Somebody here recently classed them as "adventure tourers". Spot on IMHO.

[young1]

Good to see that they were controlling the spread of oil in the environment NOT

Part two to come, but only one bike left still going?

[Crim]

Somebody here recently classed them as "adventure tourers". Spot on IMHO.

Agree - even Triumph are calling it that, from their latest gumpff out of Oz

"Get down to your local Triumph dealer and checkout this amazing Adventure Tourer."

[Night Falcon]

Part 2 is out with the obvious results...poor old Beamer died though. 4 bikes start 2 bikes finish

Spot the Kiwi Design



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak6-l4QON0I&feature=player_embedded

[george formby]

Good man, thanks for putting that up. Broke Skunk Anansie's drummers bike eh? Shame, I think the Tenere would have been #2 with oil in it.

[paturoa]

Good man, thanks for putting that up. Broke Skunk Anansie's drummers bike eh? Shame, I think the Tenere would have been #2 with oil in it.

I was surprised some time back with the super Tenere's weight. It is about 5kgs heavier than an Adv GS (which lets be honest is crazy heavy). So with a 19 inch front wheel and shaft drive as well it would have still be a close race for 2nd off the tarmac.

[george formby]

I was surprised some time back with the super Tenere's weight. It is about 5kgs heavier than an Adv GS (which lets be honest is crazy heavy). So with a 19 inch front wheel and shaft drive as well it would have still be a close race for 2nd off the tarmac.

I'm really just speculating from some of the vids I have seen from adventure riders & stunters. They make the bike look very capable.

[paturoa]

Yeah, I've got to agree with that. I don't recall seeing any stunting on a Beemer Adv, unless stunting includes dropping them.

[Gremlin]

I was surprised some time back with the super Tenere's weight. It is about 5kgs heavier than an Adv GS (which lets be honest is crazy heavy). So with a 19 inch front wheel and shaft drive as well it would have still be a close race for 2nd off the tarmac.
Bear in mind the GS Adv is carrying up to 50% more fuel in the wet weight figures and it's still lighter. What counts against the GSA for most is it's physical size and why the GS sells far better.

I'm not really surprised by the outcome and it's in line with my thoughts... however essentially trying to destroy bikes I see as stupid, as how can you review a bike based on "Oh, we think it would be good in blah blah". Seriously, they're not dirt / mx bikes. Try riding one of those for 1000km days! Horses for courses.

The KTM is the most dirt biased... well yeah. One look at tyre sizes show you where things are angled. While the rest run 19" fronts and 17" rears the KTM has a 21" front and 18" rear. Much better in the rough stuff but can penalise you on the road. Road tyre options also more restricted and KTM isn't particularly comfortable, nor fuel economical. Wind protection isn't great. But then it's an adventure test, not road test.

The Triumph road biased... yep, I'd put it with the Honda Crosstourer as all roads tourers, the emphasis being on roads. The Tenere and GSA are more off road capable, but still big heavy bikes. The Tenere is particularly heavy compared to the GSA bearing in mind the extra fuel. Given the very different budgets for those bikes I don't think there will be a lot of people putting them side by side...

[NordieBoy]

Not an 1150 or 1200 but...

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/btRvVLA0KzM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Gremlin]

Not an 1150 or 1200 but...
Not only do I feel very sorry for that poor F800, but perhaps not the best promo for showing how secure their luggage is? Or perhaps it's a complicated process? :rolleyes:

I wonder if he was able to turn off traction control and abs? :lol:

[Shewolf]

wtf he even crashes with style

[george formby]

Not an 1150 or 1200 but...




I lurve that vid. I think the issue with the top box flying open was due to the latch being ground off during a wheelie.:eek: