Blog Comments

whats the issue with removing the tank???

The truck of motorcycles, nice. I call my R80 'the behemoth'.

Nice machine.

Nice, very nice.

How do you do that with your teeth? Mine are inside a helmet, usually behind a balaclava, and I can't leave my helmet off, as I can't get it on with the rain-offs on?

ah... that makes more sense .... uh, also replied in the other.

Yeah, I carry a couple all the time. Useful to either tie stuff to the back seat (I carry odd objects from time to time), or even help someone else out. They could even be used as tow ropes or something like that, when needed. Sling them through a wheel, give each side to a person, and you can pick a bike up off the ground.

When going between islands I have another set of 3 tie downs. Two have hooks on one end and karabiners on the other (for the front) and a dual karabiner for hooking through the rear tyre.

My comment on your next blog post, regarding tie-downs was intended for this blog post

Interesting point about the tie downs. I assume you always carry them for any eventuality? I had never considered taking any with me unless I was doing a ferry crossing or something. I might just get another set to throw in the bags.

Thanks for your posts.

Feck'n bloody mad.

On the plus side, this is good news since when we get around to riding the arctic circle, he should be very competent on this german behemoth tank - invading the european neighbours in the same destructive way only Gremlin can do!

Have to say, when I got a chance to ride Katie, if I had the pingers - I would have been sorely tempted to buy it!

there is always a bitch pad on my bike with your name on it buddy, just in case

O
M
G

Originally Posted by BMWST?

Would a big tank for 950 superenduro fit the sm???

Well, I know the seat from a 950 sm doesn't fit the 990 sm, and the adventure tank doesn't fit, and from a quick talk, the se tank wouldn't fit.

so probably not

i think the superten sounds like a great bike but has "ONLY" a 24 l tank.Would a big tank for 950 superenduro fit the sm???

Originally Posted by Squiggles

What do ya think of the Super Tenere? Looks to be somewhere between the ktm and the beemer but perhaps a bit more cost effective? I always thought the r1200gsa would be the best but the more I looked into it the more perculiarities and horror stories became apparent

I don't know the ins and outs of the Tenere, but its to be compared to the R1200GS, not the GSA. As I said before, I wouldn't buy the GS, as its too similar to the KTM, which is already a great bike. I would also consider the new Multistrada, but again, only a 20L tank. If I could get a larger fuel tank for it, I think it would be my number one choice, as its more road biased and runs normal street rim sizes. Anything with a fuel tank below 25L is not even going to be considered, for me. As it is, with mods to the KTM, with both fuel tanks, it holds 30L, which I've got used to.

If I was shopping between GS and Tenere, at least the BMW is a known quantity, with the Tenere being a bit new. Both shaft drive, so low maintenance, but as always, its about the riding you will do. The GS has got more options available, things like ESA, tyre pressure monitoring (it tells you the actual pressure of each tyre) etc etc. More stuff to go wrong, but seeing that stuff on the fly may be wanted? The BMW's seem to be pot luck. You either get a great one, with bullet proof reliability, or you have no end of horrors. For this reason, I would look at a 2nd hand one for a better idea. However, I have a reputation of breaking things (and no-one else has ever had problems yada yada), so if I presume I will break something, I'd rather have the two year warranty from new, as then I don't get the bill. One thing appears for certain, is that when something DOES go wrong, its going to cost heaps to fix.

Add on parts, the options are far greater on the GSA, than the Tenere, with plenty of advice and tips, companies making various parts etc, which makes certain stuff very easy.

Originally Posted by Gremlin

long response

What do ya think of the Super Tenere? Looks to be somewhere between the ktm and the beemer but perhaps a bit more cost effective? I always thought the r1200gsa would be the best but the more I looked into it the more perculiarities and horror stories became apparent A would you trade your GS for a S10 thread Can't wait for some longer term reviews to surface.

Re: reserve. You kind of forget about the concept of reserve. I've found the range to empty selection on the computer to be very accurate. I ignore the fuel warning entirely and rely on the range.

Great read, I always enjoy your blogs and informed comments. Keep us updated on how you get on as I am very interested.

mmm, good point re fuel consumption... no idea how to reset. Bike had done a total of low 2000km.

Squiggles:
I haven't swapped yet, but I am definitely trying to sort it. Experience won't trade the KTM as they are trying to clear the floor for 2011 models. Mount Motorcycles will trade (and they have a R1200GSA demo) but have offered 4 figures as a trade value, unseen. Speaking to salesmen, mates etc, its probably worth $12k (high mileage has taken a toll value wise) as a good buy, but of course, its what someone else will buy it for. Even the demo R1200GSA is $35.5k, so its an expensive swap.

Reasons for changing are:
- Ride in late February called the TT2000 in the South Island. I'm going to try for the basic route (2000km) plus all add-ons (approx 1300km) in the time that most will do the basic 2000km. This means up to 3300km in 40 hours, so the gear has to be right up there in performance. As the KTM currently stands, I would need the seat custom done, as even the SMT seat I got can't manage 40 hours (well - not many seats are designed to anyway), and a custom fuel tank, as even the extra 11L isn't enough for the night time between Queenstown and the east coast (no gas between them for the whole night). ie, more money to be spent, still not going to be perfect. I figure that at this point, I may as well start with a better base (and even the GSA will be altered in some ways). The only downside is that besides the big rides like TT2000, Grand Challenge etc, its going to be a massive overkill of a bike for fun rides to Kaiaua. It will be capable of 3 and a bit rides to Kaiaua and back, without a fuel stop...
- The KTM has a max output of 450W at 6000rpm, and I don't even ride it that high in the revs. It can handle what I currently have, but not much more (I've asked the shop the load figures for a base model, but its not the kind of figures KTM knows, or expects people to ask). The BMW, at 720W, will allow for all current accessories, no problem, and extra lights. It comes with extra driving lights, I'll upgrade the low and high beam and also fit fog lamps as well.
- The KTM sports a 19L fuel tank standard, which gets it further than sports bikes, but I laugh at KTM's marketing saying its for touring. It will do about 250, maybe a bit more excluding reserve, which I don't call touring. The BMW is better on gas and has about 29L before reserve. This means I don't need an extra tank (which I've used on the KTM), which means 2 to fill and extra complexity (aka, more to go wrong). Devil reckons he has done 600km or more? (a bit into reserve tho) 2up and with luggage. I've gone worldwide asking for a larger tank on the SM, nothing exists, only for the 990 Adventure, which is too dirt biased. 95% of my riding is probably road, but I do enjoy exploring forests, hence why a full dressed tourer is not an option.

Don't get me wrong, the KTM is a great bike, but my riding has morphed massively since having a sportsbike, and the KTM is no longer the best option for such long distances in short times. I do worry about handling on the BMW, as the KTM is brilliant, which makes the long distances in short times easy... but useless if you have run out of gas.

Why the swap? (Couldnt see a blog post on it). Have you run out of power with your accessories on the 990? Or is the main reason fuel range?