Super Tenere 1200

[_Shrek_]

to each their own

you missed the point mate, the dude was knocking some thing he has probably not even taken out!!! & as you said each to their own

[NZsarge]

if you like them and are intending to buy one then more power to you but you are comparing it to one of the heaviest adv bikes ever made. Its seems (massive generalization here) that once you get to 200kg and over most adv riders start to become uncomfortable on the gnarlier tracks that are often the ultimate destination of the rides we go on.

For nz conditions - for those of us (of average skill) who like to regularly do tracks like the 42nd, whanga rd, porika, big river, etc it seems that the 150-180kg range is where we prefer our bikes to be.

to each their own

If your hoping for a 150-180 kg 1200cc adventure bike then stop, because it's highly highly unlikely, best resign yourself to riding a 650 if you want to play in that weight range. Horses for courses and all that, it's just the way it is. The monster adventure bikes have a different design brief to the smaller 600-650cc ones.

[BMWST?]

If your hoping for a 150-180 kg 1200cc adventure bike then stop, because it's highly highly unlikely, best resign yourself to riding a 650 if you want to play in that weight range. Horses for courses and all that, it's just the way it is. The monster adventure bikes have a different design brief to the smaller 600-650cc ones.

they are sport tourers in disguise

[NordieBoy]

If your hoping for a 150-180 kg 1200cc adventure bike then stop, because it's highly highly unlikely, best resign yourself to riding a 650 if you want to play in that weight range. Horses for courses and all that, it's just the way it is. The monster adventure bikes have a different design brief to the smaller 600-650cc ones.

A KTM640A with a Ninja 600 twin

[NZsarge]

they are sport tourers in disguise

Yeah, you're onto it I reckon, like a GT/FJR/Concours that can take metal roads and the odd trail in their stride, that's what most of them will be used for and for they'll be brilliant at that. If "off" off road is your bag then 1200cc bikes is'nt the place too look really.

[Gremlin]

Yeah, you're onto it I reckon, like a GT/FJR/Concours that can take metal roads and the odd trail in their stride, that's what most of them will be used for and for they'll be brilliant at that.

It's a reasonably important category to me. Still in my twenties, I don't want an ST etc as I'm a couple of decades too young and they are too heavy. Don't want a sportsbike as it's going to lose my license, can't handle gravel properly etc. A lot of naked sports tourers aren't practical enough either, givi luggage.

KTM 990 SM is good, but sometimes I wonder if it's tough enough for the rougher stuff, but it is brilliant in the corners. The GS et al, I wonder if they are good enough in the tight stuff, or will their weight and size count against them... Going to have to test ride at some point.

[marks]

If your hoping for a 150-180 kg 1200cc adventure bike then stop, because it's highly highly unlikely, best resign yourself to riding a 650 if you want to play in that weight range. Horses for courses and all that, it's just the way it is. The monster adventure bikes have a different design brief to the smaller 600-650cc ones.

unless you ride 2 up no one needs a 1200 adv bike ('want ' is a totally different thing

I'd be really happy with a 675/800 triple proper adv bike that weighed 180kg
- sort of like a gs800 but with character

I live in hope

they are sport tourers in disguise

what he said

[BMWST?]

. The GS et al, I wonder if they are good enough in the tight stuff, or will their weight and size count against them... Going to have to test ride at some point.

a 1200 gs is f all heavier than your bike and nearly as powerful(if not more).I would have bougt a fjr or vfr or k or r series BMW road bike if i didnt have a hankerin to ride gravel roads whenever i find them.The so called adv bikes are also big bikes which to me is good cos i am 6 foot3.I also dont want a 165 hp missile.For me at the mo my ol gs is just fine although at times i wish it were at bit more modern

[NZsarge]

unless you ride 2 up no one needs a 1200 adv bike ('want ' is a totally different thing
If you want to look at it that way, none of us really need a bike full stop but we want to ride bike and we want to ride what we like, need does'nt come into it really.
I'd be really happy with a 675/800 triple proper adv bike that weighed 180kg
- sort of like a gs800 but with character

I live in hope

Heard rumours, you might just get your wish re: 675 adventure bike.

[Gremlin]

paper weights are only part of the equation. SM is about 190kg dry, but it was a common comment among reviewers that they wondered where 50kg went. Very well sorted, also narrow, being a fore and aft vtwin

[BMWST?]

a lot of people are overawed by how big the GS is

[Gremlin]

a lot of people are overawed by how big the GS is

Who wouldn't be... mate has one, I'm 6'3 and I don't think I could flat foot it when on the centre stand. At least I could probably back it up while straddling... my mate struggles

With that engine layout the bike is comfortably half the width of a car, don't even need luggage to bulk it up. I see it as a brilliant globe trotter, long distance bike etc, especially with the 33L tank, the problem is, besides build up rides, I'd do a total of 3 rides a year (Grand Challenge, SCRR, TT2000), the rest being more "normal" riding. Having a bike like that and going on a shop ride of 200km seems a bit... overkill.

Things I really like, big fuel tank, big alternator for accessories, even big enough to be comfortable with pillion etc. The issue, tenere, GS, etc, is size. How do they handle at that size. Can you still flick them through corners like a big motard? My SM, even fully laden with luggage, can still motor through corners, flick from side to side etc.

[Gremlin]

Ok, now I've watched the videos. I don't even ride my bike that hard, yet I have problems with breaking stuff...

Either stick some panniers and top box, see how she goes for a 1000km a day etc, or gimme, and I'll show you how to break it. Shouldn't even need a year

[BMWST?]

Who wouldn't be... mate has one, I'm 6'3 and I don't think I could flat foot it when on the centre stand. At least I could probably back it up while straddling... my mate struggles

With that engine layout the bike is comfortably half the width of a car, don't even need luggage to bulk it up. I see it as a brilliant globe trotter, long distance bike etc, especially with the 33L tank, the problem is, besides build up rides, I'd do a total of 3 rides a year (Grand Challenge, SCRR, TT2000), the rest being more "normal" riding. Having a bike like that and going on a shop ride of 200km seems a bit... overkill.

Things I really like, big fuel tank, big alternator for accessories, even big enough to be comfortable with pillion etc. The issue, tenere, GS, etc, is size. How do they handle at that size. Can you still flick them through corners like a big motard? My SM, even fully laden with luggage, can still motor through corners, flick from side to side etc.

You still are talking of how they LOOK.Take one for a ride and see how they FEEL.At 6 3 you should have no trouble flicking them around

[warewolf]

Who wouldn't be... mate has one, I'm 6'3 and I don't think I could flat foot it when on the centre stand.

Why on earth would you want to, or care about, flat-footing it while it's on the stand??? I'm 5'7" and my pointed toes miss the ground on my 640A by a long way. I only know this because I had to go and see for myself after someone else mentioned this bizarre behaviour. Can't see how it would ever help me ride the bike any.

I see it as a brilliant globe trotter, long distance bike etc, especially with the 33L tank, the problem is, besides build up rides, I'd do a total of 3 rides a year (Grand Challenge, SCRR, TT2000)

You don't need a bike like that for those rides, just want. I've done several GC's on the 640A.

The issue, tenere, GS, etc, is size. How do they handle at that size. Can you still flick them through corners like a big motard? My SM, even fully laden with luggage, can still motor through corners, flick from side to side etc.

Not the same, but different and no less enjoyable. On a bumpy gravelly corner a big adv bike rider is probably going to be cracking the throttle with a big grin, while your arse cheeks are sucking the vinyl off the seat pan and punching out chocolate buttons. And we know how many bumpy (sealed) roads there are in this fine land, eh?!

On a different note; my fear with the new Triumph bikes is that they will be heavy, and/or have crappy suspension. Have no doubt that they will be another road bike with wide bars and longer travel suspension.