Enough of the complaining threads, lets have some fun evaluating some bikes
So first a definition. I used the words country tourer in the sense of a country ie NZ, not country/city. This doesn't mean it necessarily has to be a globetrotter either. Needs to be that mythical do-all bike plenty of us look for.
What features are important to you when comparing bikes, what breaks the deal for you, and taking that into account whats on your short list if you were shopping now?
S'pose I should start first. I'm 95%+ road, so the bike has to be good on road, doesn't have to be brilliant off-road, but capable, ie, on tracks bordering on 4wd only territory. The advantage of this is just heading down a road when it takes your fancy and seeing where you end up.
Touring for me is also long distances in short times, like TT2000, Grand Challenge etc, so big fat heavy tourers don't cut the mustard for me, as they are hard work in the tight stuff, and would struggle when trying to go off road. However, they do have the handy features like a big fuel tank.
So the perfect bike for me has:
- Excellent headlights, or something basic like H4, easily upgradeable, preferably two or more bulbs, good reflector housing
- Good fuel tank, ideally more than 25L, the more the better
- Reliable - goes without saying. If its going to break down, it will be in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere, so would prefer it doesn't break down. Service intervals of around 10k would be more useful than 6k.
- Flexible. Fast sealed roads or off road, go anywhere, any time.
- Standard tyre sizing (big bikes being 120-70-17 and 180-55-17). Wide range of choices and tyres should be available if needed in emergencies.
- Strong battery/alternator for powering equipment off like extra lighting, GPS and heated gear
- High quality suspension. Makes the world of difference when traversing the bumpy roads of NZ. Long travel usually has a big advantage over normal travel suspension.
- Even started thinking a shaft drive would be useful, no problems with chains wearing out
It should be mentioned that sure, you can ride any bike now and then, but I'm meaning consistent long distances, anything from zero degrees (or below) and right through to middle of summer. As I've been finding, it sure takes its toll on the bike.
This means my current list (in no order) is something like this:
Ducati Multistrada 1200 - bit expensive
BMW R1200GS/A - usually makes lists doesn't it? Big fuel tank on the GSA, bigger available, possibly too heavy tho
KTM 990 SM - of course it makes the list, but comparatively naked, tank not nearly big enough
ST1300/Concours 14 etc, the big tourers. Good on road, perhaps not at higher paces in tight stuff, and not so good for off road exploring...
What say you?
Originally Posted by Jane Omorogbe from UK MSN on the KTM990SM
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) were a lot of super scoots, Burgmans etc. I kept bumping into a group of German riders in Scotland, about 30 of them fanging round the Highlands with at least 7 superscoots merrily ridden in the pack by girlfriends, warm & dry in the Arctic like summer weather. 
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