OzSTOC
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Down Under on December 18, 2011, 06:54:23 PM
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I have to confess my sins!
I was tempted to go across to the adventure bike side. I may have been brain washed by the evil exploits of Charley and Ewan carving up the globe on their GSA's, I'm not sure but I nearly sold my ST!
After spending some time aboard the Super Tenere, both the R1200GS & GSA and even a Triumph Tiger 800 they just didn't seem to meet my expectations. Primarily I was looking for something with longer suspension travel that could cope better than my ST on rough roads. I was after a bike that could carry a pillion and load comfortably over LD's with the extra advantage of exploring the odd bit of dirt.
As I had my bike detailed for sale I parked it up for about 6 weeks whilst I went looking for a dual sport machine. It wasn't until I got back on my ST that I suddenly realised just how smooth that V4 is....bloody glorious! Great weather protection, slick gear box, plenty of room for my pillion and her luggage.....what the hell was I thinking! The dirt roads can wait for now. I might put that top end rear shock in her and keep the old girl for another couple of years! :thumbs
Cheers,
Tony
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here here :hatwave
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Hmm..I have not tried any of those dual sports, but I was thinking they should be better on rough roads. That would be the only reason I would look at something else. Looks like I should try a few first rather than assume they are better...
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Good onya Tony! It might not have been next week, but there would definitely have come a time when you would have wept for your other true love to come back! :'(
Seems like your all cured for now at least - now go ride! :thumbsup
I was saying today at the OzSTOC Christmas Party on Bribie, that I couldn't imagine what bike I'd swap the 13 for as it is the WHOLE PACKAGE!
It isn't the fastest or the lightest, but it encompasses the WHOLE riding experience just beautifully - especially Sport Touring!
Well done that man! :thumb
Cheers, Diesel
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Hmm..I have not tried any of those dual sports, but I was thinking they should be better on rough roads. That would be the only reason I would look at something else. Looks like I should try a few first rather than assume they are better...
Yep....compared to the ST1300 I was expecting a large improvement in ride quality. BMW with their ESA system was ahead of the ST ....very plush ride but for around $32 - $33K for a fully optioned R1200GSA I just couldn't see the value. The Super Tenere, which I was very interested in, rode like a sports bike. I noticed that the dealer had softened the front and rear end with everything adjusted out to the maximum. It handled well but the ride was harsh on rough roads. I also liked the Tiger, really nice bike and would be heaps of fun one up but it's really just too small for a serious 2 up bike.....I just took it for a ride to see if I could get a feel for what the new Triumph Explorer 1200 might be like.
I know that comparing a touring bike to a dual sport is like comparing apples to oranges but the exercise gave me a whole new appreciation for my ST. For LD duties that super smooth V4, protective fairing, 29 litre tank and roomy pillion perch is hard to beat! I haven't said die regarding the big adventure bikes as I think they have a lot of merit for Aussie conditions but there just isn't anything out there at the moment that could seduce me away from my tourer.......except maybe a Triumph Explorer or Honda Cross Tourer :grin
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Honda's got that Crossrunner thingo. V4 800 with a bit more suspension for "graded dirt roads"
Found a review at
http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/Honda/2012_VFR800X_Crossrunner/Crossrunner_Review.htm
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Honda's got that Crossrunner thingo. V4 800 with a bit more suspension for "graded dirt roads"
Found a review at
[url]http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/Honda/2012_VFR800X_Crossrunner/Crossrunner_Review.htm[/url]
Have a look at the Crossrunner's big brother. Has potential!
http://www.mcnews.com.au/2012_Bikes/Honda/CrossTourer/Honda_CrossTourer_Intro.htm
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I found the easiest way was to do both, so I also have a Suzuki DR650. http://ozstoc.com/Smileys/default/hat1.gif
They're not quite a BMW 1200, but you can buy them cheap, ($3 -$5k will buy a good one) and they're more practical than all the bigger Dual Sports bikes when the going gets really tough. They do require a few mods, (bigger tank, better seat and some suspension work), but they are pretty much bullet proof. There's literally hundreds of aftermarket parts available for them, (see www.procycle.com). It's also very easy to change the gearing to suit the ride. 1200cc's are good for Bitumen and Dirt Roads, but a real handful, (and a bit too pretty), for genuine trail riding.
I love my ST, but it's good to have the option to get into the dirt too. This way you get, (almost), the best of both worlds, without having to sacrifice your ST. It's worth a thought and it works for me.