its not really a dedicated touring bike is it? I believe the RT has higher 6th gear?
Apparently it isn't a rugged off road adventure bike either so WTF is it ?
its not really a dedicated touring bike is it? I believe the RT has higher 6th gear?
Apparently it isn't a rugged off road adventure bike either so WTF is it ?
Guys.
I know I'm going to get loads of stick for this post ,but its kind of how I feel;
I recently swapped my KTM 1190 for a New 2017 TE or is it a 2016.5 (I'm not sure) in March this year and whilst I was running it in , it was ok , but now it's time to let her go and to be honest it's a bit sluggish , it handles great and it's got all the right bits with it ( ESA etc.,) however recently my right leg/thigh area is getting hot, almost uncomfortable and the engine is very noisy at certain revs/speeds (this may be because I'd fitted a larger screen and his is amplifying the noise ,don't know).
I've never been a quick rider (in the sports bike sense) , but I do find the lack of go ,compared to the KTM a little annoying and I've actually been considering trading it for a New 1290 KTM (but I'd take a massive hit on depreciation).
Sorry for the ramblings above but I've now done circa 1700 miles and I just wonder if the bike will improve or is this as good as it gets ?
Any thoughts.
Cheers
Livo.
Can't say I have really noticed that - perhaps I don't get mine over 6000 rpm enough! However, I'm sure it wouldn't be as bad as the Honda 800 VTEC I once owned. That was pretty boring up to 6500 and then went completely bonkers.On a related theme but possibly taking this thread off topic, I find there are scenarios in which the power delivery of the GS is a little bit frustrating in the way it delivers it second kick at 6K, such as when doing a short overtake. I get past the offending vehicle (usually a Honda), start pulling inside, ready to position and have the speed constant for the upcoming bend, when I get the shove in the back.
I'm curious as to why the characteristics of the boxer mean that this power curve exists - I assume that otherwise BMW would have tried to make it more linear.
Can't say I have really noticed that - perhaps I don't get mine over 6000 rpm enough! However, I'm sure it wouldn't be as bad as the Honda 800 VTEC I once owned. That was pretty boring up to 6500 and then went completely bonkers.
I find the GS LC just fast enough to be fun, but not too fast to risk my licence too much....
Look forward to your thoughts after the Hill Top
That's what I like about the GS; you can give it the full beans, and it won't be doing prison speeds. It's plenty quick enough for most riders, and most situations.
In terms of 'speed' and power delivery, my thoughts are that to a certain extent you want to have a think about what sort of riding you do, what sort of roads you enjoy, and where you're likely to play.
Whilst of course, what ever you get is going to be a mode of transport that should take you where every you want, there is a good chance that you'll still favour a particular genre of riding.
Quite a few years ago I sort of left the very quick A roads behind. It was all getting quicker and quicker and I didn't want to loose my licence / job. But in those days, to cater for that sort of style of riding then yes, I'd be on K12's, Blackbirds, Gixxer thousands etc etc. Those bikes have huge smooth power trains. They're ideally suited to those long sweeping B500 roads where constant 120's, 130's are where the bike's in its perfect environment.
My playground is now very much the back B road scene where that the buzz of riding a bike quite quickly is not likely to see you loosing your licence. Would the K12's and Gixxer thousands play just as well on these back roads? Sure they'll do them, and they'll do them pretty well, but it's not their natural environment and they certainly won't do them as easily, and they won't be as much fun as something like ... errr ... say a KTM 990SMT or even a GS.
So there's a bit of horses for courses here.
The GS has a cracking power delivery for those more nadgery B roads. It's instant grunt, it's instant shut off and deceleration, and of course its telelever front end, make it very very good in that particular environment.
Put it on the B500 with the Gixxers and the K12's ? Then it's going to feel inadequate and hard work.
Do I want to retire and tour for months on end with my other half? I'd probably go and buy an RT .. Do I want to have a play thing for an hour or two at the most, down on the kent Marsh ? I'll get a 690 SMC. If my missus hangs up her touring bots and tells me I can be utterly selfish and get what i like 'cos she's out ..... umm .... 1290 GT ?
So Livo .... think about the environment that you mostly ride in, and choose a bike that will slot well into that environment. Comparing one style with another is like comparing a 5 series 330 estate with a modern Hot Hatch.
I bought a Triumph Street Scrambler - I'd convinced myself that 55 bhp was enough...it isn't. I traded it for a BMW Scrambler X - the 110 published BHP and stronger torque suits me better. It's my 5th Boxer - glad to be back after a little trip away!
To be fair to the BMW dealer they got me a good price which softened the blow - I decided it was better to get it over and done with.
In terms of 'speed' and power delivery, my thoughts are that to a certain extent you want to have a think about what sort of riding you do, what sort of roads you enjoy, and where you're likely to play.
Whilst of course, what ever you get is going to be a mode of transport that should take you where every you want, there is a good chance that you'll still favour a particular genre of riding.
Quite a few years ago I sort of left the very quick A roads behind. It was all getting quicker and quicker and I didn't want to loose my licence / job. But in those days, to cater for that sort of style of riding then yes, I'd be on K12's, Blackbirds, Gixxer thousands etc etc. Those bikes have huge smooth power trains. They're ideally suited to those long sweeping B500 roads where constant 120's, 130's are where the bike's in its perfect environment.
My playground is now very much the back B road scene where that the buzz of riding a bike quite quickly is not likely to see you loosing your licence. Would the K12's and Gixxer thousands play just as well on these back roads? Sure they'll do them, and they'll do them pretty well, but it's not their natural environment and they certainly won't do them as easily, and they won't be as much fun as something like ... errr ... say a KTM 990SMT or even a GS.
So there's a bit of horses for courses here.
The GS has a cracking power delivery for those more nadgery B roads. It's instant grunt, it's instant shut off and deceleration, and of course its telelever front end, make it very very good in that particular environment.
Put it on the B500 with the Gixxers and the K12's ? Then it's going to feel inadequate and hard work.
Do I want to retire and tour for months on end with my other half? I'd probably go and buy an RT .. Do I want to have a play thing for an hour or two at the most, down on the kent Marsh ? I'll get a 690 SMC. If my missus hangs up her touring bots and tells me I can be utterly selfish and get what i like 'cos she's out ..... umm .... 1290 GT ?
So Livo .... think about the environment that you mostly ride in, and choose a bike that will slot well into that environment. Comparing one style with another is like comparing a 5 series 330 estate with a modern Hot Hatch.