Mega Adventuer-Tourer Showdown Poll

[Rincewind]

Of these existing, new and upcoming Mega-Sized Adventure-Touring bikes, which do you think you'd buy and for what reasons?  This is not necessarily which one is "Best", or which one got the most awards, but which one trips your trigger.  

[Yankee Dog]

the new Trumpet 1200. plenty of power. plenty of amps for two sets of heated gear and extra lights. not outrageously priced. reliable. and a nearby dealer.

[JReazor]

The KTM. I don't have a logical reason for picking it. I just dig it.

[garry]

KTM for its (relative) off-road prowess.

[darkstarmoto]

I picked the TreK because it's sexy and I'm a sucker for something off the radar.

[Dan K]

Tre K,  I've ridden one and I like it a lot - great power delivery and handling.

Likely go for the Triumph, but having not thrown a leg over it, can't say I'd buy it.  KTM is too off roady for me, and the others, well, let's just say I lke the Tre K.

[black hills]

because it does everything second best, but it does everything:

[PatM]

I fell in love (lust??) with the Super Tenere at last year's moto show.  

[Clovis]

I'm really digging the super tenere. The triumph is a close second.

[schmii]

Tenere because I know a few people with them and they   it.

[R Doug]

I have to pick one?  I would buy several for different reasons.  But, if I had to chose one, I've already casted my vote with my own $$$ and I would do the same if I had to do it all over again.

I agree with Black Hills that this bike does nearly everything second best, but it does everything.  However; if you get a better seat for it along with some 17/19 wheels, this thing becomes an absolutely brilliant choice.  





Just FF to the 6:44 mark if you don't wish to see the entire video.  

[shawn and gwyn]

i just wish i could reach the ground on most of them.. .

shawn

[R Doug]

 

That's generally the biggest concern of most folks.  And, at first, it was an issue with me.  I'm only 5'8" with a 30" inseam (on a good day).  The trick is to realize that you only need to get one foot down.  Even on extreme off road situations, the Jimmy Lewis School I took last year taught me this one important thing.  That is, it doesn't take a lot to balance these bikes.  

[shawn and gwyn]

ya thats about my stats too. ..  being over 200 helps settle the bike a bit.. LOL.  and it was the only way i could ride the KLRs we used to have.  wife could flatfoot them.  we are thinking of getting an older tiger to replace them.  would be a little better two up and better on the hi ways.

shawn

[bubba zanetti]

If you actually are gonna go off road, you better take the KTM. Why? Suspension. If not, whichever looks nicerest to ya.

[bearcat263]

if money was not a problem the ktm 990 without a doubt would own it today  

[14kmtnman]

I chose the Triumph 1250, & would use it 99% of the time for on road only,  because I have a KLR 650 for doing off road. If I had to have just one bike it would be the KTM 990 Adventure.

[black hills]

I'm obviously partial to the KTM, but my thoughts:
if you ride off road at all the KTM wins hands down, its still a pig but with proper setup the suspension works suprisingly well.
  on road it is far more comfortable than I thought it would be (most likely not as nice as the others) I have found it to be far superior choice for touring than my CBR. while the CBR was fine, the KTM has better wind protection, better range, and offers more "wiggle room" to help with the little aches/pains that come with a long stretch of straight highway. Plus it is easy to stand up on, not only for off roading, but for a nice stretch after and hour of slabbing it without stopping.
  in the twisites it is no sportbike, but works far better than expected. you can easily pass the normal squid as long as there are no long straights. the tires are the limiting factor, but as mentioned before an extra set of wheels eliminate that problem. it is a long way over the top from full right lean to full left, you may not notice it as much on the standard as I have the R with taller suspension.
  as far as price you should be able to find left over '11's or even a '10 at a pretty good discount - $10-11,000???
  In the end I am far happier with it than I thought I would be, to the point that I rarely ride the CBR any more.........I have found it to be a blast to go straight to a destination insterad of following the pavement. just go in the general direction whether it be asphalt, gravel, fire road, or single track. nothing makes you giggle more than pulling off a trail onto vanocker canyon, passing a couple sportnbikes, pulling back onto a trail and passing a couple 4 wheelers
  and, if you are after attention I have found the 990 attract more gawkers and comments at a stop than any bike I have ever had

[Justin]

While the KTM 990 really moves me I went with the BMW GSA. As hard as I see myself "off-roading" the GSA would be plenty for me. Would be plenty for the more sedate dirt pass roads here in CO. It also seems way more comfy for long hauls. Shaft drive would be nice as well, so I can spend more time riding than cleaning, adjusting and lubing a chain

[black hills]

While the KTM 990 really moves me I went with the BMW GSA. As hard as I see myself "off-roading" the GSA would be plenty for me. Would be plenty for the more sedate dirt pass roads here in CO. It also seems way more comfy for long hauls. Shaft drive would be nice as well, so I can spend more time riding than cleaning, adjusting and lubing a chain

the GSA is nice and I have had a couple shaft drive bikes, I have never cleaned a chain, just lube when its dry and adjust if needed (a 3-5 min. job) and replace every once in a while (maybe 45 minutes total??). If you are not doing anything more than you would drive a car on the KTM is a waste. it needs to leave the ground every once in a while

[Justin]

the GSA is nice and I have had a couple shaft drive bikes, I have never cleaned a chain, just lube when its dry and adjust if needed (a 3-5 min. job) and replace every once in a while (maybe 45 minutes total??). If you are not doing anything more than you would drive a car on the KTM is a waste. it needs to leave the ground every once in a while

What is the chain life like on your KTM? And in a perfect world I would have the GSA and the 990 - but alas, I had to pick one

[black hills]

What is the chain life like on your KTM? And in a perfect world I would have the GSA and the 990 - but alas, I had to pick one

LOL... I know the feeling.. chain life seems to be OK, it only has 8000 on it so far but is still looking good? I'm thinking maybe 12,000?? I do spend the majority of my miles on the road so that probably helps. A typical ride is probably 100 miles of pavement, 50 miles of fire road and 10 miles of rough fire trail or single track?

[Rincewind]

After thinking this over I ended up voting for the Stelvio.  The KTM would win in an offroad race between these bikes, but that's not a big priority to me.  I would have voted Tiger 1050, but I've already owned one.  The new Tiger 1200 is a "bike of interest" but after sitting on one, it is a bit too large.  I test rode the Stelvio and it fit me very well, plus I like the simplicity and ease of maintenance.  

[diethornig]

I've got a BMW K1200LT but loved to buy BMW R1200GS for sport- touring.. I didn't have regrets buying K12, Just wanted to add R12 on the list...  

[expatbrit]

Already picked the 'strada. The SMT would have been in consideration, but the local KTM dealer is awfulawfulawful (also ruling out the 990 Adventure). After the massive issues I had with a 950SM, I was leery of that.

Triumph and Super Ten are heavier than I want, and, to be honest, it's not an off-roader for me. It's an upright sportbike. It's too expensive and too heavy for ME to want to take it off-roading anyway, so I went for the most road-biased of the bunch.

[Royal Tiger]

I rode the Multistrada 1200S already and it was nice.  I picked the aprilia as it looks to have potential.  I also like the BMW's.  I despise KTM so I will never own one of them.  The Moto Guzzi is interesting as well.

[black hills]

I rode the Multistrada 1200S already and it was nice.  I picked the aprilia as it looks to have potential.  I also like the BMW's.  I despise KTM so I will never own one of them.  The Moto Guzzi is interesting as well.

what's wrong with KTM   they haven't done anything stupid that I can think of?

[Royal Tiger]

what's wrong with KTM   they haven't done anything stupid that I can think of?

I should maybe temper "despise", but I know of too many people that have had issues with them, although not the 990 if I recall.  After what one of my friends went through with a RC8 I think I'd rather be sentenced to push a Suzuki for life over owning one of those.

[stealth1]

I went with the Super T though the KTM adv would make it a tough choice.
I've had good experience with Yamaha and the Tenere is supposedly bulletproof.
Nothing bad against KTM, I've just never had any personal experience with them.
My reason for buying this type of bike would be for highway and off-pavement riding, not real off-road riding.
There are a ton of cool unpaved roads in my area that are tough on a pure street bike.

[Nevada]

Tiger 1200.

Between the triple, and the name, I'm enchanted.  Truth though, my next bike is 90% likely to be a Tiger 800XC.  I'd rather have the lighter (and less expensive) bike.  (The F800GS used to be a contender as well).

The big ol' GS has that sturdy Tuetonic sense about it, but my feet just don't like boxers.  The KTM is reaaal tall (I have no dirt bike background), AND the one time I test road one (the 950), the fueling was so screwed up it was unrideable.  (yes, it was brand new.)  The Yammie doesn't do anything for me, the MS is too darned expensive (although I'd love to have one just for the technology if I had a 7 figure income), and the other Italians are too "impractical".

Now, if Aprilia made a RX4.5 and/or RX 5.5 as a "detuned" (for lower maintenance and higher reliability) adventure bike, I'd  have a tough choice between it and a Tigger.

In my quest for a lighter adventure bike, some folks would say "get a DP thumper", but I'd rather not get a thumper.  I'd rather not be micro-thumped for extended periods of time....

yet.

[Kneescrubber]

Anyone know why, or more rightly put, have opinions to why the BMW HP2 Enduro didn't catch on? I tried sitting on one on a dealer showroom floor and it was no way Jose. I could keep my right foot on the right peg while standing on my left foot.   But I absolutely love this bike. It's probably because I have a lot of seat time in the original R80G/S and I owned an '82 Honda XL500R for over 20 years. I rode an R11GS from Big Bend to Dallas on the pavement and while it was admittedly a blast to ride, I wouldn't want to take that beast on anything less than a gravel road. I can only imagine how much heavier the R12 is.  

[R Doug]

Anyone know why, or more rightly put, have opinions to why the BMW HP2 Enduro didn't catch on? I tried sitting on one on a dealer showroom floor and it was no way Jose. I could keep my right foot on the right peg while standing on my left foot.   But I absolutely love this bike. It's probably because I have a lot of seat time in the original R80G/S and I owned an '82 Honda XL500R for over 20 years. I rode an R11GS from Big Bend to Dallas on the pavement and while it was admittedly a blast to ride, I wouldn't want to take that beast on anything less than a gravel road. I can only imagine how much heavier the R12 is.  

Most likely it didn't catch on for the same reasons the 990 Enduro didn't.  Who wants an enduro that big with that much power?  It's like buying a drag bike for a road course.  When you buy the GS or the Adventure you get the ability to do so much more.

That said, it's a cool bike.  

[stevent]

Something of a moot point since I own a GS, that said if I needed to replace it I'd give the Triumph Explorer a serious look. I checked one out at the IMS and liked it and I've owned a couple of Hinkley Triumphs and had good luck with them.

The thing about the GS is that after setting it up to fit me with bar risers, adjustable pegs, a taller Cee Bailey screen and fitted Russel Day Long saddle the damn thing is about as close to perfect as I've ever found. I've thought about buying an R1200RT from time to time but the GS has more leg room and I have creaky knees, the older I get the more I value comfort so it's a tough call.  

[county]

I would like to write in the FJR....

[Cablebandit]

Well it will probably see just as much dirt as most of the bikes listed.

[county]

Well it will probably see just as much dirt as most of the bikes listed.

And it is MEGA

[Cablebandit]

Win - Win.

You've convinced me to change my vote.

[ScottysB12]

Boringly chose the Vstrom..I know I fit and I live nowhere near any of the "exotic" dealers  ...around here..anything NOT japanese or a iron  horse is exotic..and therefor no dealer support

[cubby]

I'm on my second Vstrom 1000.  Great all around bike and fits me at 6'3 with wife as passenger and luggage.  I can run with the real sport-tourers all day long.  But, the bike is boring.   I've had a Connie 14 and GS 1150.  More speed and character with these bikes.

I have test ridden the Multistrada 1200, Triumph Explorer, and Super Tenere within the last four weeks.  I would pick the Tenere based on price, and how it fits me.  I think adventure bikes are a personal preference.  The GS' have character and I would love to ride a Stelvio but no dealers around me have them.

The Explorer was super fast for an adventure bike with a sensitive throttle.  It will end up with about 10-15 hp shy of the Connie 14 at the wheel when finally dynoed.  

[KodiakRS]

I voted mts 1200.  It may have had something to do with just buying one though.