Finding an ADV bike

"KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs" (kusabisensei)
08/10/2017 at 21:27 • Filed to: None

Today I test rode four bikes at the local BMW/Triumph emporium after work. I wanted to test a fifth, but ran out of time. Then I started looking at ride test reports. The results were shocking: They were all the best bikes ever! That can’t be right.

So I’m donning my flameproof motorcycle suit and helmet and going through the ones I rode today. Also, I had no photographer, so Google Image Search is my photographer (Because I could do a 10 minute test ride to Alaska and back to Georgia...yeah right)

First up - BMW F800GS

Coming from a much heavier sport tourer (Triumph Sprint ST), I immediately noticed the lack of weight and how much darn fun it is to ride this thing. Has a lot of character too.

Things that I didn’t like about it: the rear brake pedal is too low (can’t just flex your right foot in my case) and there is basically no wind protection at all, so it would get tiring after about 45 minutes.

Second Up - Triumph Tiger 800 XCx

Trade the BMW parallel twin in for an 800cc triple, add a little more mass and wind protection and you have the Tiger 800. It didn’t bring an immediate smile to my face the way the GS did, but it’s more practical and still very fun. It inspired me to lean further into the roundabout on the test route (I may have done a few laps of that), and I ended up liking it more than the GS.

Downsides - It could still use a little more punch in the midrange, although if you wind it out to license losing speeds, you still have plenty of go. Stopping could be a teensy bit better, in my opinion.

Third Up - Triumph Tiger Explorer XCa

Now we move up to the big boys - 1215cc triple and more everything. This solved the power problem of the Tiger 800. Triumph also has more modes for their semi-active suspension on the Explorer (they are optional on the Tiger 800 I rode), and the brakes are better.

Downsides - Holy moly is it expensive. With options, the as-tested price was $21,000. That’s Ducati Multistrada money! It’s also wide with the panniers on, so if width is a problem in your area (think lane splitting), you might have to think about aftermarket cases or leaving them off.

Fourth Up - BMW S1000XR

This one is going to rile up some of the Beemer fans out there. Every ride test I read online was glowing about how wonderful this bike is...

OK, I confess, the 999cc four cylinder from the S1000RR is an outstanding engine. If you put it in a superbike chassis, it’s amazing. Retune it and put it in the XR, which adds an upright seating position, and you get a recipe for something that really doesn’t know what it wants to be. Does it want to be a sport bike? Does it want to be a tourer? Does it want to be an ADV? Does it want to be a roadster/naked?

I hadn’t looked or sat on an XR before today, so when I put my leg over it, my first thought was simple: “This is really uncomfortable”. My thighs were getting spread out by the petrol tank moreso than on the others. The seat shape also did not agree with my butt.

I also did not like the BMW quick shifter that allows for clutchless shifting *at all*, as it had no feel for gear engagement when using the clutch (no detent that you can feel with your foot). Couple this with the vibration in the bars and the droning from the intake at about 3500-5500 RPM, and it and I really didn’t get along.

Engine - Good, Brakes - Great, Handling - Excellent. Refinement - Needs a dollop of that.

I wanted to like this bike, because it looked different enough to let me give it a chance. I felt it was a let-down, especially since it wasn’t what I was looking for, and I had just ridden the Tiger Explorer.

What’s next on the list?

Well, I need to ride the BMW R1200GS and a Ducati Multistrada. I’d also like to ride the Honda Africa Twin as well, because that may just be the pleasant surprise. More to follow as I ride them.

DISCUSSION (28)

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 21:44

My uncle has a 2010 Multistrada, awesome bike, tons of power. Not an off road machine though. Also, be sure to try one with ohlins, there is a reason you pay a premium for those gold forks!

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
08/10/2017 at 21:49

Supposedly the Multistrada Enduros bestow light trail use upon the Multi. I’m not expecting hard or unmaintained trail use, so the Enduro should be able to handle Forest Service Roads and fire service roads.

Also bigger petrol tank on the Enduros. I guess they were trying to be serious in Bologna.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 21:50

Ooooo! Ride a KLR or DR650 and remind yourself of the time of the dinosaurs! :D

HammerheadFistpunch > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 21:51

I want an Africa twin so bad. I don’t ride...I don’t plan to learn... But I want one

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
08/10/2017 at 21:54

Not sure if I’d really want those on a 100 mile commute round trip (if I ride to the office on a nice day).

Out in the woods having fun? Yes. The Kawi and the Suzuki would be great for that.

My goal is “Does tarmac well enough and doesn’t fall over just because there’s a dirt road to the camp site at the end of the day.” My Sprint ST can’t do any dirt or gravel.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > HammerheadFistpunch
08/10/2017 at 21:57

If you drain the fuel tank, you could also get one on a Class III/IV motorcycle carrier. So Land Cruiser + carried Africa Twin.

Also, learn to ride. It’s fun.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 22:00

Oh definitely, but it would be funny to hear your thoughts in a comparison between . I took my KLR on a 500 mile road trip not too long ago and it did it....just not very well. The GS line would be MUCH better at that task. But I take my KLR on weekend getaways into the forests up north and I don’t really sweat it when I fall over or crash into things.

Serious suggestion - moto guzzi stelvio. I heard interesting things about it since it has a V-twin up front but mounted sideways compared to every other V-twin bike. Should be something different.

IJustWantMyZBack > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 22:02

Sounds like you want a VStrom or Versys.

I am pretty sure you could daily a KLR 650 but I am biased as a current owner. :)

HammerheadFistpunch > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 22:07

It’s not that I doubt the funs.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
08/10/2017 at 22:11

That one was another consideration. Just have to find a Guzzi dealer in Atlanta, since the one in Dahlonega stopped carrying them.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > HammerheadFistpunch
08/10/2017 at 22:16

Then the only roadblocks are the ones you put up for yourself :)

Well, unless your state does tiered licensing.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 22:17

The results were shocking: They were all the best bikes ever! That can’t be right.

remember when Lanesplitter was about to be A Thing, and there was this awesome dude named Sean MacDonald running it, and it was about break the Moto-journo-all-bikes-are-the-best-bikes-every-every-time world?

http://xseanmacdonaldx.kinja.com/the-worst-motorcycle-review-ive-ever-read-1792097513

yeah, I miss it too.

garagemonkee > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 22:26

Ride a KTM. If you don’t plan on ever doing actual dirt, ride the Super Duke GT, if you do, ride any of the ADV bikes.

I have a Super Duke R and I’m considering going to the GT so I can have cruise control. Everything else about the bike is perfect.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 22:27

Dangerous things happen when the Italians get serious!

HammerheadFistpunch > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 22:29

Also cars, which are effective roadblocks.

Danger > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 22:33

No KTM?

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Danger
08/10/2017 at 22:34

For some reason there is only one Atlanta KTM dealer, and they don’t have any 1190 Adventures in the showroom.

Same with Aprilia and some other makes. No dealer reasonably close by == no sale, unfortunately.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
08/10/2017 at 22:38

Exactly. I started looking up the vibrations and shaking of the BMW XR, and it turns out I’m not insane, and it is actually A Thing.

Then I started reading the other bikes ride tests, and it’s like “Wait a second, they are all excellent. Then how the heck do you compare them?”

It would be pretty excellent if Sean commented on this, especially since the XR is pretty much universally loved in the press, and I almost didn’t leave the dealer parking lot with it.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > garagemonkee
08/10/2017 at 22:46

Their dealer network in Atlanta is sorely lacking. My choices are 45 minutes away or 2 hours on the other side of the city.

You can throw a stone and hit a Honda/Suzuki/Yamaha/Kawasaki dealer around where I am.

Even Triumph has only a few dealers, but one is close to my office.

DrJohannVegas > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 22:48

I am in love w my buddy’s SuperTen, but also wanna give the AT a try. That’s all I got.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > DrJohannVegas
08/10/2017 at 22:50

My butt was not in love with the SuperTen’s seat...Sad, really, because it otherwise looks like it could be quite excellent.

DrJohannVegas > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 22:52

Ah, yea, I can get that. I’d see if you can find the aftermarket options and take a look, but I also understand that every butt is unique.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > DrJohannVegas
08/10/2017 at 22:58

The other thing is that I don’t want to buy the bike and then immediately have to replace the seat just so I can be comfortable on it.

Especially when the Africa Twin, the Multistrada Enduro, the R1200GS, and the Tiger Explorer (and Tiger 800) were all more comfortable for me to sit on.

DrJohannVegas > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 23:06

Yea, I keep hearing the siren song of the multistrada, so I can’t blame you.

jminer > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/10/2017 at 23:25

If you liked the lighter tiger and BMW 800 I would recommend looking at a CB500x. I just bought one after I tried several mid-sized ADV/upright bikes and liked the Honda the best. It was also the cheapest by far, has the benefit of Honda reliability and weighs sub 450#.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > DrJohannVegas
08/13/2017 at 07:26

I rode a Multistrada Enduro yesterday, along with a R1200GSA. Both are better than the Triumph Tiger Explorer to me, and now I have the decision of deciding which one to get.

The Multistrada ends up being a bit cheaper because the one at the Ducati dealer is a 2016 demonstrator. Usually the Beemer is a bit cheaper, even with the required option pack of the Premium package (all non special ordered R1200GSAs have the Premium package in the US). They did have a special ordered 17 demo bike that didn’t have the Premium package (so no electronically adjustable suspension on that Beemer).

Later on, I also test drove a Camaro SS. That’s a whole other discussion...(although it is really excellent)

DrJohannVegas > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
08/13/2017 at 09:50

That sounds like too much fun in one day.

Were it me, I’d get the Duc, because the community is a bit more fun (not that BMW folks aren’t nice, they just aren’t my demographic) and I adore the sound of the Multistrada.

OKcarburetor > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
11/02/2017 at 14:42

Triumph is releasing all new Tigers in 5 days fwiw. Sadly they will probably all be pretend off road bikes like the current one instead of a updated Tiger 1050