What's happening to big adventure tourers?

[Boertjie]

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I am currently an owner of a 2006 1200 GS... but this thing to mee is really ugly. There are just too many sharp angles on... well... everywhere. That duck bill with the split tongue is really bad, then the lines on the tank... and the front cover sticking out forward... and the exhaust...

No man, this is rediculous.

Must agree with The_Wes

[alanB]

Only reason why you guys are bitching about heavy bike are because you are too weak to pick them up.  It takes a man to ride the thing.

 

Oh so THATS why they are making these things so heavy - so the riders can prove to others that they are REAL MEN 

You mean its like at the gym where the big muscle bound guys have to make those loud funny grunts and drop their weights on the floor a lot? 

Sorry couldnt resist 

[the_wes]

I picked up a Goldwing the other day... does that make me a real man? 

[Ronsard]

I picked up a Goldwing the other day... does that make me a real man? 

according to the general big bike population yes it does. why don't i just buy a massive truck to commute in. harder to park but proves that i am a real man!!

[Rough Rider]

It is because they are not fish or meat 

[the_wes]

Know what there’s not enough of these days? Large-capacity adventure tourers that are so heavy and so expensive you can’t take them within sight of dirt.

quoted from here: http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2012/10/suzukis-bringing-back-the-v-strom-1000/

[Gérrard]

By choice, and after having had the experience, I moved from the big adventure tourers to the 650 class. I'm a more content biker, but it remains a personal choice.

There is place in my life for a big bike again one day. Now I just want something I can play and tour with.

[roxenz]

I'm with Jupiter's sentiment, only adding that I also commute on my bike every day.  So far, the only time that I've found the 650 class lacking is when there's a few 100 kms of highway to be gotten under the belt.  So I just try and avoid long highway stretches.

As for the beauty of it, I also feel that most of today's bikes look like rejects from a Transformer movie...

[DeepBass9]

In the 'Strom's favour is it will be about 10-20kg less porky than the opposition.

[cloudgazer]

I concur with everything Wes has said.
 

EDIT: except for the bit about Huskies. Never seen the appeal in any of em.

[Rough Rider]

By choice, and after having had the experience, I moved from the big adventure tourers to the 650 class. I'm a more content biker, but it remains a personal choice.

There is place in my life for a big bike again one day. Now I just want something I can play and tour with.

I did the same thing, sold the big heavy adventure bike and went to the 650 class, only I went to a 1000cc superbike in between (big mistake).

[J-dog]

I also think more needs to be said about the risk that the bigger bikes create for the average rider. Take the latest KTM with top speed of around 230 km/ph and 150 hp. The bikes are faster, heavier and more difficult to stop due to speed and momentum. Often first time buyers are the least experienced and buy the bigger bikes because chicks dig it  

I have often switched back and forth between the 690 and 990 during rides with mates, and, getting back onto the 950, have been amazed at how much more difficult it is to slow down with the extra weight and speed.

I'm sure 20 years ago, we didn't see the scores of fatal accidents we have today due to, inter alia, these factors.

It's easy to ride a 990 at 200 km/ph because it gets there effortlessly and it's stable. And very easy to die as well. On most singles, above 140 is a mission, and the inertia is much lower, hence all around safer.

The 1190 which has just come out, had a super bike engine FFS.

Still want one though  

[White Rhino]

J-Dog agree 100%

I don't get the need to increase the speed - there was plenty of oomph in the GS and GSA - certainly more than one can handle in offroad conditions ....

maybe there's a new market .... adapting it for the Autobaan

[Geotraveller]

I picked up a Goldwing the other day... does that make me a real man? 

I dont have to pick up a heavy bike, I have my wife's permission to say I am a MAN!

[BryanOC6]

I picked up a Goldwing the other day... does that make me a real man? 

I dont have to pick up a heavy bike, I have my wife's permission to say I am a MAN!

How do you prove you a man , if you never drop the bike?? 

Waiting in anticipation for the new GSA look? Going to be interesting !! I like this new look, speed wise does not need more speed other wise I would go get one of those moron pocket rockets !

[2StrokeDan]

Ironic how often I have heard bikers criticising the car "SUV in town brigade", X3/5, ML's, etc, cannot do 4x4, but has 4WD , now my point is that these obese class tourers are like these SUV's, cannot take them anywhere worth going. The porkers are really just kak things, but if you see how well they sell, then the porkers are drooled over machines!

[Boertjie]

By choice, and after having had the experience, I moved from the big adventure tourers to the 650 class. I'm a more content biker, but it remains a personal choice.

There is place in my life for a big bike again one day. Now I just want something I can play and tour with.

I did the same thing, sold the big heavy adventure bike and went to the 650 class, only I went to a 1000cc superbike in between (big mistake).

I'm also wondering whether the answer is not to go smaller and lighterfor the ddily commute and occasional play. The idea is then to get the wife her own smallish ride... maybe a 250.

[BrandsiekBrak]

I don't know guys....the big tourers all look great to me! I love looking at my Big Bulky BMW GSA, everyday I seem to fall in love with it again.

Yes, these bikes have many roundings, sticking-out-parts, sharp corners etc...but I think it big draw point is the images of freedom, open roads and distant off places that pop into my head whenever I look at my own and other big touring bikes. There is always a memory (current or future) that lingers in my mind's eye after seeing my bike daily. That spur of the moment run, that gravel road I took on my way somewhere and ending up late where I was suppose to be, that day in the rain, that mud soaked trip..... see where I am going

Point that I am trying to make, is this...all of these bikes are beautiful to me due to the idea behind them. They need to have those outlandish looks, because that is what makes you and other people look twice and also recognise them instantly. Everyone knows which bike is which in the tourer range, and they fill everyone else with envy and lust for adventure.

Personally, if I wanted practical bike design and curves I would have bought a road bike. They all seem to look the same and sound the same, regardless of which one you have. (generalising now, but sure you get the idea)

[BOER!]

Only reason why you guys are bitching about heavy bike are because you are too weak to pick them up.  It takes a man to ride the thing.

 

Oh so THATS why they are making these things so heavy - so the riders can prove to others that they are REAL MEN 

You mean its like at the gym where the big muscle bound guys have to make those loud funny grunts and drop their weights on the floor a lot? 

Sorry couldnt resist 

Touche. 

In your case:  If it's too heavy, You"re too old. 

[KiLRoy]

What makes a man Lebowski....