LuckyStriker, nothing wrong with a big bike and yes, you do not have to justify riding it. However, South Africans have this tendency to use things outside of their design parameters. A hyundai Atoz will be taken from CT to JHB and you'll have to hear about the discomfort on a long journey! I have been on several rides where there is a wide ranging array of bikes and I always end up thinking; "Are these guys on the big bikes, with sweat running down them and the bike getting damaged by the metre progressed, trying to prove something to someone or is that really what they must make do with. But something is preventing them from downscaling to something more manageable, which they will ultimately enjoy much more.
And that is why people with the bigger bikes should learn how to ride them properly and within certain limits or (said with respect) stay to the gravel highways (although even that doesn't work for some)
I'm not a riding guru - not by a long shot, but I know what I can and can't do and more importantly I know what my bike can or can't do with my hands on the bars.
There's a hell of a lot that these big ass GS' (and their cheap Japanese knock-offs * ) can do, but one must be under no misconception that these are do it all bikes.
I do find it interesting though that people look at a bike like this and automatically assume that it isn't a joyful experience taking it through the rough and even more so that it has to be a frighting and struggling experience.
I only fought my bike on one trip in the time that I've been riding big dualies and that was from Groenrivier to Hondeklip.
The rest of the time I kinda just go with it - decide if you can do it or not, then decide on how and then you go for it and let the bike do its thing.
This might sound like 'fyn brag' - it is not meant as such, but the truth for me is that I find the rougher roads relaxing.
Maybe I've just been on the wrong roads
Again - I can't speak for anyone else - I just know how it is for me, but in my mind if you look up to instead of looking forward to being on the rougher roads then there's something wrong.
I initially did go for a big ass dualie because of my wife loving to go with and me loving having her around and the only bikes that can do that are litre class.
(Before I knew anything about these bikes the choices was purely based on price: a 1100GS or Varadero)
Back then it was a compromise but now I can't say for sure any more.
If I didn't have a wife who wanted to go with I would probably still have a GS (or super 10) - if you are going to be riding a 200kg+ bike you can just as well have 100+ HP at your disposal. And I do love the power.
I've never been bothered by the 'I can go faster than you' crowd and I will eventually get there - I just need to take it slower for me and my bike's sake.
And you will never hear me complain about the bike.
Chances are you will almost always see me smiling and being happy to be out and about.
*
Topic: Hey Honda fans, here's your new adventure bike - sucks to be you! (Read 4934 times)