2012 Montreal Moto Show: Suzuki

 

Best new 2012 adventure bike?

Yes, I’m talking about the Adventure version of the V-Strom 2012 (or EXP as seen on this picture).

I still keep a great impression of when I first sat on this bike.  The seat: the best I have tried so far (I hope that it was not an aftermarket seat!) and the riding position is perfect.  Everything seems to fit and even the size of the bike is just right.  

The style… definitely Japanese.  Every time I look at it, I can’t help thinking about  Ultraman () probably because of the headlights…but not ugly - I like it.

The aluminum panniers from SW-Motech (rebranded for Suzuki) are well assorted.  Yes, I want this bike!

But I must keep my head cool and also mention the negative aspects:

1. The weight: it is too high.  This motorcycle should lose between 40 to 60 pounds, and that would still be much more than the BMW Sertao.
2. The valve adjustment cycle could be better; if I recall it is around 10000 miles.  The new reference is the Super Tenere with 24000 miles.  Yamaha has set the bar high.

By the way, the people at Suzuki used racks that hold the motorcycle straight on some of their demos.  It gives a much better idea of the riding position when you can put your feet on both pegs.

***

I could not pass by the venerable DRZ-400 without having a peak at it.  It’s no surprise that this bike is so appreciated by people who prefer dust to asphalt without excluding the later.  And when I say dust, I mean a lot more than gravel roads.  This bike seems to be able to pass anywhere.  Its 400cc engine has more torque than smaller 250cc dual sport bikes for a similar price - which is a big advantage.

The ground clearance is pretty high and this is surprising when you first sit on it.  I don’t know if we can speak of comfort with this type of motorcycle: if you are always sitting when riding, it is most likely not the kind of bike you need.  However, if you travel more than 50 miles on paved roads before accessing your trails, the ride may seem a little long.

I like this bike even if it is not as modern as others in the same category.  But this is a genuine dual sport motorcycle – so a great week-end bike to hit the trails, period.

Last stop: BMW

ciao!

dsaventurequebec

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Versys 1000 2012 (en)

Despite its road bike look, this motorcycle probably hides some off-road capabilities comparable to the 1200GS, MultiStrada, Tiger Explorer, CrossTourer and other big adventure bikes.

But before looking deeper into the dual sport aspect, lets talk about bike esthetics.  Kawasaki did not attempt to copy the latest style which is the front fender popularized by BMW and followed by many.  I think it is honorable when a company follows its own original design.  However it took me quite some time to get used to this bike’s look.  The first thing I noticed is how strange the front part with juxtaposed lights look. It seems to me that the Versys 650 is more appealing even if it is similar.  I included a Versys 650 image below.  What do you think?

I hope that Kawasaki made the saddle comfier than the Versys 650.  The 650 seat becomes uncomfortable after 20 miles and I don’t think it has been improved since the first Versys.  In general it is a good idea to rent a bike and go for a long ride before buying one just to see how it feels.  If the seat is not comfortable enough, check if an optional gel seat is available.

Another detail to check: mirrors, on the 650 they are bad.  The vision is totally blurry at around 5000 rpm, but even worse they fold back on the highway because of the wind pressure.  Hopefully this problem was fixed for the big Versys.  Otherwise after market mirrors are available: I bought those replacement mirror for my own Versys on ebay.

There are also positive aspects.  Firstly, Kawasaki kept an eye on the weight.  At 526 lbs wet (239 kg, remove about 33 lbs-15 kg dry), the weight is close to the lightest bike of the category.  Second, OEM tires are Scorpions Trail, indicating that this bike has some off-road capacities for level 0 or 1 trails.  However, forget rocky or muddy roads as ground clearance is limited.  I don’t think installing a skid plate is required (otherwise than for esthetical purposes) precisely because the ground clearance already restrict access to roads where it could be useful.

As it is the case for many big adventure motorcycles, the Versys 1000 is a less interesting choice for dual sport adventure riders.  However this bike is right on the spot for those who ride mostly on paved roads with occasional light off-road adventuring.

To verify:

• seat comfort;
• mirrors;
• oil filter positioning (on the smaller Versys, this is not an issue);
• valve adjustment cycle (15 000 miles, 24000 km on the smaller Versys, great!);
• autonomy, at least 180 miles  (almost  220 miles (350 km) on the 650!)

ciao!

dsaventurequebec

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Husqvarna Strada (en)

Quite a change from what we have seen lately!  I would say this bike is one of the best looking motorcycles since GS series from BMW while being totally different…visually.

Ironically, these days many manufacturers imitate the BMW adventure bike design.  Meanwhile, Husqvarna developed this new modern and stylish motorcycle, …now under the BMW banner.

Visually, this is a success, but even better, Husqvarna kept an eye on the weight.  Result: 170kg (374lbs) and could even be less.  This is good news.  This bike is 22kg (50lbs) less than the Sertão!

For the engine, Husqvarna used the G650GS power plant, but re-tuned it for more torque.  Lighter bike, more power, the Strada will most likely be exciting to ride on both paved roads and trails.  My only concern is the engine valve adjustment cycle on the G650GS: 10 000km.  This is below the industry average and will most likely cost a lot in maintenance.

There are good chances that Husqvarna produces this bike this year.  I hope that they will also sell an adventure version of it with:

• an efficient windshield for the highway;
• heated grips as on the GS sold in Canada;
• a gas tank that will give a great autonomy to this bike (250 miles / 400 km);
• and most importantly… a comfortable seat.

Add an improved valve maintenance cycle, and my Versys is gone ;P

ciao

dsaventurequebec

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Crosstourer 2012 (en)

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Crosstourer 2012

A new 2012 adventure bike from Honda.

Honda enters the big adventure bike market in 2012 with the Crosstourer. Actually dominated by the BMW 1200GS, this bike category is getting crowded with the Yamaha's Super Tenere, Ducati's MultiStrada, Triumph's Explorer, KTM's Adventure and others.

Aesthetically speaking, the Crosstourer is in general, a success. However, the front fender that recalls BMW GS style gives a bizarre allure when seen from a  certain angle (Ducati's Multistrada suffers the same annoying aesthetic detail.) The following picture gives an example of that.

Crosstourer 2012 with accessories

I am a little disappointed that there is no skid plate on this second picture. Moreover, it seems the Crosstourer has skipped some weightwatcher sessions: I don't know how its 605 lbs (275 kg) could negatively affect some adventure rides I made this year.  It seems in most cases this bike could pass without an issue, but in some other cases (some sections of the 6th Concession or Beaches Lake rides) the weight surplus would have been difficult to manage. In my opinion, more technical trails will need to be avoided, making me think Honda's offroad pretentions are not very high for the Crosstourer.

The new Crosstourer is an interesting attempt from Honda to enter the big adventure bike market. Unfortunately, this bike misses offroad potential so it will be less attractive to dual sport adventure riders. It will be interesting to watch Youtube next year (2012) to see which road types Crosstourer owners will be willing to try.

Some aspects to verify:

• weight, probably too heavy for certain road types (level 2);
• accessories, is there a skid plate available? (yes, see update below);
• valve adjustment cycle (ideally around 16000 miles or 25000 km);
• autonomy, at least 180 miles (300 km);
• oil filter positioning;
• comfort.

Update February 6, 2012

I made some research and found a picture with a skid plate.

ciao

dsaventurequebec

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V-Strom 650 ABS Adventure 2012 (en)

Français

Suzuki proposes a better adventure bike.


+1 to Suzuki for their 650 V-Strom Adventure version.  Added equipments: improved windshied with deflector; superb aluminum side cases; and crash bars.

There is some more standard equipment they could have added to the list to make this bike yet better for adventurers: 1) heated grips, because November mornings are darn cold!, 2) an efficient skid plate.  While digging in Stromtrooper forum I saw this one which looks pretty solid:

http://www.bboffroad.com.au/dl650_v_strom.htm

One negative point for this bike: the weight, 519 lbs (236 kilos).  This is almost 100 lbs (44 kilos) more than the G650GS Sertão, a direct concurrent.  In some circomstances a lighter bike makes an appreciable difference.

The V-Strom 650 Adventure is only available in black, but with this great look, nobody should complaint.

One last thing, ABS, that's without a doubt a great addition, especially if the bike is ridden offroad.

In conclusion, well done!

ciao!
dsaventurequebec

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Honda CRF 250L 2012 (en)

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Honda had the good idea to use the CBR250R engine to offer an improved small displacement dual-sport  motorcycle compared to the CRF 230L.


The CRF 250L will soon be presented to the "Tokyo Motor Show".  With this new bike, Honda offers a serious competitor to the Yamaha WR250R and the KLX 250S by Kawasaki.


Of course, the CRF 250L will not break any speed record on the highway but the origin of the engine indicates that it should cope reasonably well. Certainly, this bike will be very easy to maneuver in trails because of its lightness. 


To my humble opinion, the CRF 250L is looking pretty good.  A particularly attractive version with decals and flashy paint is published on visordown.com .

There is little doubt that the CRF 250L will be reliable (Honda = Japanese reliability) and it will make its owner happy for a long time as long as he does not expect too much from the on road capacity of this small bike and he is not a sumo wrestler .

I would be curious to try the CRF 250L in trails I traveled so far more particularly in the rocky section from the Beaches Lake ride  to test its agility.  But I dread the long highway sections that I often had to overcome to go on the trails since wind protection and power on this type of bike is too limited.


To verify:

• behavior on the highway (over 60 mph / 100 km/h);
• range of at least 180 miles / 300 km (certainly economic, but what about tank capacity?)
• valve adjustment cycle (15000 miles / 25000 km on the CBR250R, excellent. But adjustment required after the first 600 miles / 1000 km?)
• availability of accessories? Choice of luggage? Heated grips?
• positioning of the oil filter;
• comfort of the saddle (still comfortable after 30 miles / 40 km?)
• weight (probably around 270 pounds / 121 kg, no complaints).

ciao

dsaventurequebec

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