2012 Montreal Moto Show: Triumph

Without a doubt, the adventure motorcycle market is booming if you consider all the new models available since 4-5 years.  Triumph has been quite active in this category lately.  This manufacturer comes back this year with yet another model, the Tiger Explorer.

As I did for all the other motorcycles for which I had a particular interest at the Montreal moto show, I took some time to sit on the bike and evaluate the riding position and the seat comfort.  The seat seemed a little hard, but comfy.  However, I can’t explain exactly why, the motorcycle left me a bit cold.  A little too big?  Or maybe just because it is more road oriented?  Or perhaps because a more appealing bike was just beside it: the 800XC.

There is no doubt in my mind, the 800XC is one of the best interpretations of the dual sport adventure bike on the market.  The comparisons with the F800GS from BMW are numerous.  Which one is the best?  That depends on your point of view.  In my opinion, comfort is the most important aspect when evaluating a motorcycle.  Depending on that, you will or won’t like a motorcycle.  A comfy bike will not stop you from riding all day long.  Thus, I think the 800XC has an edge.  I rode the F650GS for 2 weeks.  I really loved this motorcycle, but for the seat, it gave me back pain (however my wife found the rear seat very comfortable, even on a gravel road).  The same seat is used on the F800GS.

If you are targeting the 800XC to be your next motorcycle, I suggest that you browse motorcycle forums and check its reliability.

 

Next stop: KTM

Ciao!

dsaventurequebec

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Motion induced blindness / Cécité induite par le mouvement

(EN)While browsing my favorite forums I stumbled upon a pretty interesting post from kawasakiversys.com. The following visual test as stated in the original post could be a plausible explanation why some car drivers cannot see motorcyclists. While fixing the central blinking dot, the surronding yellow dots will disappear!

(FR)Pendant que je naviguais sur mes forums préférés, je suis tombé sur ce message très intéressant sur kawasakiversys.com. Le test visuel suivant, tel que mentionné dans le message original, pourrait expliquer pourquoi certains conducteurs automobile ne voient pas les motocyclistes. En fixant le point central clignotant, les points jaunes disparaitront!

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Kawasaki Safety Recall (US)

Vehicle Make / Model:    Model Year(s): KAWASAKI / EX250JCF    2012 KAWASAKI / EX250JCFA    2012 KAWASAKI / EX250JCFAL    2012 KAWASAKI / EX250JCFL    2012 KAWASAKI / EX650ECF    2012 KAWASAKI / EX650ECFL    2012 KAWASAKI / KLE650CCF    2012 KAWASAKI / KLE650CCFL    2012 Manufacturer: KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A. Mfr's Report Date: MAR 01, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V081000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: STRUCTURE

Potential Number of Units Affected: 793

Summary: KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 EX250JCF/A/AL/L NINJA 250, EX650ECF/L NINJA 650 AND KLE650CCF/L VERSYS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 THROUGH OCTOBER 25, 2011. DUE TO ENGINE VIBRATION AND DAMAGE DURING ASSEMBLY, THE CIRCLIPS ON THE FOOTPEG MOUNTING PINS CAN BREAK AND FALL OFF AND CAUSE THE FOOTPEG TO DETACH FROM THE MOTORCYCLE.

Consequence: IF THE FOOT PEG DETACHES, IT COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE RIDER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: KAWASAKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER FOOTPEG PIN CIRCLIPS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.

Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV. src: safercar.gov

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2012 Montreal Moto Show: Ducati and Campagna

Third Stop: Ducati

Nothing new at Ducati for adventure motorcycling but I had to stop to closely evaluate the Multistrada, which I see every summer day in front of Ducati Montreal on St-Laurent street coming back from work.  Quite an evolution in many aspects compared to the previous model!  Certainly nobody will miss the previous version.  The most important improvement is hidden however: the valve adjustment cycle made a 20 000km jump from 4000 to 24000km, which makes the Multistrada suddenly much more affordable.  Bravo!

Ducati has never been shy to tell everyone the Multistrada is a dual sport bike.  It is well known that the Multistada is a crossover, but people at Ducati brought the concept to new highs.  They equipped the Multistrada with electronics to select the riding mode at the touch of a finger.  There are 4 modes, including dual sport.

While I was looking closely at the bike, it seemed to me that ground clearance was a little short for fire roads.  Well, there is nothing better than a couple of dedicated adventure riders taking their bike out, producing videos and sharing their results to verify that.  So have a look at this video found on Youtube.

Enter video caption here

That sounds convincing enough according to me.

Off topic: V13R

While heading to the Ducati booth, I stumbled upon a quite appealing vehicle, esthetically and mechanically speaking. The V13R from Campagna.

If I had money to spend I would run to buy this 3 wheeled roadster.  A minivan to carry kids around, a V13R for everything else.  Honestly, I don’t know much about this type of vehicle and I don’t know if there is a big market for it yet, but I wish to see many of them on the roads just for the pleasure of looking at them.  A great modern and classic look, powered by Harley Davidson, all Baby Boomers want one.  This product is manufactured in Quebec.  

All my congratulations to Campagna!

Next stop: Triumph

Ciao!

dsaventurequebec

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2012 Montreal Motorcycle Show: Honda

 

Second stop: Honda

There were 2 new models I wanted to see at the Honda booth, unfortunately the CrossTourer was not there and hopefully will be available in Canada next year. 

First, the CRF250L.  A small displacement engine does not necessarily means a small bike, that’s what I noticed while looking at the CRF250L.  I could not sit on the bike to see if it was confortable as it was strangely surrounded by a small barrier, perhaps because it is a 2013 model?   I searched for a while to see where the oil filter was located  and I even asked a representative, but it was impossible to find (useful to know for those who like to make some maintenance!)  Meanwhile, I noticed that this bike is pretty well built.  Everything looks nice and tight.  No doubt in my mind, this bike will sell like hot cakes as long as the price is reasonable.

Second, the NC700.  This funny looking bird (one has to get used to its beak, but still not ugly) reminds me of my Versys, not look wise but in its form: a crossover.  Like the Versys, the NC700 most likely hides some off road capabilities that could surprise when dual sport tires are installed (Avon Distantia as an example or even TKC80 now that Continental makes them in 120/70-17 front size). 

Advantages of crossover bikes are:

• highly competent on the asphalt (and on highways contrary to a dual sport bike),
• can  take a passenger anytime,
• usually an interesting autonomy (but in case of the NC700 it seems Honda took some gas tank volume to accommodate a trunk just in front of the seat, enough room for a gas can!),
• generally many accessories are available; and
• still those bike are fully capable to follow most dual sport motorcycles on a gravel road.

I was able to try the seat this time.  The saddle comfort was apparently correct.  Don’t take my words for granted, there is nothing like a 40 miles ride to be 100% sure on this topic, but to me the seat seemed comfier than my own motorcycle.  I don’t know if this bike will sell because of its particular aspects, but I’m convinced that those who will buy it won’t be disappointed.

As I was in the area, I had a sneak peak at the big bore dual sport from Honda, the XR650L. Once sitting on it, I was barely tiptoeing.  At 5’9” I am not that short!  It seems to me that this bike would be quite interesting for more aggressive off-road dual sport adventure ride if it would be more accessible to “normal” people.  

Next stop, Ducati. ciao!

dsaventurequebec

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2012 Montreal Motorcycle Show

 

Winter is much too long for motorcycling amateurs in Quebec.  Fortunately, there are moto shows where we can drool over the latest models.  So, I went to the Montreal Moto Show located at the Palais des Congres accompanied by my better half with the mission to meet each motorcycle constructor representative, introduce myself and briefly talk about DSAventureQuebec.

First stop, ZERO Motorcycle

 

With gas prices soaring, its no surprise to see companies like ZERO motorcycle presenting 100% electric motorcycles.  With lithium batteries, their off-road version has an autonomy of about 50 miles (80 kms).  Their road version however is good for a surprising 110 miles (180 kms) of autonomy as per the rep.  This feat is most likely reachable in perfect conditions, but it is more than decent for this type of bike… and more than enough to commute daily to work.

For an adventure ride it is still not long enough considering that it is not yet possible to recharge along the way, but I think that ZERO Motorcycle is going in the right direction.  The autonomy will most likely increase year after year and I will probably ride a long range electric bike before I retire from motorcycling; a plus for the environment.

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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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