2012 650 Adventure-Touring Shootout: BMW G650GS vs. Kawasaki Versys vs. ...

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2012 Montreal Moto Show: BMW

It was worth the trip.

One bike I absolutely wanted to see at this moto show was the G650GS Sertao…a welcomed Dakar comeback.

The Sertao is really a dual purpose adventure bike.  It is light and has enough power to comfortably hit the highway.  The taller windscreen has a decent wind protection for higher speed.    The engine is economic to run – which is appreciated when gas prices keep soaring.

Furthermore, this motorcycle comes with all required off road accessories: skid plate, handguards, heated grips (optional?), and wheels adapted for more difficult trails.

 

Summary of what I like:

• good enough for commuting;
• economic;
• able to comfortably accommodate a passenger;
• already adapted for intensive trails, albeit the tires could be more aggressive;
• rugged style. 

When comparing this motorcycle to smaller dual sport motorcycles, the benefits are obvious: more power, but still easy on gas, undoubtedly more capable and comfortable on long highway rides even with a passenger.

Because of its high ground clearance and lightness, this is one, or perhaps even the most appealing dual purpose adventure bike.  It is better adapted than any of the bigger adventure bikes as the 1200GS, Super Tenere or the Multi-Strada on tougher trails when a lighter bike is required (mud, big rocks or logs).

At the moto show, when I finally got a chance to sit on this bike (I was not the only one drooling), I noted that the seat comfort was…ok. But overall, I really like this bike and I will certainly consider it as my next motorcycle.

The minuses: maintenance fees scare me a little since my mechanical skills are limited.  As an example, the valve adjustment cycle is about 6000 miles… that means many vi$it$ to the dealer.  While browsing motorcycle forums, I noticed that many people do the valve adjustment task by themselves.  If you are like me…mechanically challenged, you could probably find a good soul on a dedicated forum to teach you how to do this task.

About wheels.  It would be interesting for BMW to adopt tubeless wheels similar to the Super Tenere – that would ease tire repair out in the wild.

Overall, kudos to BMW for getting back on the market with this superb bike which meets many of my adventurist expectations.

Next:  First 2012 adv ride report

ciao!

dsaventurequebec

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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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2012 Montreal Moto Show: Yamaha

War is war!

Could the Japanese motorcycle makers’ current interest for the adventure bike market be the response to BMW for kicking their asses with the S1000RR? A revenge against the GS?  A way to regain lost market shares?  Or are those manufacturers simply answering growing consumer demand for adventure motorcycles?

The answer does not really matter.  The real impact however is a much broader choice for the adventurers compared to 5 years ago.

In my opinion, Yamaha is proposing one of the most interesting adventure bikes with the Super Tenere.  Visually speaking, it is a success.  One of the most appealing bikes on the market with an original design.

I owned a Yamaha for 7 years, a V-Star 1100.  Attention to details was remarkable.  But ouch! maintenance fees where just too high because of the valve adjustment rate: 7000km (4500 miles) .  And…I had to change the seat…Still, I really liked that motorcycle.

But, about the Super Tenere.  Comfort wise, my first impression was good. However, I found the bike a little too big for my taste.  Valve adjustment cycle is 38000km (24000 miles), which is unique (!) and makes that motorcycle more affordable over a long period of time.  Autonomy wise, the bike is good for 320 km (200 miles) between refills.  This is more than acceptable.

But what about the off-road aspect?  This motorcycle’s only sin is its weight.  I think weight is the main weakness of the new Japanese adventure bikes (Super Tenere and also the CrossTourer).  You can compare your motorcycle to man’s best friend – a dog… and the weight of your motorcycle to the fang size of your dog: when you’ll lose control in an unexpected situation, you’ll feel the difference.  So off-road capabilities are limited…right?

Well, this video seems to contradict whatever I said about the weight of this bike.

Enter video caption here

Next stop: Suzuki

ciao!

dsaventurequebec

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2012 Montreal Moto Show: Kawasaki and Moto Guzzi

 

Kawasaki

No surprise.  Each year it is the same story…

…after a too long winter, I take my Versys out of the garage, fire the engine, go for a ride and come back with this smile .

There is no doubt in my mind, Versys motorcycles are fun to ride.  The engine is Kawasaki’s best selling argument for its small Versys.  I am convinced that the new Versys 1000 will carry the same soul and will be even more pleasant to ride on paved roads.  

However, I had some disappointments while at the moto show.  First, mirrors.  I had a clue that they could be weak, but when I sat on the bike and tried to adjust them, it was clear that Kawasaki did not do its homework to improve them compared to the small Versys.

Second, the seat.  It is made with same cheap material used on the small Versys.  So comfort may be an issue during a long ride.  Last note, the design.  Not what I would call a beauty, especially when you look at it from the front.

Conclusions: a good motorcycle with some caveats, will be fun to ride on paved roads and probably on nice gravel roads.  The new Versys misses some polishing to be a great motorcycle.  It looks like Kawasaki put all its mind power on the mechanical aspects, but ignored the low hanging fruits.

 

Moto Guzzi

Moto Guzzi Stelvio is one of the adventure bikes that grabs my attention.

The goal of this motorcycle is to be a direct competitor to the big GS from BMW and capture some of the adventure market share.

However it seems that Moto Guzzi took the bull by the horns and built a quite competent all-roads bike.

The look is unique and not bad at all as well.

However, when I sat on the motorcycle I had a strange impression.  There is a huge gap between the tank and the dash… which gives a odd feeling of emptiness.  It will probably take some time for future owners to get used to it and it could also be a problem to fit a tank bag.

You can see in this picture the engine skid plate and a specially bent kickstand…is this to give more stability to the bike when upright?

Overall, this motorcycle is interesting and will certainly please people that like to stand out.  After looking over the internet, the main grip for the Stelvio is its poor autonomy.  So that is to consider when planning an adventure ride.

Next stop: Suzuki and Yamaha

ciao!

dsaventurequebec

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Heidenau vs Shinko (en)

While I was at the Montreal moto show, I stopped at the Heideneu booth, attracted by the K60 Scout dual sport tires in demonstration.

I really liked the thread pattern of those 50-50 tires.  I spoke to the rep and told him that those tires would be an interesting replacement for my Shinko 705DS…  Whut?! Shinko?  Heideneu are much better than Shinko he told me with a little cocky attitude.  K60s can make 8000 miles no problem and they are excellent under rainy conditions.  I told him that I ran on Shinko 705DSs for a year and they where really not bad for the price.  My argument was lost in the wind.  Never mind.

I had a look at the tire chart.  I saw that I could use the 120-90-17 for my front tire and the 150-70-17 for the rear.  Exactly what I needed to do in order to accommodate a Shinko 705DS on my Versys, in other words: install a rear tire on my front wheel.  Note that I had to raise my front fender to have more space for this high profile tire.

Side note.  Are most of DS tire manufacturers sleeping on gas?  Let me explain.  There are many supermotos and many crossovers on the market.  Both use a 120-70-17 tire size for the front wheel.  However there is only one manufacturer that offers its DS (I mean the real McCoy) tire in 120-70-17 front wheel format: Continental, with the TKC80…and this is very recent, but good luck… this tire is most of the time back ordered.  So, just a quick reminder for all other manufacturers: there is a market for this tire size!  End of side note.

So, Shinko-Heidenau…as a matter of fact last week, my front tire showed end-of-life signs.  I would have liked to keep it for another riding season, I even installed a brand new rear 705DS the week before!  However, the front wheel tire blocks are unevenly worn down and I fear that delamination has started: the front wheel was vibrating going back home after work (the effect was like going over a bump on every wheel rotation).  I just could not miss the occasion to compare: I called my dealer to order a Heidenau K60 to replace my front tire.  I should have it installed this week. 

So I will see if the K60 is as good as the Heidenau rep seems to think.  My conclusions on the Shinko 705DS:

• a good performer on asphalt as well as off road;
• surprisingly good under rainy conditions;
• noisy, but not to the point that it becomes an issue;
• the front tire: non-uniform wear down and started delaminating after 8000 miles (12000km).  The non-uniform wear down issue is apparently a frequent situation with big block tires but still disappointing.  Could having a rear tire installed in front explain this?  Also, the tire ran with lower than recommended pressure a few times, could this explain delamination?

To be continued…

Update: April 4, 2012

I got my bike back today.  Some pictures with the Heidenau (Shinko 705DS rear).

First impressions:

• 705DS almost looks like a road tire compared to K60!;
• K60 is a little less noisy;
• because of the 50-50 thread pattern, K60 vibrates a little more at low speed.  Shinko’s are 70-30.

I probably forgot to mention that I wanted the Scout version of the K60.  The Scout seems to have a extra band in the middle (see top picture of this post).  That will give me another opportunity to compare next year .

Now time to get lost in the Lac des Plages (Beaches Lake) area!

Update: May 29, 2012

I had 2 good occasions to try the Heidenau K60.  First, during my first ride heading to Mont Tremblant and another one to Otis, Massachusetts.

The K60 is really good in all situations and surprisingly smooth on paved roads.  I did not feel any difference riding at a fast pace even with the 50-50 knobbies.  So, a good choice for all types of adventure rides.

I would have appreciated a K60 at the rear wheel as well when I had to follow a muddy road.  The 705DS is simply not built for this kind of situation.  I believe the K60 would have been better - but as of today, this is still speculation.

The down side: gas consumption. While I was riding down to Massachusetts, I was under the impression that gas consumption was higher than usual.  I suspect that around 20% more gas was required to run with the K60 on the front wheel.  I therefore have some apprehension installing another one on the rear wheel.

Concerning the performance aspect, the K60 is great!  Oh yeah, one more thing I noticed: the K60 is way better at cornering than the 705DS.  But keep in mind that I am running with a rear tire at the front wheel, the difference could be less obvious if I used a real front tire.

The conclusion so far is that if you are riding on a budget, choose the 705DS – it is cheaper and easy on gas.  The K60 is a better tire performance-wise, but overall costs are higher.

 

Update: July 16, 2012

I have been using the bike in normal conditions recently (commuting to work) and I discovered that the K60 is not the gas guzzler I originally thought.  My original observation in May when I rode to Massachusetts was that the tire increased gas consumption by 20%.  But now that I have used the bike in normal conditions, it appears that the consumption is the same as it was before - with a Shinko 705DS installed on the front wheel (about 49 MPG or 4.8L/100km).

So, the previous conclusion is still valid: if you are on a budget, buy Shinko’s 705DS, in particular if you do tire installation – however it is not cheaper on gas.

It will be very interesting to see on the long run how the Heidenau wears down.  If it does significantly more mileage than the 705DS, the price advantage may becomes just an illusion – especially if considering that it would require more frequent tire installation @ 50$ each.

ciao!

dsaventurequebec

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2012 Montreal moto show: KTM

It was not easy to speak with the KTM representative, he seemed to be the most popular guy at this moto show.

KTM is one of the brands that attracts the most attention with their Ready-to-Race motorcycles and its implication in many events like the Dakar rally with Marc Coma and Cyril Després who compete year after year for first place.

So a stop at the KTM booth was a must.  I had the chance to have a closer look and quickly evaluate the Adventure, which my wife found ugly by the way, but from a dual sport adventure motorcycle amateur, the Adventure represents the summit of efficiency in its class – which allows to see the best of this bike, but yeah, the look is rather particular.  However the Dakar version in dark blue suits this bike nicely.

There are many trails where I had to turn around because my Versys was not adapted - either because the ground clearance was too low, misadapted suspension or the bike was too heavy.  It is in moments like those that I would have liked to ride an Adventure or a 690 Enduro to really see the difference.

However, take note that those motorcycles are not for everyone.  First, the accrued power which makes KTM’s reputation comes with a proportional gas consumption, which in turn also means a reduced autonomy.  Also, those motorcycles require more maintenance than the average motorcycle… so if mechanics are not your thing, be prepared to regularly visit your dealer.  There is a price to pay to be the pack leader.

 

I added some trail pictures where I had to either turn around or be very careful because of the limited ground clearance of my Versys.  Would an Adventure or a 690 Enduro have made a difference? Certainly yes, but to what degree?

 

Next stop: Kawasaki and Moto Guzzi

Ciao!

dsaventurequebec

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