I tried the KTM 1290 Gt. F’ugly bugger but engine, brakes, handling all superb. The standard seat was awful.!! Unfortunately, due to too much weight on my hands/wrists it wasn’t for me. I owned a 1290 SD which had a lot of mods and I truly loved it, hence the GT test. The world is full of bikes to try so you might as well try them all.!
Lesotho is a bike breaker if you go all out, never done it myself but I have seen the results from mates on a number of occasions. I had a bad crash on Sani Pass about 10 years ago trying to got up to the highest pub in Africa. I have never ridden off road since. However I have ridden the tar road to Katse Dam on a few different bikes, the Multi was an absolute blast up there, but the 10 000 foot mountain pass at the top made even a Duc feel a bit breathless. Off road in Africa a GS is the answer, but on the roads in the UK it's an easy choice
We stayed at katse dam, and rode down sani pass. My mate had only ever ridden down it, so he another mate and I rode back up to the top and down again, feet up all the way The GS was the best compromise for our trip as i said (plus the guide had a liason with the bmw dealer in durban), I was very impressed with the capabilities of the bike for what we did. It doesn't suit what I want to do for most of our trips in Europe though, just not enough go when two up. Having said that I am yet to try the very latest lc, which when chipped is meant to be superb.
Anybody having issues with riding in high temperatures? Engine heat coming from under the seat? Temperature where is am is 35+
No temperature issues for the rider, although this is meant to contribute to poor rear brake performance . Getting a cat bypass if you can gets rid of this issue.
No, I don't believe so, but what do you classify as really fat I said above I am a progressive rider. I ride two up a lot and at a pace that matches the faster sports bike riders. Even things like accelerating away from a round about. I can effortlessly out accelerate a solo GS. So much so that I can overtake one off a roundabout with little problem with them flat out. There have only been three people I know (that is, in the club of ~600 riders I belong to) that can ride a GS to get close to the pace of a multi, and all ragged their bikes to do so, but they all concede they don't have the same go and to make good progress relies on very good planning. Two of my friends recently traded GSs. 1: wanted to trade a 2yo 18k mile bike (into the BMW main dealer). Dealer wouldn't accept it, too much corrosion. He made a warranty claim,had it fixed, then sold it. 2: again 2yo bike, needed new barrels and other bits due to excessive corrosion. Same storg at same dealer. He also made a warranty claim and now has a new 1260 multi. I accept your experience and opinion may differ. I'm not trying to alter that, just sharing my experience and view. As I said above the BMW is probably the best option for convenience of dealer etc, but not for on road performance. If the guy doesn't ride the way I door mainly rides solo then maybe it doesn't matter to him
Fair enough. It is horses for courses. Always makes me chuckle when I hear all the lot at our local biker spot saying how this or that bike isn’t fast enough for them as I would be surprised if they were really that good a rider that any half decent bike would be the limiting factor... and even if they were, then road conditions probably mean that they should slow down for their own and others’ safety, and that kind of riding only comes in fits and bursts anyway. You’ve gotta buy what you like though.
I went from an early GSLC to a 16 plate DVT Pikes Peak. No question, the GS is an incredibly efficient motorcycle, but ultimately, it did nothing for me. I kept it for 3 years hoping to bond, it never happened. I actually started thinking that I might be done with bikes and started looking at Caterhams. A test ride on the Ducati rekindled my interest and I haven’t looked back. Now on a 1260 PP. Don’t get me wrong, I can see why riders love the GS, but I’m more of a weekend rider and the Multi suits me 100%. One last thing, as the 13 was the 1st year of the water cooled model, I’d be a little bit careful. There were loads of issues (didn’t affect mine) with gearboxes, engines corroding, switchgear going faulty and even subframes being fitted bent from the factory.
yup, like the crap people spout about tyres; 99% of riders (myself included) will never exploit or find the true limit of any modern half decent tyre
I understand exactly where your coming from. Ive come from fast sports tourers and going to a GS might bore me or eventually be bored. I think the bike in I understand exactly where your coming from. Ive come from fast sports tourers and going to a GS might bore me or eventually be bored. I think the bike in question must be OK, as its already done 38,000km. I don't want to spend £13,000 on the wrong bike. Anyway I'll see how the test ride goes on the multi.
Yup. I’ve only ridden a GS once. Clearly I admit to bias. They’re obviously good machines but they don’t excite me. On the ride I had, the GS did everything it should but it did feel like riding a rubber cow. In your situation maybe you should be looking for a lower mileage GS? They’re rugged and would probably cope with the rougher roads better.
