Re 1000xr. Had a test ride of the 2020 bike. Superb. Comfy. Quick, very. Handles superb. BUT The motor is bland as fcuk. Fast as fcuk, but devoid of character. If you like inline4s and go flat out everywhere, its for you. If not. You will probably want another twin as it has no soul and despite the figures seemed to lack torque. It was all about the top end.
I too wondered how many Enduros they’d sold. Not that many in the UK I’d bet. I wouldn’t think the global volume is all that either. I know some people like them, which is great. I had one for a weekend while my bike was being serviced. It was fun but ...... nah! I wouldn’t part with money for one. As I said in a previous post, what really puzzles me is the thinking. Wouldn’t the new ‘off road’ biased Multi be better with a twin cylinder engine? Or even the 900 version would be more suitable for off road, or come to that a lighter single. Then put the all new singing and dancing V4 into a road bike. Like a tourer, like we’re all hollering for, surely that would make more sense...but no. I’ve seen big companies make incredible mistakes, take the Ford Scorpio for instance. How do so many supposedly intelligent people sit around and go along with such gob smackingly wrong decisions? It’s always been a source of fascination for me. It just confirms my long held belief that most companies are a cock up. It’s just that some companies cock up far worse than the others. Much like politics in fact. This thread proves clearly to me that what the public wanted from this new V4 engine, was for it to be attached to some kind of road going tourer. I bet that is pretty much the same all round the world.
Everything you just wrote In fact, your second paragraph nails it. A twin has got to be better for off-road in all respect.
Tbh, if KTM have sorted the Mk1 1290 GT issues (suspension, narrow power band, shit seat..) then they are going to benefit from the new V4 more than Ducati! All of the ingredients were there with a bit work.
The 2021 Super Duke GT is at the top of my list right now after test riding the 2020 version. All the issues you mentioned are sorted.
Is the horrible vibration on the foot pegs, EXACTLY at the cruising rev range, gone as well? It also had the worst riding position of all the similar bikes I've tried.
Still fizzing about how wrong this v4 is for my expectations. I’ve decided to keep my 1200s for a year at least, add some bits and bobs to keep it fresh and fast. If Ducati haven’t sorted their merda by then I’ll be looking at KTM for my needs, the superduke gt is far closer to the sort thing that blows my frock up. I like a bit of naughty behaviour now and then on tarmac. I have a much lighter dirtbike for muddy sillyness, I don’t need a combo that doesn’t work well for either. I’m shocked that they have dropped such a massive bollock.
Sounds like the previous model then. I had an XR when they first came out. Awesome bike, but it just wanted to be ridden flat out everywhere. And the noise with the full system was just amazing at full chat, which didn’t help!
Perhaps the marketing and sales strategy was to merge the Enduro (which didn’t sell well) with the Multi (which did) and create a single model line. sensible from an economic view but feels like too many compromises have been made on both sides?
I never experienced vibrations of note on mine. In fact smoother than the ‘13 model year multi. Problems were suspension that either bounced around like an old Citroen or a firm set up that had the bike pointing at the roadside on any mid corner bump. Gearbox combined with quickshifter resulted in many missed gears, most of which were at higher speeds and least opportune moments. Switchgear was rubbish on 17 model. Comfort seat was designed by a medieval torture specialist. Power band was surprisingly narrow for a big lump.
I have to say I didn't experience any of those issues on the 2020 model I rode. I had read about the suspension issue but that been addressed by a free software upgrade and nobody on the KTM forum seems to complain about it, except just how planted it feels? I found it excellent but a little too firm in sport mode. After the blipper was added QS up and down is buttery and I never hit a false neutral although it needs to be activated at an additional cost, my test bike had it activated via the track pack addon. Newer switchgear on the 2020 and even newer on the 2021. Seats are a personal thing and I found it comfy enough, and heated for the 3 hour ride I did. The one I rode redlined at 9.5k rpm , it didn't have a power band , it was just sheer power in all gears but got there quickly if that's what you mean ? . 2021 model will have the tweaked motor from the new Superduke R , upgraded suspension, switchgear, TFT and stylema calipers so the dealer tells me. That's why it's at the top of my list as it has everything I want that Ducati doesn't provide anymore on a road focused sports tourer. Go ride one you may be surprised. In saying that I'm still sorely tempted to have a go on the new Super Duke RR
Ducati would be crazy to not bring a sportier V4 to the market, as KTM will be taking a lot of current Ducati owners money if they don't.
Although I was talking mostly about the seating position being too forward and with the legs quite bent. This terrible vibration on the foot pegs was note by many other people during the test. Maybe something not tightened enough/to the spec? If they don't sort this out, I will definitely be trying a '21 GT as the power plant was a brute and the electronics seemed to work nicely in tandem with the frame. Another option is to give far less money and equip my '11 Multi with Ohlins Mechatronics and be done with it. It really is a lovely bike. Let alone 25kg lighter than the V4...
We've been poking fun at Ducati's expense for trashing one of their best selling model. And rightly so. Truly unbelievable. However, I'm hoping that over the next few weeks, they announce a 200 HP V4 SuperSport model to fill the gap they left behind. Otherwise, this will go down as an epic marketing fail right up there with the "New Coke" decision.
Sounds like KTM have resolved the issues. Bar riser kit made a good difference to comfort. Comfort (heated which was nice apart from the controls) seat was just a bad shape and hard. Very fooking hard and uncomfortable after a day or two Euro touring. If the road was smooth and predictable handling was very good, good enough for me to fry the back tyre within 20 minutes of hitting the first good road in Germany..but I suspect part of the tearing was down to suspension that you could not set up “just right”. Could have been tempted by the new one but once bitten twice shy. I think a steering damper would make a huge improvement for when progress is being made. Probably my biggest dislike of the GT and to an extent GS, lack of fine adjustment with electronically controlled suspension. My S1r allowed for some manual adjustment for sag, which did help. Got to think manually adjusted quality suspension would always give superior handling once set up. Though I do switch between road and dynamic on the GS when road surfaces dictate. But a remote adjuster that is easy to reach under the seat is no hardship when on the move! Given choice between the new Multi as offered so far and the GT, my money would go on the GT. Plenty of change to help resolve any small issues to.
The GT I rode had a remote preload adjuster attached to the WP Apex rear shock. In fact I could reach it from the riding position. An adjustable steering damper is fitted under the triple clamp. I dont know what make it is ? I know that for your personal presets there will be a 1 & 2 switch on the bars borrowed from the SDR for 2021 to help with extensive menu faffery. About the riding position being 'wristy', the footpegs are fully adjustable. I'm not saying it will sort everything out for you as I didn't adjust them.
