Agree...but its missing a front brake upgrade and some new foot levers / pegs. Lovely example of one of the best ever made...then made even better by cjs.
I don't disagree with your sentiment but everyone expects journalism, music, internet etc to be free these days and it has to be paid for somehow and the only way it gets funded now is by those with a vested interest in a good review.
Is that true that the ktm wont take a top box? Did KTM tell you this? Gutted!!! What was it like to sit ont and how much wind protection was from the screen compared to the Multi?
It was a KTM rep at the stand that told me about the top box, BUT as soon as I said that could be an off-putter for me he did say this isn't 100% confirmed until the official accessories list comes out (April '16). However, looking at the tail of the bike I couldn't see how they'd fit one - there's only a small passenger grab rail. The rest of bike seems great. The fairing offers seemingly good coverage, as does the screen. I'm not mad keen on the screen adjuster mechanism as you have to push the screen away from you to unlock it and then have 8 settings to choose from before pulling back to re-lock. I think the MTS will be fundamentally a better Sports Tourer but the KTM's engine is sure to be a cracker. Colour schemes for the 1290GT are orange, or slightly less orange.
It'll be about 5 minutes before sw motech or givi produce a rear mount top box support and rack for the ktm, I wouldn't even worry.
That it will....... At least until the rest of the standard dvt's rock up wearing their new paint schemes
After-market top-boxes won't match the KTM panniers though. Not a fan of top-boxes myself but a pity for those who are because the factory panniers look pretty good. KTM panniers are usually either mincey little boutique things with zips which are no use to man nor beast or they're monstrous great coffins that make the bike about four feet wide. With the GT they look to have found the happy medium and the styling compliments the rest of the bike too.
The way i see a top box is thus......... you can't polish a turd...... I have owned a top box, and probably will again, non look any good
Topboxes are great when on a tour. Don't make the bike any wider and you cant see it anyway when you are on the bike.
How much would it be to add manual Ohlins to the base bike? £3000 or so? Less to go wrong then in terms of ECU's etc....
The PP is still the looker of the range, but the prices across the board are taking the pee! Not planning to change for another 3 years, but I would really struggle to choose a replacement at the moment. No one adventure bike ticks all the boxes, going by my visit to the NEC? Especially disappointed with the KTM finish, probably need to test ride the Triumph TBH?
These deals were offered to me two days ago from. Riders Bridgwater - speak to Gavin, Dmc Stoke but no free panniers, and I have another dealer whom i won't say just yet because I'm trying to get even more out of em. I had a deposit on a PP, I'm happy with the spec as I wanted manual suspension, but the price ! So I'll replicate my own for less and better spec.
What was wrong with the KTM finish? I had a go on a Triumph Explorer and the engine was fantastic, however the suspension was so spongy, the fork dive was terrible. It also felt very heavy, this was accentuated by the fork dive. I was happy to get off it. The new one has activate suspension, this might help. Have to say the S1000XR is a far better bike. Was keen to look at KTM though, especially the superduke GT!
It was mostly in the area between the engine and the rear swing arm TBH, looked liked it had been knocked up in a shed. Probably being a bit picky and it was 3 hrs into my walk around, but it really leapt out at me for some reason? Re: the Trumpet, I really must try one and would probably want the better suspension, but I just fancy a shaftie and the GS isn't it, neither is the SuperTen. The XR was probably the most interesting of the group, but is still chain drive - as I said somewhere earlier, just can't get one to tick all the boxes?
