After having some reliability problems on the DVT it's got me feeling that I cannot rely on it at the moment. When it works properly it's brilliant, but it doesn't always work properly. So, am off to test ride an S1000XR tomorrow. Hopefully to remind me why I chose the Ducati in the first place!
You may find the BMW buzzy and frenetic after the Ducati. Try the KTM 1290 GT as well. They're appearing in showrooms now.
Yeah, may well drop in on the KTM dealer, but more expensive than the Ducati so not really an option. Looks a bit of a sporty seating position too judging from the photos I've seen on the KTM website. Plus, not sure I want to be a Guinea pig again, by buying a new release bike!
It's no more a guinea pig than the XR, the engine and electric package has already been tested in both the SD and SA. Price wise, the XR SE / multi S and ktm are all within a similar price bracket .
Agree with Dave. the GT borrows tried and tested features from both the SDR and the SA. Theoretically the SA is the natural competitor to the MTS but my instinct is the GT will be the better real-world all-rounder and a closer match in general ability.
I love my XR but then again I've ridden far more bikes over the last 10 years than Ducatis or twins in general. That's not intended to sound derogatory, What I mean by that is I feel I'm fairly used to having different expectations. It doesn't matter to me whether it's an agricultural KTM, a meat and two veg Rr8 blade, old school R1's or a ducati, If the bikes good it's good. I'm not convinced it's specifically buzzy, I mean sincerely go and ride a bike other than a scooter and tell me you feel nothing through the bars. It's revvy yes but overall vibrations are no more than that of what you get from a Ducati, they just vibrate at a different rate at different revs, ones faster, ones slower. Someone like my Mrs, who has never ridden a bike, but has been on the back of mine with different engine types (L4, V4 & twin) says that the Dvt was horrible as a pillion and really vibey, honestly she really didn't like it at all. We both preferred the look (slightly) but overall she thought the XR was butter smooth in comparison for her. For example whilst plodding along slowly the XR is far smoother than the multistrada, it's sharp and easy on the mind. Point and squirt. But when you wind the throttle on its a different story, it livens up and at that point it's superbike buzzy I guess, but that's because you're absolutely flying, having said that it can be tuned out with a simple heavy bar end add on from Evotech for £40 It is however more frantic as has been said, but that's why I didn't particularly like the dvt, I found that lazy in comparison to the older 1200s and it just felt more grown up, dare I say slightly boring and cumbersome. The XR genuinely feels like you could rock up to a track day and quite easily compete with Slightly older superbikes (blades, big bang r1 etc) It's a very fast, comfortable upright with some wind protection, ideal for a few 200mile+ days out without much worry. The XR is more like the first 1200 multistrada than the dvt is It'll tour no worries, but it isn't a GS so it will rev higher on long motorway journeys. Get to the destination though and in the twisties it'll leave a dvt and gs for dead, I have no doubt about that. What I will say though is that the suspension on the SE some find hard, that's why I got the sport as it's old fashion adjustment, very compliant and easy to upgrade / change
I wouldn't call the KTM 1290 engine agricultural. It seems to combine all the low-down muscle of a Ducati with the searing top end of a four. Except that its top end starts at about 6000 rpm and just keeps going. They do buzz through the pegs between 5500 and 6500 rpm but nothing at any revs through the bars, which is the vibration that bothers me. To be fair neither did my Streetfighter, even before I had it balanced. KTM have pushed technology in their own way, just as Ducati and BMW have. They led the way with lean-sensitive ABS and TC and their latest big singles are just astonishing. They've pushed what a single is capable of in the same way that the Panigale has pushed the possibilities of a twin. And although its not the engine under discussion here, BMW deserve honorary mention for what they've done with the boxer. Who'd have thought an essentially 1930's design would be powering some of the best bikes in their class 80 years later? Actually, engine characteristics aside, having got used to riding twins in recent years, and one triple, the thing that I find initially most off-putting about an I/L four is the sheer girth. The engine is wide enough but wrap a beam frame round it as well and the impression of bulk is vast. My Streetfighter is like a razor blade next to, say an S1000R. Walk around it and from the back it just disappears.
Incidentally, for bar-end weights to calm vibration, much as I like Evotech products I'd recommend the large Oberon weights. They use expanding metal collets which by connecting the weight directly to the bar do a much better job of tuning out vibration than isolating rubber bushes. They're exceptionally well made for the price as well.
Well, today I test rode the XR and also a GS. Both great bikes, XR I had ridden before when it first came out, so new what to expect. The vibes through the bars were not as bad as I remembered and came in around 5000rpm. Maybe they've improved the bike since first launched. They might get slightly annoying stuck on the motorway, but in normal use not noticeable. A great bike, incredible acceleration, and the quick shifter was really good, really helpful when approaching a roundabout quite quick. However, confirmed it wasn't for me, don't think I'd like it on a long tour, felt more like a weekend bike for me. But then if I wanted a weekend bike, I wouldn't buy an XR. I also tested the GS, which I arranged a bit last minute - along the lines of whilst I am at the dealer may as well give it a try. It was a TE fitted with the quick shifter also. And I really liked it. The engine was good, really torquey down low, decent acceleration when you want it, and build quality looked top notch. Probably not quick enough though, but a bike I could see myself owning. Both Had decent back brakes, really make the Multistrada back brake seem crap. All in all, would go for the GS, but feel the Multi sits perfectly between the two......may just have to put up with poor build quality, corrosion and the worry that it will break.
Oh I wasn't saying new ktms are agricultural, the older lc8 is a little though, especially in the rc8 / rc8r and Sm. I still love them though, I've even been looking at another RC8 so I can make a special Akrapovic edition I mocked up years ago in photoshop. To be honest I'd like to have the 1290 sd, and if the Mrs didn't want to get on the back I'd have got one. ......women
I looked at others due to reliability concerns. I'd say the multi sits between the GS and XR in style/performance.
I like the LC8s because they're lively but durable and simple. They're analogue and DIY friendly, yet they're also rev-hungry loons that love to be caned. Maybe its the Paris Dakar genes in them but they feel like they're designed to soldier on instead of being throwaway like so many bikes these days are that are too complex and clever for their own good.
Analogue is probably a better word and more suited than agricultural. As you say, cracking engines those.
