I've got this week off and as today is looking like being the only decent biking weather for this week I gave Bulldog Triumph in Wokingham a call this morning to arrange a test ride @ 2pm. I went out for about an hour & a quarter covering 50 miles or so. •Riding position was quite different to my Multistrada with higher bars & lower foot pegs so more up up right but quite comfortable. I did feel like I was stretching a bit but am sure this is something that would be OK after a while. Gear & rear brake levers were totally in the wrong place for me which is something that could easily be adjusted. My right boot was rubbing on the clutch casing which felt strange but again would be OK after a while. •Engine was lovely, very smooth from low down (no surging) right up to over 10,000RPM which was no surprise having a V twin! It's not as powerful as my Multistrada & this was noticeable although it was still plenty quick enough. •Gearbox was also very smooth & precise not having a false changes the whole journey. •Shaft drive was smooth although there was a whine accelerating from a slow speed. The guy recons this is because they put a thin oil in the diff which is changed at 1st service. •Although a heavy bike, it didn't feel like it when on the move & was easy to change direction. •Equipment level is very good with ABS, traction control, cruise control & multi function dash all as standard. I had a play with some of the toys the best I could whilst on the move & there appears to be eveything you would want for. Bottom line is overall it's a very nice bike especially the engine, more adventure orientated than my Multistrada & I still have a sports bike rider in me that like's to come out now & again so I wouldn't swap mine & £2,500 - £3,000 for new one, at the moment!
Yeh i saw one in the middle of dublin the other day. Looked 'ok' - not as nice as the multistroodle (even though some could say thats an acquired taste). I think the only thing that lets the triumph down is the headlights - make it look very ordinary indeed. It does look well put together however. Hope it does well... British bike and all that.
Saw one last week when went to arrange test ride on multi, nice bike, very gs looking, but that's the problem, you wouldn't get the same wow factor when you open your garage door!! The multi is just such an amazing looking bike.
I've been looking for a replacement for my ST4S for a couple of years now and have tested numerous alternatives including the MS1200, VFR1200 and BMW Boxers. Last year I tried the Tiger800 and bought one straight away as it is such a good all rounder with a seat that is so much better for two-up touring than the others. Problem is, those evil people at Triumph have brought out the 1200 Explorer and I have been forced to trade up only a year later. The ST4S will stay but be relieved from two-up European touring duties, the 800 Tiger has had to make way!!
How come you by-passed the multistroodle? Be interested to know... I would say the triumph is some bike for the money...
No worries... Look did a quote this time!! I think the only downside with the trumpet is the tyre sizes. As I never go off road much prefer the standard tyres on the MTS - much better selection of tyres. With my KTM adventure there was practically no choice at all (3 different ones I think) and the standard scorps were sh1te in the wet. Admittedly they were 21 inch fronts...
Really difficult to quantify easily in words but I'll try. My ST4S (and I've owned 3 STs since 1998 without a break) involves me in it's 'presence' every time I use it from the various noises to the way in which it delivers its power and torque. It handles well and makes me smile inside. Well the Explorer has a similar effect, probably caused by the flexibility and flat torque line combined with huge power and (relatively) nimble handling. For the past 10 years I have toured in Europe with Mrs Nothingbettertodo on the back and we both love the seat on the Ducati, but the Explorer has an equally comfortable seat, better ergonomics for the elder gentleman (that'll be me then!) and will cost less than one third of the price to service and maintain. What I want is a bike with spirit and character that I can use for weeks away at a time and crack out high mileages on in comfort and below are my impressions of the other bikes I tested so you can see how I arrived at my decision: VFR1200................................Bit ordinary and testicles were scrambled by the vibration at cruising speed on the motorway! Pillion pegs obstructed by panniers. GTR1400...............................Too big but seat was excellent. Lacked character. ZZR1400...............................Good looking bike that went like a missile but that wasn't what I was looking for and the ergonomics were too similar to the ST4S. BMW RT................................Dull as a thing from 'Dullsville' and the seat was too short giving Mrs Nothingbettertodo a feeling of being too close to me! Surprisingly nimble though. BMW GS................................Looks the business but a bit too lumpy and needed to gain some HP. she didn't like the seat too much either. MS1200.................................Boy did that thing go. It looks stunning and on paper it is everything I need. Seat was nowhere near as good as the ST4S or Explorer. Last summer I spent 5 weeks away on the bike and I intend doing the same this year. If I do that on the Ducati It'll probably need a major service and another chain and sprocket plus tyres. On the Explorer I will probably only need tyres and a wash and won't even need to check anything whilst I'm away. After all, I'm not made of money, although If I were I would still not have a ZZR, GTR, RT or VFR in the garage. There would be a Multistrada1200 and a BMWGS though!! Oh and the ST4S has hazard warning lights and ABS the same as the Explorer!!
Nice summary... I've tried the rt and the gs as well as the multistroodle. You are correct but I would extend the dull to both of them - just seem to be quite soul-less. I would say if they manage to watercool the gs it might be half decent... (aka more power) Tried the tiger 1050 and found it had loads of lovely power and sounded great - well done on your choice (although a black multistroodle would be better obv :wink: )
Yes I can accept Dull for the GS too but just a slightly lower 'Dullness quotient' than the RT. Never tried the 1050 but they reckon the Speed Triple is truly magnificent if you want that style of bike.
:tongue: Yes and the tyre pressure warning system that Ducati originally promised us....and icluded at at least 4 grand less cost! lol! Not voted?....see here: http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f6/mts1200-no-hazard-warning-4-way-flashers-424/
Ooooooh, you're so 'techie' with your screenshots!!! Cruise control and three-mode Traction Control too but won't be as good on a track day. You'd leave me standing around Cadwell!!
After I've had the full set of early model problems, I've always thought I'd like the Multistrada 1200 more if it was made in Japan. The lardy new Honda Crosstourer, however, is NOT an option! I can do without cleaning wire wheels! Nor is the Kawasaki Versys 1000 with its dodgy front forks. The Triumph might be the one though I wish they didn't have to make such a big cutout in the right side pannier. 60 litres of pannier space is a bit lacking for a long tour just like the Multi but the Ducati does at least have optional bigger lids available. After 12 months of well documented teething problems with the Ducati, all it's warranty problems are now fixed and it is much more endearing as it clocks up the miles without mechanical dramas. The lesson to be learned is DON'T BUY A BRAND NEW MODEL. Give it a year or so to develop it's problems and for the factory to fix them and fit the obvious improvements. Even Honda usually develop a "K2" within a year or so. I'm now so much happier with the Multistrada that I'll just sit tight and watch the market before making any decision.
Is it me or have Triumph borrowed the 'ugly stick' from BMW in regard to the Explorer? Try as I might I can't seem to fall for its looks especially when I look back to my Multi! I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it won't matter so much when you are in the saddle.
There's a very good adventure bike group test in MCN today & overall scores are: 1st Triumph 1200 Explorer 2nd Honda VFR1200 X Crosstourer 3rd Ducati Multistrada 1200 (Base) 4th BMW GS1200 Ralle 5th Yamaha Super Tenere 6th KTM 990 Adventure 7th Kawasaki Versys 1000 8th Moto Guzzi Stelvio NTX The Multy scored lowest in 2 of the 10 categories, Comfort 6/10 & off road 3/10 but was highest in 5 (50%) of the 10. Take the off road score out of the equation & the Multy would be top. I never intend to take mine off road so it fits the bill for me!
