I wonder if anyone here has ridden the BMW GSA-TE, Ducati MTS or DVT and the KTM SA in heavy rain and know which gives the best protection. Cheers
I've not ridden them all, but my money would be on the KTM for that challenge. The screen on it looks like it was modelled off a riot shield.
I've not ridden them all, either, but the KTM SA definitely has the largest amount of weather protection and was one of the major factors that influenced my decision to buy one The screen on the KTM SA can also be made to sit higher still than the standard 'highest' setting by re-positioning it in its cradle (this is covered in the owner handbook but not all salespeople who work at KTM have read it and can therefore mention it as a feature).
I test rode the SA with great expectations, which were not entirely fulfilled. Maybe I need to take it out again, when its pissing down, today would be a definite maybe but Im busy with work/cleaning bikes and getting ready for the double shift for SERV Wessex which starts at 19:00 tonight.
I have just comeback off a test of the KTM SA and it was shit weather and the protection was excellent as was the test ride , i went down and around some shitty roads and not one bit of dirt on my nice clean sidi boots or weather proof bottoms
A mate of mine has the 1190 Adventure and loves it. We've been through some pretty bad weather and he's always faired way better than me - although I was on an Aprilia Tuono at the time, so I think a pedestrian would have faired better than me for weather protection.
DVT touring standard is pretty good. Was out yesterday in Lakeland . Heavy rain all way back from Penrith to west Cumbria A66/A5086 - a 50 mile journey. Shoulders outer were a bit damp on my jacket. But not soaked. (Weise Baltimore jacket, 5'5" rider, lower seat setting). Standard tyres didn't give loads of wet feel. But gripped more than I felt. Adjustable screen great used one to three clicks down from top setting for me. Good rain and wind protection. Though my shoei neotec is bloody noisy without earplugs - forgot to put them in until keswick. A taller rider would enjoy protection still. Moved it in really heavy down pour to get airflow to shift rain off visor - superb. Tried the beemer gs and versys 1000. My personal opinion that its better than both with DVT having bigger frontal area top and side fairing. Supra sing the side panels aren't as suceptible to side winds. DVT keeps giving.
KTM SA rules in inclement weather. Test rode in heavy rain with very little wetness on my torso. The DVT, which I purchased, allows rain to come under the windscreen as well as giving less torso protection. Best to have a waterproof gps with the DVT or drive a car....me, I will take the wet.
