this was alluded to in another thread but should probably have its own



http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2014/08/ ... t-cologne/

I can get into that! Looking forward to seeing the SMR in another year or so.

Huh - does it include a HUD helmet, so you can watch videos in 7.1 Surround while riding? Does it have auto-steering cruise control directionally managed by GPS and road-feature recognition technology, so all you have to do is sit there?

I had a somewhat analogous conversation with someone this morning, who has been riding nearly every day of his life for the last 50-odd years, about an article reviewing the Can-Am Spyder RS-S (there are now EIGHT models of "Spyder" BTW). Oh, and interestingly, the RS-S comes in ORANGE - LOL.

After all his years of riding (also the owner of more than one open-top sports car), he was remarkably excited about what the reviewers had to say - particularly that it was as close to riding a motorcycle, without actually doing so.

All I could ask was "... what's the point"? "You have motorcycles, which you ride all the time, and some open-top high-performance roadsters for those times when you want doors and roof - optional".

His response was simple - "Good points - it would be silly for me to own one ... but its not the same in a car, not having to wear a helmet ...". To which I responded: " ... you can always wear a helmet in your car if you wanted ...". We laughed at our mutual concerns of how the local constabulary would perceive that (negatively, of course).

The same question "... what's the point ..." comes to mind regarding this 1290 Super Adventure, with it's supposedly superlative mystery electronics (best guess: suspension) of "... the new 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE will feature further absolutely unique electronically supported riding assistance equipment." Who knows, maybe it's automatic pop-out wheels for when one comes to a stop. Or perhaps the seat has a built-in feature that wipes your ass for you. Will it have air bags (like Gold Wings) too?

At a certain point, it seems to me there's an experience value being lost here, where this bike is barely removed from being nothing more than a Jeep Wrangler missing a couple of (driven) wheels. LOL - even their pricing will be comparable.

While I'll never resign to forward controls or three-wheeler (I will stop riding before having to resort to either - sidecars possibly excepted), I can understand the elemental draw of the contemporary "cafe" bike rider, and even that of the H-D owner. Even H-D's full-baggers aren't this ridiculous with features - yet.

At what point are you no longer the operating rider; reduced to being a passenger contributing little more than some steering input? What happened to an engine, two wheels, and little else?

They, the manufactures have gone far enough. I'm with Nerd on this one. That felt weird. I want my motorcycle to be simple, spirited, unencumbered, fully controlled by me and my limbs as possible.
I always use a line like " This thing could wipe my ass for me if I could figure out how to load the toilet paper", when describing the latest new fangled device. Tis not what I want in a motorcycle.
The 950's and 990s from KTM, may just be the last before the leap to too far minus a fuckengasgauge

I agree as well , there is no denying the 1190 ADV is a much better all round bike then the SD , done 8k on mine in 10 months and I still love it , however the mill is way too fast for the wheel base , bouncy sussies , 19" wheel.....so basically its already to powerful..
the biggest single thing issue I have though is weight!!!!!!
there's a few folk on here who have been harping on about the appeal of less power and more weight.....
those folk are bang on the money IMHO

I have no problems with tech that increases safety as long as it is reliable. I have to admit that I really like the traction control on my 1290 Superduke R. It takes some skill development away but it is nice to just crank on the throttle out of a corner and not worry about highsiding.

Also I remember a video by a top rally rider comparing abs to non abs on an 1190 on dirt. ABS won every time.

I have yet to ride the 1190 but sat on one last year(demo rides got rained out). Too big and heavy for me. It would be great for sport touring duty and some light off road duty, but nothing more. The videos of people doing crazy things off road on big adventure bikes are fun to watch, but give me my light weight EXC 500 any time! Falling down on the EXC is almost a non event. Pick it up and off you go. Love that.

One bike only then maybe the 1190 is the ticket or the 1290 Super Adventure, but I prefer a really good road bike and a really good dirt bike.

I had a 2014 1190 adventure R. I have had all kinds of bikes for the past 30 years, street and motocross stuff. I thought the adventure R would be awesome for on and off road and bought one. It was a awesome bike for street and riding dirt roads. For me it was way to big and heavy to have any real fun offroad. It sucked after riding a YZ 250. I also decided I was not going to trash a bike that expensive riding offroad. The 1290 Super Duke hit my dealers floor and I had to have it. I sold the adventure and bought the Duke. I love the Duke and do not miss the adventure. I felt kinda gay riding the adventure. LOL!

It takes a lot of skill to ride a big trail bike off road. The 950 and 990 were hardly lightweight with those massive fuel tanks. I had a go on a 950 and just didn't have the skills to ride it off road. The m8 who owned it could ride that quicker on firetrails than I could my 450 EXC. 1290 does seem a little overkill but if people want them they will make them.

As for the electronics, I'm from the old school too. Lots of friends want the latest ZX10Rs for all the traction control. They think it might take a couple of seconds off their laptimes and it may well do. Personally I like my right wrist to be my traction control, there is skill in that but there is no escaping it. In 10 years every bike with any grunt will come with it but as long as there is an off switch I'll live with it.

Had an 1190 ADV as a loaner today while they replaced the leaking engine cover.
When I did a test ride a while back I liked it, now not so much.
Compared to the 1290 SDR it feels heavy and wide. The windscreen makes the wind noise worse than without on the SD.

Same issues with cooked rear brake fluid (was black as!) and clicky headstock.

Also a bit embarrassed at the lights that I would be compared with one of these Ewan Mc Gregor wannabees.
When I want a travel bike that needs to go off road I'll get a Suzuki DR600 or so, cheap, lighter, easier to fix and bullet proof.

What with this and the Ducati Multistrada, are they trying to open a new bike genre, the SUV's of the bike world, with their off-road looks but would be absolutely useless if used for it?

In KTM's own words "It will sit alongside in the diverse KTM Street range next year but the high-end machine will add a different dimension and choice for those who want the absolute pinnacle of luxury sport touring riding" with a 17" front wheel as well, it's obviously not meant for off roading.

^ I think they are coming out with a 390 ADV bike, should be fun.

I don't get all the hate. I'd rock a 1290 ADV. With 17in wheels, it's probably pretty close to the old LC8 SM bikes and a lot of fun. Besides, it's not like you're only allowed one bike in the garage; different bikes for different purposes.

The Adventure/Multi/Tenere/type bikes are all upright comfortable road tour/commuter/ occasional fire road type bikes. Out of these type of bikes I felt the F800gs was the most all round versatile do everything great with low expectations type bike.

...I didn't care for the f800gsa. Too prego looking for my likes. I'll add a camel tank if I need it.