Davy F
Registered user
Went to look at an 800xc and i can honestly say i have never seen a 2 year old bike with such a poor finish.
Which is why the Honda Crosstourer is top of my next bike list.
Went to look at an 800xc and i can honestly say i have never seen a 2 year old bike with such a poor finish.
Maybe they should have stuck with their original concept, at least they would'nt have been cloning bmw like they appear to be with their new bikes at the moment, 25l tank would've definitely been better.Interesting link over on the Explorer forum
http://www.tiger-explorer.com/images/Tiger_Explorer_Presentation.pdf
I know this is the GS forum and I have been on it for the last 7 years happy GS ownership.
I understand that 'preference' is subjective.
However -
I've put my money where my mouth is and bought a 12Ex. It gives me the same feeling that the 12GS did back then. Its very quick and completely footsure. Conventional suspension is not an issue when its as good as the Triumph set up.
The GS was not and is not perfect. The seat is cack, the riding position needs tweaking unless you are 5'10" and 15st. It has had faults over the years that have left riders stranded.
The Triumph also has some of the same issues, but you know what it still has 40BHP more and I'm pretty confident would kick any GSs ass. It has switchable traction control and CRUISE CONTROL something that has always annoyed me that the GS doesnt and cannot have. Fly-by-wire is fantastic and its not "too sensitive" as some have suggested, it is just right. If you can ride a GS smoothly you can ride the TEX smoother.
TT dont yet make loads of goodies but they will - and Triumph will sell 12TExs by the barrow load.
The 12GS was fantastic when it first came out, but BMW will have to go back to the drawing board to outshine this bike. I hope they do as the back up and accessories for the GS beat the crap out of the Triumph at this time, but the bike has to be 'that good' and it has just isnt at this time. It feels old and staid, kinda like the 1150 does compared to a 1200.
See it comes down to this, if you have something sooo good that everyone else wants to take its place on the perch, sooner or later someone will....! Sadly that time is now for the GS.
I was up until May a very happy GS owner. Now I am a happy TEX owner, and you know what, everywhere I park the TEX someone asks me about it. No-one does that to a GS anymore because they have become commonplace.
They were thinking, quite correctly, that under your left bumcheek is the best location for a power socket in which to plug your electric heated vest.
My conclusions......It was a great fun ride, but for me, strange as it sounds, too fast and the throttle way to sensative ( and far to sensative for off roading should it ever see any gravel!). I felt that i could have got it to the 130mph mark with no effort, but if i wanted that i would have a k1300 or similar. The GS uses it power in a much nicer way, and whilst you may have to plan that overtake a bit more carefully, is that such a bad thing. I like my ESA, my intergated fog light switch, & intergrated heated grip switch ( yet another switch on the Explorer). The GS has a bit more rider involvement, a bit more character, and so, for now, i will remain faithful to the cause, but is suspect that there will be a big following for the new kid on the block. It IS a great bike, just not for me.
Hope this helps
Richie
I have just paid £104 for the high seat option on thye Tex i've just orderedThe extra high seat is £162.00 or so I've been told
It's also a special layered gel and very very comfortable!