GSA v Ducati M/S v Yamaha Ten

I really wanted the Yamaha to be a good bike, after riding the BMW, MTS and Tiger I prefered the BMW so was hoping the Yamaha would be a reliable version of the BM.

I dug up a load of road tests and they all told the same sorry story of the Yamaha, so much so I decided I would be better off broken down at the side of the road with the BMW than riding a very expensive bike that offers little enjoyment.

The MTS does a different job, and fair play does it very well, but after 30 years you would have thought someone would be able to come up with a bike that can challenge the GS!

The VFR derived Honda may be the one for road use, but cannot see it being capable on anything other than fast smooth tarmac.
 
Glad I have bought the right bike last year.....a GSA after being in such a mentally draining dilemna on deciding between GSA and Multi-Strada after demo tests on both! I must say MS is great for power and speed while GSA has superior versatility! However, drawn from my past experience on touring I finally chose GSA. MS would definitely be my second bike had I got spare cash to splash on though! :)
 
bmwbikeruk said:
Glad I have bought the right bike last year.....a GSA after being in such a mentally draining dilemna on deciding between GSA and Multi-Strada after demo tests on both! I must say MS is great for power and speed while GSA has superior versatility! However, drawn from my past experience on touring I finally chose GSA. MS would definitely be my second bike had I got spare cash to splash on though! :)
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My fear is that the MS would egg you to ride too fast :eek:

Does anyone like the look of the Ten? I think it's one of the ugliest bikes I've ever seen :eek

:adv:
 
Never considered the KTM, it just does not look comfy (especially for two up) and the older I get the better a shaft drive looks, just a few months with the GS and I never want to go back to chain hassle again - if the FD lasted longer than a chain it would be perfect.
 
snerkler said:
My fear is that the MS would egg you to ride too fast :eek:

Does anyone like the look of the Ten? I think it's one of the ugliest bikes I've ever seen :eek

:adv:
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I went to see it at the launch at the Istanbul bike show, which was very strange and almost as though Yamaha were embarrassed with it. It shared a small stand with a 250cc commuter bike, at the very end of their main stand, and other than a Turkish Yamaha man telling everyone he didn't know the answers to their questions, there was no one around. They dropped a huge clanger though, by having the KTM stand directly opposite to the Tenere stand, which had 4 990advs in full adventure kit no more than 3 meters away. The Yam didn't stand a chance.

In my opinion the Tenere, if Yamaha had had the guts, could have been a GS beater. It had the pedigree and Yamaha's years of experience. But they seem to have decided to compete with Honda instead and have produced a lemon. It's too expensive, too heavy and yes, too bloody ugly.
 
Rasher said:
Never considered the KTM, it just does not look comfy (especially for two up) and the older I get the better a shaft drive looks, just a few months with the GS and I never want to go back to chain hassle again - if the FD lasted longer than a chain it would be perfect.
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Why does everyone think a chain is so much hassle? 2 mins with a can once a week job done. Am I missing something?

I'd rather spray my chain once in a while than worry about the FD eating itself.

Fair point about the KTM 2 up - not as good as the GS.
 
iaindoha said:
Why does everyone think a chain is so much hassle? 2 mins with a can once a week job done. Am I missing something?

I'd rather spray my chain once in a while than worry about the FD eating itself.

Fair point about the KTM 2 up - not as good as the GS.
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The chain isn't 'that much' hassle, it's just more hassle especially when touring. Also, chain adjusting can be a ball ache sometimes to get both sides lined up equal.
 
ExpatinIstanbul said:
The blurb on the website says "the ABS and traction control provide a welcome safety net to an off-road novice.". I though ABS was a no-no off road.
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I know :blast I did comment on that, but it looks like they did not post it. Wonder if they teach you that in the skills course.
 
The odd adjustment is OK, as is the weekly (or less) oiling, but the two things that annoy me are:

1. The amount of shite that is always on your back wheel within minutes of cleaning the bike.
2. Keeping it lubed when touring, OK for those who never venture further than the local pub, but whenever I have gone touring at some point it has pissed down and within a few miles the chain is completely stripped of lube, stopping every 30 minuites to try and re-apply oil to a wet chain is no good so you end up riding with it bone dry and then have to get up the next morning and get all messy trying to oil it.

I would have added carrying around the lube, but I guess that will just be swapped for a can of engine oil with the GS.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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