LC test ride

[Racer]

I borrowed a LC for a test during my 1150 GSs 24 k service.
Very impressed with it, I had made up my mind to buy the new KTM Adventure after having one of those on loan but have now changed my mind following the test ride.
Very light, more than adequate performance, nice dashboard functionality with useful modes.
there are a few minor observations that are just niggly and deffo not a show stopper :-
Very clunky selection of 1st
The seat, even on its high setting, Im only 5foot 10, felt quite low
The exhaust note was insipid, I know thats a beuracratic necessity but just an observation
The bike I had felt like it had a low freqency rumble, something akin to a crank knock, at constant cruising speeds, just a characteristic of the bike I guess

Would I buy one - Yes

Bye Bye KTM thoughts, hello Bank Manager
Rich

 

[pistole]

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2013/12/...l-record-motorcycle-sales-one-month-still-go/

 

[Nutty]

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2013/12/...l-record-motorcycle-sales-one-month-still-go/

 

[Giles]

I know the power of the KTM is exciting, and I'm a sucker for that eye ball popping rush that only a few bikes still deliver, but you're right - there's only so fast you can ride a decent country lane, and if two riders of similar abilities went out on both bikes, there wouldn't really be much in it. The odd long straight where 150 beats 140, but that's about it.

I'm very happy with mine, and genuinely can't think of a better bike for me at the moment.

 

[dave hendy]

I know the power of the KTM is exciting, and I'm a sucker for that eye ball popping rush that only a few bikes still deliver, but you're right - there's only so fast you can ride a decent country lane, and if two riders of similar abilities went out on both bikes, there wouldn't really be much in it. The odd long straight where 150 beats 140, but that's about it.

I'm very happy with mine, and genuinely can't think of a better bike for me at the moment.

+1 the bike even manages to put a smile on my face when the weather isn't great! It's almost the perfect bike.................?

 

[Rod]

+1 the bike even manages to put a smile on my face when the weather isn't great! It's almost the perfect bike.................?

Yes, almost the perfect bike........ I love my WC, 7500 miles now & going well BUT I would love a pure road bike with no concessions to off road, but also not a heavily biased tourer. I want a road/tour/track bike instead of a road/tour/off road bike !! It doesn't exist but I'm sure there is a big market for it. I'm looking forward to trying the S1000R & KTM 1290 Super Duke. With screens they might just fit the bill ......

 

[Nutty]

Yes, almost the perfect bike........ I love my WC, 7500 miles now & going well BUT I would love a pure road bike with no concessions to off road, but also not a heavily biased tourer. I want a road/tour/track bike instead of a road/tour/off road bike !! It doesn't exist but I'm sure there is a big market for it. I'm looking forward to trying the S1000R & KTM 1290 Super Duke. With screens they might just fit the bill ......

I'm also interested in the 1200 Monster

 

[tanneman]

Test ride tomorrow.

 

[Trekker3]

I borrowed a LC for a test during my 1150 GSs 24 k service.
Very impressed with it, I had made up my mind to buy the new KTM Adventure after having one of those on loan but have now changed my mind following the test ride.
Very light, more than adequate performance, nice dashboard functionality with useful modes.
there are a few minor observations that are just niggly and deffo not a show stopper :-
Very clunky selection of 1st
The seat, even on its high setting, Im only 5foot 10, felt quite low
The exhaust note was insipid, I know thats a beuracratic necessity but just an observation
The bike I had felt like it had a low freqency rumble, something akin to a crank knock, at constant cruising speeds, just a characteristic of the bike I guess

Would I buy one - Yes

Bye Bye KTM thoughts, hello Bank Manager
Rich

I would jump back on a 1190 and try it again, there's nothing to dislike about them at ALL!

 

[Rod]

I'm also interested in the 1200 Monster

We are high jacking the post, sorry......
I loved my Monster 1100S, did 10,000 in first year, even did 2000 mile Alps trip & several track days. Was excited to see the new 1200 at the NEC but for some reason was not excited. Also really pissed off that Ducati don't listen to customer comments re size of feet & heal/rear foot peg hanger interface ! You can't ride on the balls of your feet. However, the KTM fit like a glove, it's just stupid money !! & I love the BMW semi active suspension. KTM should have put this on their bike.

 

[Jumblemo]

The exhaust note was insipid, I know thats a beuracratic necessity but just an observation
Rich

The LC needs an Akra. Job done.

 

[dave hendy]

Yes, almost the perfect bike........ I love my WC, 7500 miles now & going well BUT I would love a pure road bike with no concessions to off road, but also not a heavily biased tourer. I want a road/tour/track bike instead of a road/tour/off road bike !! It doesn't exist but I'm sure there is a big market for it. I'm looking forward to trying the S1000R & KTM 1290 Super Duke. With screens they might just fit the bill ......

It's almost perfect as it is the best overall compromise I have found, it has to be comfortable 1 or 2 up, be able to carry luggage without being upset by it, be quick enough for most situations and put a smile on my face when I ride it!

It for fills all of those things pretty well, it could have a smoother engine, a better gearbox and sound a bit better but that's just picking hairs, every bike I have ridden has its flaws but the GS is the best I have found to date (for me). To make it better in some areas might make it worse in others. I could/may add a different silencer and a quick shifter which will help improve it but I can live with it as it is and be happy!!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I'm going to take one out in Spring, see if I can get a full day

I wasn't in the best frame of mind when I took one out earlier in the year

 

[Nutty]

The LC needs an Akra. Job done.

Noted.

 

[dave hendy]

I'm going to take one out in Spring, see if I can get a full day

I wasn't in the best frame of mind when I took one out earlier in the year

We had a full day on one in June, went to Austria the following weekend on our K1300R and spent the whole time wishing we were on the GS came home and ordered one!!

 

[Giles]

I'm going to take one out in Spring, see if I can get a full day

I wasn't in the best frame of mind when I took one out earlier in the year

It is a good bike! In the clacks crunches thread, it's had a right knocking, but I tell yer ... there's feck all wrong with mine! Yes the fly by wire throttle takes an hour or two to dial into if you've been on cables for twenty five years, but spend a whole day on it, think of it as a completely new bike (don't go there with a 'this is an updated twin cam bike' head on..) and have a good play with it. I'm not BM pissed by any stretch, I just think it's a pretty decent design ...

 

[Wrinkly]

Set off at 7am this morning to take mine the 67mls to Rotherham to have the push rod thing done.

Sat about for 3hrs (did go to the café next door. amazing ceiling !!) whilst they sorted it. Fed up and bored by the time it was done.

Somehow managed to turn the 67mls back home into 146mls and returned with a big smile on my face, this is one amazing bike and I just love riding it.
Rode through some proper muck and blather on some very gnarley back roads,suspension and traction control are a treat.

£14,600 well spent in my opinion.

Steve

 

[Paul S]

The LC needs an Akra. Job done.

Let's get this straight - the LC does not "need" an Akra.

Some LC owners think that their bikes are better with an Akra but they still perform perfectly adequately without one of these £800 exhausts















That said could not resist any longer and just ordered one from Cal Sport off fleabay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-R1200...pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item2a3514f8c0

£599.00 delivered - still bloody expensive but they do look nice

 

[Jumblemo]

The exhaust note was insipid, I know thats a beuracratic necessity but just an observation
Rich

The LC needs an Akra. Job done.

 

[Jumblemo]

£599.00 delivered - still bloody expensive but they do look nice

Let's get this straight - they don't look nice. They are large and ugly. But that's not the point. Ride an LC with an Akra for a day and then go back to a standard can and you will realise why it needs a more fitting exhaust.