MCN Today

[Engineer]

Did they really put the old GS first

I've seen so many tests where the KTM was better, then the Ducati was better, they just talk a load of B*llocks.

Why is the KTM better?, which version of the GS did they ride?, what were the test criteria?

If I was going to buy a new bike, I'd test ride the ones I was interested in and buy the one I liked best. I certainly wouldn't take the words of MCN as anything more than something to read whilst having a shite

I agree, it is MCN after all BUT it is great publicity and the bike deserves it because it really is a great bike.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

....................

Pretty sure Ewan says that he always wanted to the BMW's...

EDIT: http://youtu.be/Riu8_M4fLq4

Yes I think you're right IIRC, initially that was true but he was brought round by Charllie to go for the KTM's

Lucky Charlie. He could so easily have ended up looking like the decca records executive who turned the beatles down.

I doubt he'd have the high flying career he now has if he'd have been able to ride his bike of choice.
That's why i take any of his opinions and verbal offerings with a large pinch of canvey island sea salt.

..........and that, I feel, is very true (seei Crapauds post)

Andres

 

[Mad_Accountant]

..........and other than a shite marketing descision what exactly does that say about KTM bikes (other than nothing)

What about the fact that the two riders, especially Charlie, desperatly wanted to use KTM's and were not happy about having to use the Bavarian offering

Andres

Incorrect, Charlie wanted KTM Ewen wanted BMW.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Incorrect, Charlie wanted KTM Ewen wanted BMW.

See my post above

Andres

 

[APE]

What about the fact that the two riders, especially Charlie, desperatly wanted to use KTM's and were not happy about having to use the Bavarian offering

Andres

I think that says it all

 

[jtb]

It has a chain - forget it !

+1

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

It has a chain - forget it !

Cheaper than a £1200 FD fail....................out of warranty

Surely..........as an accountant, you can do the numbers

 

[NorthernBoy]

These bikes are all similar enough, and competent enough, that personal preference is going to ted to outweigh genuine differences in ability.

I quite faniced the new multistrada, and was also pretty happy with my GS, but just enjoyed the new one a bit more, so switched. If someone else prefers another option, then I'd not feel able to argue that they were objectively wrong, and I'd certainly not think that I could make negative assumptions about them based on their choice.

 

[Pauly S]

To be fair

Cheaper than a £1200 FD fail....................out of warranty

Surely..........as an accountant, you can do the numbers

whos to say the final drives are going to fail?
they may have got it right this time .At last.
I'm sure with all the bollox of the previous two models this should be game sat and match by now on the new models,though time will tell.

The way in which bmw win every time is the infrastructure,you can go to virtually any major town anywhere and find a dealer.
Try that with ktm when your gigglestick drops off.Your off road till the posty arrives.
And to be honest, if its a bmw warranty repair its done quickly, with a coffee and a smile.
A few years ago a mate of mine had a suzuki bandit 1200 with 8k on the clock at 18months old when the fork seals leaked, he was told to firk off,as its wear and tear by the suzuki dealer.

in my opinion you need to ride the lot, and make up your own mind,wear what colour you like the most,and most importantly enjoy doing it.
Dont listen to some knobhead journo whos being paid to write about their normally biased views anyways, the only decent writer i used to follow(ash) is now dead ,although sometimes he was controversial,but entertaining and wasnt afraid to say black is black.

Good luck to them all i say, there all bikes and i love them all.

 

[Mad_Accountant]

Cheaper than a £1200 FD fail....................out of warranty

Surely..........as an accountant, you can do the numbers

Point 1. It won't fail
Point 2. If it does warranty will cover it
Point 3. Chains wear out regularly and are expensive to replace
Point 4. Chains are a pain to maintain

 

[Malvern_Beemer]

My R1200GSA final drive went recently (out of warranty), BMW replaced it at no cost to me. No fuss, no drama just great service. Would KTM do that (could they afford to)? I'm not saying they wouldn't as I have no experience of their service. Just asking the question of others who have.
I must admit that had the 1190R been kitted out with a shaft drive I would give it serious consideration when it comes time to replace my GSA as everything i've seen and heard about it to date indicates that it's a superb bike but having to go back to a chain would be a deal breaker for me.

 

[Mad_Accountant]

Hmmm I can have a 1200LC or I can have a KTM.

Let me think about this one for a nanosecond...,

 

[Pauly S]

well....

Hmmm I can have a 1200LC or I can have a KTM.

Let me think about this one for a nanosecond...,

are you still thinking? its been over 5 minutes..

 

[PaulW]

Hmmm I can have a 1200LC or I can have a KTM.

Let me think about this one for a nanosecond...,

Stop dithering about, you know which is best

 

[Mad_Accountant]

are you still thinking? its been over 5 minutes..

Excellent! Actually I decided on the Sunday after the launch (when I first rode one). I am being encouraged to put a deposit down for the new Adventure (not even announced yet) as I'm not buying until March 2014.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

whos to say the final drives are going to fail?
they may have got it right this time .At last.

They said about the new GS in 2004................sealed for life, nothing needed for 100k

Point 1. It won't fail. You're such a believer
Point 2. If it does warranty will cover it £300 a year plus £300 for dealer service, after Year 2 or stump £3k to change to get a new bike & warranty
Point 3. Chains wear out regularly and are expensive to replace Not as expensive as FD, warranties and dealer servicing
Point 4. Chains are a pain to maintain Only for the lazy and/or inept

Oh.............to be so naive

 

[Flipfly]

I agree, it is MCN after all BUT it is great publicity and the bike deserves it because it really is a great bike.

I'm fairly sure it'll be alot better than MCN claim. The KTM will no doubt be more "hardcore" blah blah, stronger engine, blah blah, handles sharper, blah blah.
Ultimately most owners will be touring, riding reasonably sensibly (sub 100mph) and will slow down more than they need to for the bends. That's not a pop at 1200LCs just a simple fact that most of us don't ride past 70-80% of any bikes ability. Better bikes don't mean everyone rides loads quicker, just that riders use less percentage of the available performance.

So the KTM being that little bit sharper, little bit quicker etc is only good for bragging rights. Real world mph, comfort and a million other things are the deciding factor as to which bike is best. Speed etc should be one of the last things on the list.

I had a giggle with the 1200LC guys in the beginning because straight away it was "it's sooooo fast", "it handles sooooo much better". Simple fact is, relative to the other bikes available at the time, GS's have always been overweight, handled ok and been underpowered, they do however have that "X" factor that those who know and ride them love dearly.

The 1200LC may handle better, may be way soooo much quicker, it's all nonsense unless you ride it at 100%. Otherwise all you are getting is a bike that is actually just easier to ride. But "I can't believe it man, I bought the new 1200 and man, it's just like loads easier to ride" doesn't really sound too impressive does it

SO when KTM man says "yeah, but the KTM is waaaaaay sharper than your 1200LC" just smile and complement him for being able to ride so fast, he's full of shit!!!

 

[Engineer]

I'm fairly sure it'll be alot better than MCN claim. The KTM will no doubt be more "hardcore" blah blah, stronger engine, blah blah, handles sharper, blah blah.
Ultimately most owners will be touring, riding reasonably sensibly (sub 100mph) and will slow down more than they need to for the bends. That's not a pop at 1200LCs just a simple fact that most of us don't ride past 70-80% of any bikes ability. Better bikes don't mean everyone rides loads quicker, just that riders use less percentage of the available performance.

So the KTM being that little bit sharper, little bit quicker etc is only good for bragging rights. Real world mph, comfort and a million other things are the deciding factor as to which bike is best. Speed etc should be one of the last things on the list.

I had a giggle with the 1200LC guys in the beginning because straight away it was "it's sooooo fast", "it handles sooooo much better". Simple fact is, relative to the other bikes available at the time, GS's have always been overweight, handled ok and been underpowered, they do however have that "X" factor that those who know and ride them love dearly.

The 1200LC may handle better, may be way soooo much quicker, it's all nonsense unless you ride it at 100%. Otherwise all you are getting is a bike that is actually just easier to ride. But "I can't believe it man, I bought the new 1200 and man, it's just like loads easier to ride" doesn't really sound too impressive does it

SO when KTM man says "yeah, but the KTM is waaaaaay sharper than your 1200LC" just smile and complement him for being able to ride so fast, he's full of shit!!!

There are many bikes faster than the GS, the new LC is just faster and better handling than the older GSes, so it's well worth up-grading if you think those two things alone are worth it, it is improved in many other ways too.

Regardless of what the competitors bikes are like, the GS has been steadily evolving over the years and steadily been getting better and better - BMW have done it again with this new bike and pitched it just right, my bet is that it will remain top of the sales charts.

 

[jonnyp]

IIRC they tried a Honda first and both liked that but as mentioned, CB was for the KTM and I agree for him, what a mistake that would have been as he's on the BM payroll. Doubt he would be on KTM's now.

I got told once by a chap from KTM that the LWR crew asked for 3 bikes + 1 spare and £150k - I guess KTM must have kicked themselves for years but I also recall BM were happy to go with it pass or fail, KTM sent in a consultant who said they would never make it and so got KTM to back out. Bet he was popular!!

I will be honest, I'm a CB fan, and one of the reasons I got my first GS (not my first BMW) was because of LWR, there don't care...said it!

But I did ride a 990 first (twice) and to this day I still say it was a hoot but would I, with my own money.....narr.

It's the whole package, dealers, shaft drive....and all the above.

I do draw the line at the twat suit though ...

 

[Flipfly]

SO when KTM man says "yeah, but the KTM is waaaaaay sharper than your 1200LC" just smile and complement him for being able to ride so fast, he's full of shit!!!

the new LC is just faster and better handling than the older GSes, so it's well worth up-grading if you think those two things alone are worth it, it is improved in many other ways too.
.

"Wow, you must be a great rider, are you a racer or summat?"