S1000XR

[Wapping]

The integration of modern electronics into mainstream motorcycles' suspension now reasonably cheaply and certainly competitive against Ohlins, has been a huge leap forward.

Similarly, the latest electronic braking, throttle position / response and engine mapping technology (again becoming cheaper) is another.

I think we are looking at a revolution as absolute as the first breakerless ignition systems and the demise of the carbide lamp.

I owned and enjoyed one of the first carbureted Blackbirds but never really liked the linked brakes. I then had the first of the fuel injected models, which if I am truthful was never as good as the carb'ed version, forever 'hunting' around town, the linked brakes were better though. 27 years later, I am lucky enough to own an HP4, whose management systems are so good that a novice could past their test on one. Of course some will say: "They - the manufacturers - are making it too easy" but mans' entire progress since climbing down from the trees has been about making things easier; it's not going to suddenly stop with motorcycles.

 

[Bendy toy]

I would like to see some mechanical innovation to go with the electronics.

Bike gearboxes have really not fundamentally changed since the 1970s. "It's not broken..." etc, and we now have double clutch systems, but the basic gears are the same and waste about the same amount of power. Huge developments been made in engine gas flow, why can't that expertise be used to build low loss hydraulic drive systems. Off the shelf hydraulics will lose about 20%. It can't be beyond the wit of BMW et al to slash that dramatically and give us reliable and efficient transmissions.

Drive chains. We have big linked self lubed single row rollers and we have drive belts. What about small linked double row rollers running in oil? Cost would be less than a shaft drive, vibration minimal and its good engineering. Police Norton rotaries were doing 80,000 miles on a drive chain with no adjustments. The chain case design does not have to be a Honda Cub (or CG125) slab side box so style need not be an issue.

The huge wooden wonder in another thread has so much crap around the rear wheel, the lowest cost but best engineered option could be used with zero regard to style because its completely hidden. Who ever thought a transverse crank and gearbox driving though two bevel gears is a good idea needs to be sacked.

 

[Engineer]

Would that be the occasional Summer Sunday ride out when you can absolutely guarantee that there will be no road debris whatsoever waiting to puncture that hideously large and no doubt overly expensive radiator/oil cooler assembly

Twas only yesterday that I spotted a LC GSA sat on it's side sidestand dribbling coolant like a pissed up tramp and yes, you guessed it, the radiator had been holed by a stone

OK the two LC exceptions out of 10,000+ that prove the rule
PS the XR will defo need a radiator guard to protect it and subsequently cause the engine to over heat

 

[Flipfly]

OK the two LC exceptions out of 10,000+ that prove the rule
PS the XR will defo need a radiator guard to protect it and subsequently cause the engine to over heat

I saw a poor 1200 oil head being loaded onto the back of an AA wagon on my way home from Dent, apparently it kept cutting out. Must have been allergic to water

 

[andysdad]

OK the two LC exceptions out of 10,000+ that prove the rule
PS the XR will defo need a radiator guard to protect it and subsequently cause the engine to over heat

The K12/1300GT are both prone to radiators blocking with road-crud (then corroding and leaking) quite apart from suffering potential stone damage. Various fixes including sliding a mesh behind the surround to reduce ingress; no overheating results.

The XR has much more area low-down behind the back of the front wheel so probably will be worse for damage and crud! Seems an obvious design flaw to me but I realise many bikes (older VFR) have the same design.

That said, the XR looks a great bike and suitable for a trip to Tesco's.....

 

[Engineer]

The K12/1300GT are both prone to radiators blocking with road-crud (then corroding and leaking) quite apart from suffering potential stone damage. Various fixes including sliding a mesh behind the surround to reduce ingress; no overheating results.

The XR has much more area low-down behind the back of the front wheel so probably will be worse for damage and crud! Seems an obvious design flaw to me but I realise many bikes (older VFR) have the same design.

That said, the XR looks a great bike and suitable for a trip to Tesco's.....

Indeed - a nice bike and I would like to have one alongside the GS, but it is not an 'everyday' bike in my opinion.

 

[Bendy toy]

The K12/13/16 have louvred radiator intakes. Great idea, but the air intake slots face downwards ideally angled to direct crud off the front wheel straight into the radiator. Simply having the slots facing up would reduce crud intake by a huge percentage.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

The thought of one of these greatly appeals to me and when the warranty runs out on my ADV i may well give on a go !

It will carry all the luggage i need and indeed shopping from

It will go further on a tank full than i can go without a fag

I have had chains before and chains these days last a lot longer than they used to (mate with super duke gets 20k from a chain )

Just think of the KTM kicking ability after a remap with a full akro system !

 

[Nutty]

Just think of the KTM kicking ability after a remap with a full akro system !

You won't need either, to spank a KTM!

 

[Giles]

Is that another gauntlet Nutty ... !?

 

[RedRick Esq.]

You won't need either, to spank a KTM!

If i have to come clean which i will ......

I had all on to keep with Giles on saturday but i think that is down to his riding god status as the performance on those roads didn't feel too far apart !

The posing wanker was up on the pegs at quite decent speeds shifting his scrawny frame about trying to look good

 

[Nutty]

Is that another gauntlet Nutty ... !?

There wasn't a first one. But it will.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Is that another gauntlet Nutty ... !?

More of a GS dry glove than a gauntlet !

 

[Nutty]

If i have to come clean which i will ......

I had all on to keep with Giles on saturday but i think that is down to his riding god status as the performance on those roads didn't feel too far apart !

The posing wanker was up on the pegs at quite decent speeds shifting his scrawny frame about trying to look good

That's the thing. In the real world there's not much between all these bikes, it's the rider. Bollocks, did I just praise Giles in some back handed way?

 

[Giles]

That's because that section of bumpy road was giving my bollox a proper hammering ...

 

[RedRick Esq.]

That's because that section of bumpy road was giving my bollox a proper hammering ...

Aha ! Catos suspension is no match for the superior GSA then !!

 

[Giles]

I think I was wearing my oldest baggiest pants ..... no support you see ....

 

[RedRick Esq.]

I think I was wearing my oldest baggiest pants ..... no support you see ....

Hang on i may have a photo of those ........

 

[Nutty]

Hang on i may have a photo of those ........

Please don't

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Sheesh ..... the roads between Kent and Surrey must be littered with Gauntlets!!