7 years ago I sold my 1200 air cooled GS and bought a Triumph Explorer. It’s been a good bike and when I bought it was significantly better all round than then GS I replaced (although it has been tweaked a bit).
I am now getting to the stage when I don’t want to be fighting with a 275kg beast every time I stop and I am really am noticing how heavy it is.
Last year tried several new bikes to see if anything filled that gap, basically wanting similar power levels, seating position and toys but significantly lower CoG or lighter or both......
So last few weeks tried, new 1200XRX (same big lump but smoother and new toys). Tiger sport, terrific ride and slight but very old tech and uncomfortable
S1000XR... ballistically quick but (sorry if you own one) makes a song and dance about it and very sparse in the electrics dept....
R1250R in lieu of the RS, cramped seating position for a big old twat BUT.....that engine? wow.
So bit the bullet and tried a 1250GS TE. Now when the first 1200LC came out I obviously had to try it against the Explorer and it was horrid. I have always been a fan of the Telelever and how it rides but they really f****d something up on that version and I hated riding it. It was skittish and unstable and quite unsettling. IIRC most of that first batch were recalled and a steering damper fitted....?
Anyway got on the 1250 a little apprehensively and had to stop almost immediately to put the seat in the low position. Once changed tho’"........
WHAT A BIKE! Light (low CoG), really easy to use everything, clever but not needing a teenager electronics, engaging and confidence inspiring handling and the engine is sublime with enough torque to tow a caravan....
I have been saying to Mrs Burp , “is it good enough to get rid of 2 bikes to justify having one? “ so far everything else I have ridden has been a resounding NO.
But, today we are popping out to order a new TE Exclusive....
I am now getting to the stage when I don’t want to be fighting with a 275kg beast every time I stop and I am really am noticing how heavy it is.
Last year tried several new bikes to see if anything filled that gap, basically wanting similar power levels, seating position and toys but significantly lower CoG or lighter or both......
So last few weeks tried, new 1200XRX (same big lump but smoother and new toys). Tiger sport, terrific ride and slight but very old tech and uncomfortable
S1000XR... ballistically quick but (sorry if you own one) makes a song and dance about it and very sparse in the electrics dept....
R1250R in lieu of the RS, cramped seating position for a big old twat BUT.....that engine? wow.
So bit the bullet and tried a 1250GS TE. Now when the first 1200LC came out I obviously had to try it against the Explorer and it was horrid. I have always been a fan of the Telelever and how it rides but they really f****d something up on that version and I hated riding it. It was skittish and unstable and quite unsettling. IIRC most of that first batch were recalled and a steering damper fitted....?
Anyway got on the 1250 a little apprehensively and had to stop almost immediately to put the seat in the low position. Once changed tho’"........
WHAT A BIKE! Light (low CoG), really easy to use everything, clever but not needing a teenager electronics, engaging and confidence inspiring handling and the engine is sublime with enough torque to tow a caravan....
I have been saying to Mrs Burp , “is it good enough to get rid of 2 bikes to justify having one? “ so far everything else I have ridden has been a resounding NO.
But, today we are popping out to order a new TE Exclusive....