Is motorcycling allowed?

[IceCreamMan]

Unless you doing ultra rides through Europe the gold wing is a waste here. I can do 600 mile days on my rf. that’s more n enough.
 

Most Brits do very little mileage. Can’t commute on goldwing either. 

[Hairy]

10 minutes ago, IceCreamMan said:

Unless you doing ultra rides through Europe the gold wing is a waste here. I can do 600 mile days on my rf. that’s more n enough.
 

Most Brits do very little mileage. Can’t commute on goldwing either. 

I stopped at Metal Heads to sit on a couple of Road Kings and the like .... they feel nice, but when I get back on the Fat Bob it feels "small and nimble" in comparison .... will take my time and look for hard shell lockable panniers for the FB and keep her for some time .

 

[Hairy]

I also had a guy come flying past on his RnineT in traffic with a really really really lovely looking lady on the back .... the bike was also nice

 

[patches]

9 hours ago, Andrew_Smith said:

Correct, new noob rider learning the ropes slowly but surely.

Started with a BMW G450X but sadly I had problems with it, after getting it fix at BMW I'll decided to sell it to get something better suited for longer miles and service intervals.

Got a bargain on a BMW G650X through a friend and been happy ever since.

I probably have 2000km behind my name, so still a fresh spawn in the motorcycling world but I am loving it. My poor bakkie is just being used for bad weather and a weekly shopping run, otherwise I always choose the bike.

I think a basic off-road course would be a great idea, anyone you could perhaps recommend here in the Northern Suburbs, Cape Town?

One of my colleagues is a massive BMW fan (bikes and cars). I think especially as they're not very common over here. Barely ever see a GS.

He managed to scoop himself a G650X with a long range tank and he's in love. Seems like a great ride for a more off-road orientated mid-size that doesn't weigh a ton.

So yeah, no surprise that you're loving your 650 ????

Somewhere between the dual-sport (WR450's and DRZ400's) and mid-size adventures (T700's and 790/890 Adventure R's) exists the mythical bigger-dual-sport. Bikes like your G650X, 701's and 690's. These days there's only really the 701 and 690's readily available. It would be great for ze Germans or Japanese to weigh in on the matter (DR650's don't count as they are just 2 wheeled tractors).

Imagine a WR650... a CR600... a 2023 XR600R.

Edited October 21, 2021 by patches

[Andrew_Smith]

13 minutes ago, patches said:

One of my colleagues is a massive BMW fan (bikes and cars). I think especially as they're not very common over here. Barely ever see a GS.

He managed to scoop himself a G650X with a long range tank and he's in love. Seems like a great ride for a more off-road orientated mid-size that doesn't weigh a ton.

So yeah, no surprise that you're loving your 650 ????

Somewhere between the dual-sport (WR450's and DRZ400's) and mid-size adventures (T700's and 790/890 Adventure R's) exists the mythical bigger-dual-sport. Bikes like your G650X, 701's and 690's. These days there's only really the 701 and 690's readily available. It would be great for ze Germans or Japanese to weigh in on the matter (DR650's don't count as they are just 2 wheeled tractors).

Imagine a WR650... a CR600... a 2023 XR600R.

Very interesting, would have never guessed.

I totally agree with you on that point. I mean there isn't options available in that cc size which is a pity since I feel that is the sweet spot for power and weight. Why don't they make models in 650cc range anymore? Would love to know because I think there is a big gap in the market. Or is everyone honestly seeking only horsepower over everything else?

The Husky 701 is a beautiful bike but quite pricey.

2023 XR600R would be rad! Bulletproof bikes those, tipiese plaasbike. Even second hand they are sought after and still keep their value good.

[patches]

1 hour ago, Andrew_Smith said:

Very interesting, would have never guessed.

I totally agree with you on that point. I mean there isn't options available in that cc size which is a pity since I feel that is the sweet spot for power and weight. Why don't they make models in 650cc range anymore? Would love to know because I think there is a big gap in the market. Or is everyone honestly seeking only horsepower over everything else?

The Husky 701 is a beautiful bike but quite pricey.

2023 XR600R would be rad! Bulletproof bikes those, tipiese plaasbike. Even second hand they are sought after and still keep their value good.

From my understanding I believe carbon emission standards come into it. The Austrians are pretty good at getting dirty-dirt-bike engines across the Thunberg line. They manage it with their big-bore singles and their 2-bangers (mostly thanks to EFI systems).

For all the others though, the effort is probably not worth the reward, and the addition of fuel injection raises price and complexity. that's why they just do the twin thing, and stick them in the mid-weight adventurers (T700, Versys etc).

A re-engineered XR600 or DR650 (meeting modern standards) may be enticing to a fair few people, but with the price point pushed up too, I think many in that market will just rationalise the extra spend on an Austrian thoroughbred.

EDIT: that's why I think it may be up to ze Germans to come up with a contender. They were already fuel injecting their big-bores (like your G650X) and to pay the premium for a BM, over a Japanese bike, may be more palatable. But I think BM is making too much money by selling GS's to dentists and lawyers to care about reinventing the G650X ????

Edited October 21, 2021 by patches

[RocknRolla]

I Loved my 650rotax. Put 120k kms on till I sold it on. That motor had such lekker low down torque. 
The 800 twin is a sweet motor, but I still miss the thumper.

[Hairy]

It has taken me a while to get into the side head greeting and I still find myself occasionally using the left hand slight raise with a peace sign greeting

 

 

 

[Andrew_Smith]

Playing in the sand - quite a experience.

[sawystertrance]

Ha. The GS in normal sand pose. Just kidding. That sand looks very tricky for any bike and kudos to you guys for attempting it. Good fun and very good practice.

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

5 hours ago, sawystertrance said:

Ha. The GS in normal sand pose. Just kidding. That sand looks very tricky for any bike and kudos to you guys for attempting it. Good fun and very good practice.

Like a zebra, when it see's the sand it wants to roll......

[Andymann]

7 hours ago, Andrew_Smith said:

Playing in the sand - quite a experience.

Stand up, look up, open up........

Gray Dick taught me that early on at Yamaha

[mazambaan]

16 hours ago, Andymann said:

Stand up, look up, open up........

Gray Dick taught me that early on at Yamaha

and if it doesn't work at least you get the crash over with quickly ????. What worked for Gray Dick may not have worked for all of us mere mortals.

[Spokey]

On 10/21/2021 at 1:34 PM, Andrew_Smith said:

Very true, every second bike you see here on the road is a GS but I think it is for good reason - it is just fantastic bikes and they clearly have the market.

I have seen a few riders stating that they tried other alternative options but they keep coming back to the GS.

Since there is a lot on the road, parts should also not be a problem at all.

Garden Route is GS territory by a long shot. The very reason I bought the Katoom! Seriously though, I had my eye on a Yammie Super Ten in fine fettle and at a good price. Was keen on the Yam due to reliability. I so nearly laid down the Randellas and then bought the Katoom on what can only be described as an impulse buy. I have done around 20 000kms in the 19 months I have owned the bike and that is with about 7 months away at work. (Been home a lot due to Covid) The bike has proved to be very reliable. I would really like to try a Yam T7 for the more tech stuff but they are still really pricy 2nd hand. I would likely chose that over a Katoom 7/890 due to the simplicity of the bike.

Anyone on here own a T7? let is know your feelings of the bike!

[Andrew_Smith]

 

[sawystertrance]

Spokey, Are you over in Kuwait now? If so, why don't you hire one for a day or so to give yourself a feel for it.