Which bike do you want reviewed

[Mokushi]

I haven't read the whole topic yet, so bear that in mind when reading this post...

Could you review a Triumph Street Triple? I hear good things about those.

[sapaul]

OK, got a few mins so,

KTM first.

As the bikes were being lined up for demo, KTM grabbed me and said they only trusted me to take the RC8 R out first as it was on new tyres. Duh like I was going to refuse. This bike is really expensive for us here running at 230 000 Souf Effricans ronts, so I had to go easy for the first few laps, but when I had her warmed up, whoooooohooooooo.

The fit and finish of the bike really does shout " money spent on R&D". The frame is taut and well balanced under hard acceleration and braking. The motor sounds a little rough until you realise that it's just getting started, like a slow song that suddenly bursts into life and makes your hair stand up. Throttle response is one of the best I have felt with perfect roll between on, off and feather, giving you plenty of time to get your body just right. Not that you have to work hard at all. Out off all the bikes I rode this one gets the thumbs up for sheer ease of riding. BMW also grabbed me for the S100RR and all I can say is if there were 2 boxers in a ring, the RC8 would be the boxer and the beemer the brawler.

Go here for some pics
http://www.zwartkops.co.za/e107_plugins ... 01&start=0

[Grey Thumper]

I can say is if there were 2 boxers in a ring, the RC8 would be the boxer and the beemer the brawler

This is really intriguing. What a tease. Hope you can elaborate when you've got more than a few minutes.

[sapaul]

What can I tell you, the S1000RR BMW is pure muscle, there really is nothing refined. It is honest and straightforward. Fabulous steering and balance but just raw grunt from the first twist.

The RC8 in comparison is like a really good Maitre 'd. Smooth, slick and extremely well mannered, deceptively so, that an unskilled rider will find him/herself in trouble very quickly.
The input from the BMW is direct, the KTM is much more subtle.

[Wrider]

Weird, you'd think it'd be the opposite judging from the engines they have in them.

[Grey Thumper]

Plus with all the beemer's electronics, I was expecting riding it would either feel more refined or more anaethetized, compared to the RC8.

[sapaul]

Mz33

We had an ER6 and a Tiger 1050 there. All I can tell you is that when the 6 came out I got to ride it at the same show, different track and I voted it bike of the show. Triumph have done it again with the Tiger. To go completely road with this bike and not make any pretense of off road capability has proved that this machine really is on top of the game.

The seating is a comfortable as you are going to get and seems to one of those machines that fits everyone, big or small. I do not know all the specs and I am only 5'7" but it is easy to mount and everything is in reach. It is a very handsome bike and looks modern although it does remind me of the early bandits. The 1050 motor is smooth and potent but misleading as you can easily revel in your pleasure and realise you are doing well over the limit. It handles well on the track without struggling although never going to beat track records it is very good for a day of fun and learning. The road characteristics come through with lack of wallow from the suspension although there is minimal adjustment. Never had to change from single rider to pillion and we pretty much had the same ride. If you want specs google them, I can only tell you from the seat of my pants.

Braking has no abs, yet I not once used the rear brake on the track only when coming down pit lane and that was just to try them. The front brakes are great for hard braking and I never got to the braking limit on them.

The ER6 and Versys are great bikes, Ii really like them both, but but but if I was to spend my own real money, I would skip them both for the Tiger.

[Grey Thumper]

The ER6 and Versys are great bikes, Ii really like them both, but but but if I was to spend my own real money, I would skip them both for the Tiger.

Wow, hope you get the chance to compare the Tiger with the new Multi, since they're essentially in the same "tall-rounder" category. Great that you've already got a GS as a benchmark, although I think that if someone did a significant portion of their riding on trails, I don't think they'd include the Multi (much less the Tiger) in their cross-shopping.

[HYPERR]

I'm in total amazement that BMW in their first real try built a sportbike that could compete with the Big Four.

By the way, I'm not sure but I think it was a link at the Ducati forum but there was a thread about a S1000RRs bending connecting rods from being dumped even at slow speeds and the crankcase hitting the pavement. Anybody else hear about this?

[jstark47]

By the way, I'm not sure but I think it was a link at the Ducati forum but there was a thread about a S1000RRs bending connecting rods from being dumped even at slow speeds and the crankcase hitting the pavement. Anybody else hear about this?

It was cross-posted on the BMW board at sport-touring.net, but they didn't give the source. Report was written in the 1st person, making it seem realistic..... but ya never know with the intardwebz.....