Fireblade to a GS1250, 1000XR, Triumph Tiger 1200 or...?
Discussion
I have started this thread as I'm at a bit of a loss.
I contributed here :-
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
About joining the dark side of biking with a GS1250 however not wanting to hijack it I've started this.
My 69 plate blade SP is just too uncomfortable for me now and I've not bothered doing a track day for years so time to consider my options.
I also have a little f700GS which always complimented by sports bikes well but as I'm kow thinking about just having 1 bike so it must be able to do everything reasonably well and the f700 is just too slow for me as an only bike.
In short I recently arranged a demo of the 2 beemers and I'm not at this stage 100% convinced of either.
Firstly they sent me out on the GSA which was just too tall for me (little legs
)
It did handle very well and I instantly had confidence in the front end sticking but having heard all this talk of instant torque and power down low yet I felt a tad underwhelmed by the performance side. My impression officer was it would be all over by 120mph ish so the excitement side was lacking.
The quick shifter was a waste of time and the seat was very hard and uncomfortable so more money to change that.
The XR was more familiar being an inline 4 and I was happy with the performance side yet I don't think it was as confidence inspiring as the GS to immediately push on in the bends. Maybe that would just come with familiarity?
However the seat was awful, again really hard and lacking a bit of room to move around.
I didn't think wind protection was great on either bike but the clocks were easy enough to work with and read.
Eqp on both pretty similar (TE specs)
So I'm left with thinking I prob need to reassess the GS by getting out on a lower bike but that wouldn't make it feel quicker, so maybe not.
I could live with either bike but not sure I would ever love them.
I have now just booked a Triumph 1200 Gt Pro demo for later this week but I'm not that familiar with triumph brand in terms of faults quality and dealer service??
It looks on paper as it may fall between the 2 beemers
More Sporty than a GS but less than an XR yet still as comfy as the GS ergonomics. Suppose I will find out but if anyone has any insights on it I would love to hear them.
Unfortunately I don't have easy access to a ducati / KTM dealer (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) as nearest is about 80 plus miles away.
In summary I was expecting the GS to be super comfy and surprisingly quick and agile yet I found the seat hard with relatively slow performance although it did feel surprisingly agile for a big bike, hence a small amount of frustration and disappointment .
I contributed here :-
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
About joining the dark side of biking with a GS1250 however not wanting to hijack it I've started this.
My 69 plate blade SP is just too uncomfortable for me now and I've not bothered doing a track day for years so time to consider my options.
I also have a little f700GS which always complimented by sports bikes well but as I'm kow thinking about just having 1 bike so it must be able to do everything reasonably well and the f700 is just too slow for me as an only bike.
In short I recently arranged a demo of the 2 beemers and I'm not at this stage 100% convinced of either.
Firstly they sent me out on the GSA which was just too tall for me (little legs
)It did handle very well and I instantly had confidence in the front end sticking but having heard all this talk of instant torque and power down low yet I felt a tad underwhelmed by the performance side. My impression officer was it would be all over by 120mph ish so the excitement side was lacking.
The quick shifter was a waste of time and the seat was very hard and uncomfortable so more money to change that.
The XR was more familiar being an inline 4 and I was happy with the performance side yet I don't think it was as confidence inspiring as the GS to immediately push on in the bends. Maybe that would just come with familiarity?
However the seat was awful, again really hard and lacking a bit of room to move around.
I didn't think wind protection was great on either bike but the clocks were easy enough to work with and read.
Eqp on both pretty similar (TE specs)
So I'm left with thinking I prob need to reassess the GS by getting out on a lower bike but that wouldn't make it feel quicker, so maybe not.
I could live with either bike but not sure I would ever love them.
I have now just booked a Triumph 1200 Gt Pro demo for later this week but I'm not that familiar with triumph brand in terms of faults quality and dealer service??
It looks on paper as it may fall between the 2 beemers
More Sporty than a GS but less than an XR yet still as comfy as the GS ergonomics. Suppose I will find out but if anyone has any insights on it I would love to hear them.
Unfortunately I don't have easy access to a ducati / KTM dealer (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) as nearest is about 80 plus miles away.
In summary I was expecting the GS to be super comfy and surprisingly quick and agile yet I found the seat hard with relatively slow performance although it did feel surprisingly agile for a big bike, hence a small amount of frustration and disappointment .
I know I'm not allowed to say anything negative about the GS without suffering the wrath of "the collective" so I’ll be careful how I word this. 
That was a joke for those in "the collective" who have had the sense of humor by-pass!
The bikes you mention are all adventure styled, even the XR. Is adventure styling a "must have"? Do you need/want to go off road?
If not then why not look at the likes of the R1250RS, the GSXS1000GT and the Ninja 1000SX? (and, of course, the H2 SX). These are more relaxed than your ‘Blade and all can come with the same sort of options (luggage, heated whatever etc.) that the likes of the GS offer.
That was a joke for those in "the collective" who have had the sense of humor by-pass!
The bikes you mention are all adventure styled, even the XR. Is adventure styling a "must have"? Do you need/want to go off road?
If not then why not look at the likes of the R1250RS, the GSXS1000GT and the Ninja 1000SX? (and, of course, the H2 SX). These are more relaxed than your ‘Blade and all can come with the same sort of options (luggage, heated whatever etc.) that the likes of the GS offer.
As in the other thread, I have a GS1200 (LC) and yes, while it has bags of low end grunt it will run out of puff after about 110 (obviously I was in Germany!). But, it will still at 100mph all day if you want it to (again, in Germany). Question then, how often are you going to be doing over 100mph??
Jumping off a 200bhp sports bikes on a big ADV or Tourer is of course going to be a change and you will lose some stuff (pin sharp handling, extreme speed) but you gain other stuff.
As for comfort. I often thing the seat on my GS us to soft so I wonder what they're done to the new ones?? You defo need to try either a low seat or low chassis option for more confidence.
I would strongly suggest you try a KTM1290GT - a good compromise in the XR camp but with way more character. It's a real hooligan (which didn't suit me) but will all the bells and whistles of an ADV/Tourer.
Jumping off a 200bhp sports bikes on a big ADV or Tourer is of course going to be a change and you will lose some stuff (pin sharp handling, extreme speed) but you gain other stuff.
As for comfort. I often thing the seat on my GS us to soft so I wonder what they're done to the new ones?? You defo need to try either a low seat or low chassis option for more confidence.
I would strongly suggest you try a KTM1290GT - a good compromise in the XR camp but with way more character. It's a real hooligan (which didn't suit me) but will all the bells and whistles of an ADV/Tourer.
Longy00000 said:
More Sporty than a GS but less than an XR yet still as comfy as the GS ergonomics .
What you’re describing is the R1250RS, not as tall as the GS so that shouldn’t be an issue, still “just” the 135hp, its at the sporty end of a sports tourer by BMW standards & the tourey end of a sports tourer by everyone else’s! As Black K1 says it sounds like what you want is a road focused sports tourer rather than an adventure bike? A few of you have mentioned the adventure type styling and yes that was what I was after as
A. I like sitting upright so long as I can touch the floor
B. I get a bit of a buzz when leaning it over as it 'feels' as though you have to lean further because your so upright
C. Generally more comfy position
I will feedback my findings on the Triumph once I've been out on it later in the week and will certainly be looking out for any vibes.
I have had a cursory look at the suzuki GT and Ninja 1000SX but (and forgive me here) they just look boring and if I don't go with one of the 3 above bikes I would probably try the Versys 1000 next which looks okay but on paper may be a touch underpowered ?
A. I like sitting upright so long as I can touch the floor
B. I get a bit of a buzz when leaning it over as it 'feels' as though you have to lean further because your so upright
C. Generally more comfy position
I will feedback my findings on the Triumph once I've been out on it later in the week and will certainly be looking out for any vibes.
I have had a cursory look at the suzuki GT and Ninja 1000SX but (and forgive me here) they just look boring and if I don't go with one of the 3 above bikes I would probably try the Versys 1000 next which looks okay but on paper may be a touch underpowered ?
We're all different and I struggle to understand how the likes of the GSXS1000GT and the Njnja 1000SX can be viewd as "a lttle boring" when the alterntives are a GS or an Explorer. Still, it's what works for you that's important.
My only comment would be to test ride a couple of the alternatives.
Enjoy the search.
My only comment would be to test ride a couple of the alternatives.
Enjoy the search.
Both the R1250R and RS are usefully lighter than the GS and have conventional forks with Brembo brakes. The RS seating position is canted forward a bit, which I like as it gives it a bit of a sporty feel whilst being very comfy. The R is pretty much bolt upright, but without the height of the adventure bikes. People go on about HP, but it's torque that provides acceleration, and the boxer has plenty; if you like ragging along at three figure speeds then it's not for you.
Longy00000 said:
Unfortunately I don't have easy access to a ducati / KTM dealer (Newcastle-upon-Tyne) as nearest is about 80 plus miles away.
In summary I was expecting the GS to be super comfy and surprisingly quick and agile yet I found the seat hard with relatively slow performance although it did feel surprisingly agile for a big bike, hence a small amount of frustration and disappointment .
Sorry but 80 miles is hardly that far - let alone to test a bike. Surely you'd be going on journies more than 80 miles on something like that? I mean christ, I do 80-100 multiple times throughout the week at bike nights on my 500!In summary I was expecting the GS to be super comfy and surprisingly quick and agile yet I found the seat hard with relatively slow performance although it did feel surprisingly agile for a big bike, hence a small amount of frustration and disappointment .
80 miles is a trip out on my KTM SD GT, covers ground at an alarming rate, in relative comfort compared to a sports bike.
Get the softer powerparts seat, which is also heated. Plus the cooled seat cover in summer, which fits better on the standard seat.
I've got lowered pegs and bars set furthest back and most upright.
Heated Grips as standard, quickshifter, screen and thumping low down torque that will rip your arms off.
Get the softer powerparts seat, which is also heated. Plus the cooled seat cover in summer, which fits better on the standard seat.
I've got lowered pegs and bars set furthest back and most upright.
Heated Grips as standard, quickshifter, screen and thumping low down torque that will rip your arms off.
Sorry but 160+ mile round trip for a service or warranty work is a ball ache despite what you say.
While some dealers will work on a 'while you wait' basis most still expect you to leave it for the day so what do i do, hang around for many hours waiting while they work on it, because I won't be blagging a lift home?
Nope it's too far and given the reliability of ducati and potentially warranty work associated with that I won't be buying something I cant get sorted locally (within about 25 miles)
While some dealers will work on a 'while you wait' basis most still expect you to leave it for the day so what do i do, hang around for many hours waiting while they work on it, because I won't be blagging a lift home?
Nope it's too far and given the reliability of ducati and potentially warranty work associated with that I won't be buying something I cant get sorted locally (within about 25 miles)
The KTM option is a little more achievable as it's not quite as far as ducati and probably (but i don't know , just what I've read on forums) is maybe more reliable and less prone to warranty claims......so trips to dealer fewer are further apart?
I would still prefer something much closer.
On a general basis are the ktms as comfy as the bikes mentioned on longer trips? I know they can be a bit hooligan and that's fine but can the 1290 Adventure bike suit someone short in the keg without having to do a load of mods?
Secondly is the GT tall enough to be a proper upright style of bike or is it still a bit race in the seat position.
I tried the aprilia tuono and that was still very racey where you had to lean forward for the bars.
I would still prefer something much closer.
On a general basis are the ktms as comfy as the bikes mentioned on longer trips? I know they can be a bit hooligan and that's fine but can the 1290 Adventure bike suit someone short in the keg without having to do a load of mods?
Secondly is the GT tall enough to be a proper upright style of bike or is it still a bit race in the seat position.
I tried the aprilia tuono and that was still very racey where you had to lean forward for the bars.
I can't ride sports bikes, they hurt my wrists. I dont have any problems with the GT in that respect. You are slightly forward, more than an adventure bike, so it does have a sporty edge to it.
If an adventure bike was 0%, the Duke is maybe 5-10% forwards. There are 4 handlebar positions and bar raisers available if needed.
I'm 5ft 10 with a regular size inside leg and I can't flat foot it.
Mines a 2020 bike, so mk 2. TFT is great. I think it runs better with a remap and lambda sensors removed as they can run a tad lean at the lower end and feel a bit chuggy. 6th gear isn't much use until 80+, but better since the remap.
Known problems are exhaust servo, which I removed and fitted an Exhaust Servo Eliminator and clutch slave, which can also be solved with a replacement from oberon. I haven't had a problem with mine yet.
They eat rear tyres due to the torque, make sure your shop knows about the tyre pressure sensor at they can be broken easy and it's £150 from KTM. Which my local shop found out, though they did fix it.
If an adventure bike was 0%, the Duke is maybe 5-10% forwards. There are 4 handlebar positions and bar raisers available if needed.
I'm 5ft 10 with a regular size inside leg and I can't flat foot it.
Mines a 2020 bike, so mk 2. TFT is great. I think it runs better with a remap and lambda sensors removed as they can run a tad lean at the lower end and feel a bit chuggy. 6th gear isn't much use until 80+, but better since the remap.
Known problems are exhaust servo, which I removed and fitted an Exhaust Servo Eliminator and clutch slave, which can also be solved with a replacement from oberon. I haven't had a problem with mine yet.
They eat rear tyres due to the torque, make sure your shop knows about the tyre pressure sensor at they can be broken easy and it's £150 from KTM. Which my local shop found out, though they did fix it.
If you've not already done so, have a look at https://cycle-ergo.com/
While all the model years you're interested in may not be there, there is enough to give you a good understanding of how different/similar things are. For example, the lean forward angle of most sports bikes is over 40 degrees while for most sports tourers it’s between 10 and 20 degrees. For most adventure bikes it’s between 0 and 5 degrees.
While all the model years you're interested in may not be there, there is enough to give you a good understanding of how different/similar things are. For example, the lean forward angle of most sports bikes is over 40 degrees while for most sports tourers it’s between 10 and 20 degrees. For most adventure bikes it’s between 0 and 5 degrees.
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