Don't forget about the Moto Guzzi Stelvio too. Motorcycle Consumer News just gushed over it last month. A buddy of mine just bought one. It's really nice with top shelf suspension and brake components.
They tested the Trimuph Explorer this month. So/so review, paned the basic suspension, brakes and the throttle by wire effort was too light. Hit a bump and you turn the throttle.
I can’t imagine actually riding one of these big AV bikes off road. My little KLR650 gets me huffing and puffing sometimes and I ride like a little girl off road.
But there's a trick: crank up the bike while on the stand and put a gear to rotate the rear wheel.
After about 30 sec the ABS goes in error and disconnets until you crank it up again
Yamaha has some rather odd videos on their site with this bike.
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelvideo/651/1104/0/video.aspx
I spotted a Super Tenere at the local dealer today and stopped in to check it out. I was pretty surprised since my local Honda/Yamaha dealer usually only has cruisers, crotch rockets, and ATV's. Turns out that the parts guy already bought it but told me the paperwork wasn't finished yet and to take it for a spin. I told him I didn't want to do that if he is buying it, and he said that his test ride was full throttle so he didn't mind if I took it out and flogged it for a bit. What was I supposed to say?
It ran very nice and had more torque than I expected. I think Pappy hit the nail on the head when he said it is rebadged VStrom. Pricey bike but if you don't like Suzuki then it is a great choice for fire roads or a trip to Alaska.
Hardly.....and there are a few Strom riders that have converted, they say it is superior in almost every way.
Have you ridden one , Brian ?
Try to do a back -to - back test ---You might be surprised !
Plus the Strom is much more -how should I put it - within the means of the working guy.
Alas .....to be rich .... and buy 'em all !
Had a 1000 Vstrom for 5 years, really enjoyed that bike. However it is exactly what it is.......a cheap poor mans version of an ADV bike. There is a very good reason why "so many" owners upgrade the suspension and the brakes, BECAUSE THEY SUCK. The handlebars are junk, doesn't come with a centerstand, and has very little to no engine protection, and the alternator output is subpar for the purpose intended. The 650 is a much better platform than the 1000, especially the new one. But to keep the price cheap they still had to make the same budget brakes and suspension. Yes there are a gazillion aftermarket goodies available, but I would plop down the extra coin for the Tenere in a heartbeat. And here is the catch.....many Strom owners will spend just as much or more for making the bike much better, when they could've just got a Tenere.
By the way, I have a friend who has owned allot of bikes over the years. His favorite bike without a doubt was the Strom, but he sold that and now has a Tenere. He has zero regrets.