| Author | Message | ||
     Ratbuell |
They went more "sport" on the 'wing this year, definitely. The big bagger luxo-barge is going to be the Yamaha Venture. The tan leather on the Indians does extremely well with good ol' saddle soap. You can get an outstanding patina on them with it - we've got a customer here who's got his seat and bags looking like 100 year old baseball gloves - awesome look and easy to do! | ||
| Bartimus |
KTM Super Adventure S    | ||
| Tootal |
And here I thought there was no way they could make that bike any uglier!!  | ||
| Crusty |
I honestly believe that the stylist at KTM was hopelessly inspired by a bucket of used razor blades. | ||
| 86129squids |
OK, allow a contrarian opinion. Looking past the looks, I KNOW that thing will be awesome for performance! And, if it's fugly enuf to be looked at, that makes it safer!! Maybe a Cylon had sex with an Aprilia Futura and this happened. | ||
| Jaimec |
KTMs always look like their design team is comprised of some kind of world championship origami team.  | ||
| Ourdee |
I think it may look better naked. | ||
| Crusty |
It won't look worse... | ||
| Steveford |
Crash the bodywork off that KTM and start over is my idea. It reminds me of that painting, The Scream by Edvard Munch. | ||
| Rick_a |
The KTM looks good to me. I have a thing for 17" front wheels, tho... | ||
| Ratbuell |
Well...we've got a BIG honkin' crate in back, showed up last night right before close. Our first Yamaha Venture Transcontinental. Anxious to get some seat time.  | ||
| Jaimec |
Let me know what you think. I got a chance to demo one last Fall at the AIMExpo in Columbus. | ||
| Hootowl |
OMG those pods are hideous! | ||
| Zane |
Ratbuell, A ride report is a must. I'm looking at getting a touring bike in the next couple of months and would like an unbiased opinion as this is one of the bikes I'd consider. Looking at this, a Goldwing or (God forgive me) a Road Glide Ultra. | ||
| Ratbuell |
We're supposed to see our first 'Wing in about three weeks, I believe. Although we do have some smokin' factory incentives on the '17 'wing we have left... I'll definitely post up once I get some saddle time. I'm looking forward to it. | ||
| Ratbuell |
 | ||
| Hootowl |
I'm shocked that they come that way from the factory. Hell of a crate. What do you do with those? | ||
| Ratbuell |
nothing is fully assembled...and on these (the Transcontinental package bikes), the actual Transcontinental Package ships as an accessory. Transcontinental Option Package Riders that step up to the Star Venture Transcontinental Option Package benefit from a range of options, with enhanced infotainment features including GPS navigation, SiriusXM®, additional speakers and Yamaha’s exclusive Dual Zone audio control. Standard LED fog lights, additional onboard storage and an alarmed security system round out the package. We install ALL of that at the dealer level. Hence, an all-day PDI. Crates are returned for core charges. Pretty standard stuff these days - smaller units ship on wood pallets; large side-by-side UTV's ship on actual steel pallet assemblies. All based on size/weight. | ||
| Jaimec |
The tiny little saddlebags and miniscule trunk on the new Wing are an unfortunate deal-breaker. And it looked SO promising on the spec sheet too. I'll still take one for a ride, but there are SPORT tourers with bigger luggage out there!! | ||
| Crusty |
...but there are SPORT tourers with bigger luggage out there!! Yup. Here's one with 80 Liters worth of bag capacity:  | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Says "Sport" right there on it Has four cams too! | ||
| Jaimec |
I'm not counting the ability to lash stuff to the seat. I'm referring to how much stuff you can LOCK safely away out of sight. For example, You can fit a full-face helmet in each saddlebag of the R1200RS. If I take the CD Player out of the right saddlebag (which I do on long trips) I can fit one full face helmet in each saddlebag and TWO in the top case of my K1200LT. Honda CLAIMS you can fit two helmets in the top case of the new Wing, but Asphalt and Rubber revealed Honda has a list of helmets that will fit; you can't fit just ANY two full face helmets in it. Reminds me of the original K-bike saddlebags. BMW claimed you could fit a helmet in them. I discovered the only helmet that fit was the BMW System II helmet, and only if you opened the jawpiece and positioned it "just so." In any event, I believe I can fit more luggage in my C650GT (with topcase) than I could with the new Wing. I don't see how Honda can claim it is a "luxury tourer." It's high on luxury perhaps... but LOW on the "tourer" part. | ||
| Tootal |
Sort of like the Victory Vision. Great big swooping rear end and you open the top and there's barely enough room for a bread box! How lame is that!? When it comes to touring I believe most of us would prefer function over form. To a point anyway! | ||
| Ratbuell |
The Venture is alive. I only rode it from the shop around to the showroom (so far), but wow - it is BALANCED. Never guess it's nearly a half-ton of bike. I also slow-rode it around our ATVs outside the front door, then through a covered entryway and into the front doors - zero issues riding at a slow walking pace, tight spaces. The clutch is a bit numb for my tastes but I'm sure with time and miles I'd get used to it. Nicely laid out displays and controls, good torque, amazing balance, nice sound...thus far, I'm quite impressed. Can't wait to get some real seat time! | ||
| Ratbuell |
Oh, and I opened the top case and I swear I heard an echo...it's YUGE. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Lol... What's a CD player? | ||
| 86129squids |
One of the kids I worked with at Fleming's made fun of me mentioning my CD collection. Also got LP's, 45's, an 8 track player, dual cassette deck, 200W hi-fi, 200W powered subwoofer, 2 pair indoor Polk Audio speakers, 1 Polk outdoor with 1 pair Yamaha as well. Ear buds and such- meh.  Joe- I'd just as soon hear your $.02 about that Venture as about any main publication I track online... although I do look forward to the inevitable comparo's that'll be coming soon. | ||
| Jaimec |
Tootal: That was the reason there isn't a Vision in my garage right now. We rented one in Las Vegas one year and as far as rider and passenger comfort, handling, and wind protection we LOVED the bike. However, opening the deceptive saddlebag lids revealed about enough room for one order from Subway in each bag. And neither one of us believes in shoving EVERYTHING into the trunk. Year after year Victory addressed the issues I had with the bike at introduction, but the one BIG issue they never resolved. Damned shame. | ||
| Midknyte |
https://www.cycleworld.com/2018-yamaha-star-eluder -first-ride?dom=currents&src=syn | ||
| Jaimec |
Pointer to my quick review of the Venture at this past AIMExpo in Columbus: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/814693.html?1506448730#POST2604937 By the way, Crusty: This year's AIMExpo will be in Las Vegas. It'll be back in Columbus in 2019. (Message edited by jaimec on January 28, 2018) |
