Andre said:
Greetings,
Please do not misunderstand me , to me the gt is the ultimate bike. But I'm just wondering: can better be found ?
I'm not going to try the contour, the fjr or the pan (st) but is there room to make a substantially better sport touring bike? What would that take?
I would not know, do you have any ideas ?
I thought: let's trow the question in the group and see what reaction it spins
A.
Why would you not try try other machines?
Anyway..
I briefly owned an '08 K1200GT.
Liked the idea, did not like the execution of the product.
When the Concours 14 was introduced i was very interested to see it. When I read about it I thought that they missed the mark. Even though it wins some comparrison tests in the MC Magazine scene. Complaints about too much engine heat, crappy fuel milage and range, not enough wind protection, not enough options, especially, heated grips and cruise.
Seems that Kawasaki has made some significant efforts to address weaknesses and consumer critisizms in the original design.
Just read about the new 2010 Concours.
The '10 versions has:
a larger stock windscreen
standard heated grips
engine heat management improvements
traction control
ambient temp readout
ability for rider to improve fuel milage by choosing an economy mode for engine management mapping
better storage in fairing
repositioned mirrors
and more...
All for $15,100
Sounds like a winner, all they have to do is add electronic cruise control.
PLUS
I see that Honda has brought a 700cc Sport tourer for the US market 2010.
Shaft drive, removable? hard bags (not sure if they are detachable), adjustable screen, ABS.
If they have the sense to have some gadgets available like heated grips and cruise, could be very attractive.
ALSO
There is no 2010 St1300 on the Honda Website. Maybe a retooled design for mid-year is on the way.
I owned a 1996 Honda PC 800 (Pacific Coast)
Nice running machine. No clunky shifts, no clutch judder, no fueling issues. I know, no character. Needed a few things such as Better Brakes (rear drum), ABS, electric adjustable windscreen, cruise, heated grips. If it had been equiped with those items, I might still be riding it.
Dmilan
'05RT