Tuesday, March 27, 2012

2012 Montreal Moto Show: Kawasaki and Moto Guzzi

 

Kawasaki

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No surprise.  Each year it is the same story…

…after a too long winter, I take my Versys out of the garage, fire the engine, go for a ride and come back with this smile Hot smile.

There is no doubt in my mind, Versys motorcycles are fun to ride.  The engine is Kawasaki’s best selling argument for its small Versys.  I am convinced that the new Versys 1000 will carry the same soul and will be even more pleasant to ride on paved roads.  

However, I had some disappointments while at the moto show.  First, mirrors.  I had a clue that they could be weak, but when I sat on the bike and tried to adjust them, it was clear that Kawasaki did not do its homework to improve them compared to the small Versys.

Second, the seat.  It is made with same cheap material used on the small Versys.  So comfort may be an issue during a long ride.  Last note, the design.  Not what I would call a beauty, especially when you look at it from the front.

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Conclusions: a good motorcycle with some caveats, will be fun to ride on paved roads and probably on nice gravel roads.  The new Versys misses some polishing to be a great motorcycle.  It looks like Kawasaki put all its mind power on the mechanical aspects, but ignored the low hanging fruits.

 

Moto Guzzi

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Moto Guzzi Stelvio is one of the adventure bikes that grabs my attention.

The goal of this motorcycle is to be a direct competitor to the big GS from BMW and capture some of the adventure market share.

However it seems that Moto Guzzi took the bull by the horns and built a quite competent all-roads bike.

The look is unique and not bad at all as well.

However, when I sat on the motorcycle I had a strange impression.  There is a huge gap between the tank and the dash… which gives a odd feeling of emptiness.  It will probably take some time for future owners to get used to it and it could also be a problem to fit a tank bag.


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You can see in this picture the engine skid plate and a specially bent kickstand…is this to give more stability to the bike when upright?


Overall, this motorcycle is interesting and will certainly please people that like to stand out.  After looking over the internet, the main grip for the Stelvio is its poor autonomy.  So that is to consider when planning an adventure ride.

Next stop: Suzuki and Yamaha
ciao!
dsaventurequebec
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Sunday, March 25, 2012

Heidenau vs Shinko (en)

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While I was at the Montreal moto show, I stopped at the Heideneu booth, attracted by the K60 Scout dual sport tires in demonstration.

I really liked the thread pattern of those 50-50 tires.  I spoke to the rep and told him that those tires would be an interesting replacement for my Shinko 705DS…  Whut?! Shinko?  Heideneu are much better than Shinko he told me with a little cocky attitude.  K60s can make 8000 miles no problem and they are excellent under rainy conditions.  I told him that I ran on Shinko 705DSs for a year and they where really not bad for the price.  My argument was lost in the wind.  Never mind.

I had a look at the tire chart.  I saw that I could use the 120-90-17 for my front tire and the 150-70-17 for the rear.  Exactly what I needed to do in order to accommodate a Shinko 705DS on my Versys, in other words: install a rear tire on my front wheel.  Note that I had to raise my front fender to have more space for this high profile tire.

Side note.  Are most of DS tire manufacturers sleeping on gas?Sleeping half-moon  Let me explain.  There are many supermotos and many crossovers on the market.  Both use a 120-70-17 tire size for the front wheel.  However there is only one manufacturer that offers its DS (I mean the real McCoy) tire in 120-70-17 front wheel format: Continental, with the TKC80…and this is very recent, but good luck… this tire is most of the time back ordered.  So, just a quick reminder for all other manufacturers: Light bulbLight bulbLight bulbLight bulbLight bulbthere is a market for this tire size!  End of side note.

So, Shinko-Heidenau…as a matter of fact last week, my front tire showed end-of-life signs.  I would have liked to keep it for another riding season, I even installed a brand new rear 705DS the week before!  However, the front wheel tire blocks are unevenly worn down and I fear that delamination has started: the front wheel was vibrating going back home after work (the effect was like going over a bump on every wheel rotation).  I just could not miss the occasion to compare: I called my dealer to order a Heidenau K60 to replace my front tire.  I should have it installed this week. 

So I will see if the K60 is as good as the Heidenau rep seems to think.  My conclusions on the Shinko 705DS:

  • a good performer on asphalt as well as off road;
  • surprisingly good under rainy conditions;
  • noisy, but not to the point that it becomes an issue;
  • the front tire: non-uniform wear down and started delaminating after 8000 miles (12000km).  The non-uniform wear down issue is apparently a frequent situation with big block tires but still disappointing.  Could having a rear tire installed in front explain this?  Also, the tire ran with lower than recommended pressure a few times, could this explain delamination?

To be continued…

Update: April 4, 2012

I got my bike back today.  Some pictures with the Heidenau (Shinko 705DS rear).

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First impressions:

  • 705DS almost looks like a road tire compared to K60!;
  • K60 is a little less noisy;
  • because of the 50-50 thread pattern, K60 vibrates a little more at low speed.  Shinko’s are 70-30.

I probably forgot to mention that I wanted the Scout version of the K60.  The Scout seems to have a extra band in the middle (see top picture of this post).  That will give me another opportunity to compare next year Winking smile.

Now time to get lost in the Lac des Plages (Beaches Lake) area!Open-mouthed smile

Update: May 29, 2012

I had 2 good occasions to try the Heidenau K60.  First, during my first ride heading to Mont Tremblant and another one to Otis, Massachusetts.

The K60 is really good in all situations and surprisingly smooth on paved roads.  I did not feel any difference riding at a fast pace even with the 50-50 knobbies.  So, a good choice for all types of adventure rides.

I would have appreciated a K60 at the rear wheel as well when I had to follow a muddy road.  The 705DS is simply not built for this kind of situation.  I believe the K60 would have been better - but as of today, this is still speculation.

The down side: gas consumption. While I was riding down to Massachusetts, I was under the impression that gas consumption was higher than usual.  I suspect that around 20% more gas was required to run with the K60 on the front wheel.  I therefore have some apprehension installing another one on the rear wheel.

Concerning the performance aspect, the K60 is great!  Oh yeah, one more thing I noticed: the K60 is way better at cornering than the 705DS.  But keep in mind that I am running with a rear tire at the front wheel, the difference could be less obvious if I used a real front tire.

The conclusion so far is that if you are riding on a budget, choose the 705DS – it is cheaper and easy on gas.  The K60 is a better tire performance-wise, but overall costs are higher.

 

Update: July 16, 2012

I have been using the bike in normal conditions recently (commuting to work) and I discovered that the K60 is not the gas guzzler I originally thought.  My original observation in May when I rode to Massachusetts was that the tire increased gas consumption by 20%.  But now that I have used the bike in normal conditions, it appears that the consumption is the same as it was before - with a Shinko 705DS installed on the front wheel (about 49 MPG or 4.8L/100km).

So, the previous conclusion is still valid: if you are on a budget, buy Shinko’s 705DS, in particular if you do tire installation – however it is not cheaper on gas.

It will be very interesting to see on the long run how the Heidenau wears down.  If it does significantly more mileage than the 705DS, the price advantage may becomes just an illusion – especially if considering that it would require more frequent tire installation @ 50$ each.

ciao!
dsaventurequebec
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Monday, March 19, 2012

2012 Montreal moto show: KTM

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It was not easy to speak with the KTM representative, he seemed to be the most popular guy at this moto show.

KTM is one of the brands that attracts the most attention with their Ready-to-Race motorcycles and its implication in many events like the Dakar rally with Marc Coma and Cyril Després who compete year after year for first place.

So a stop at the KTM booth was a must.  I had the chance to have a closer look and quickly evaluate the Adventure, which my wife found ugly by the way, but from a dual sport adventure motorcycle amateur, the Adventure represents the summit of efficiency in its class – which allows to see the best of this bike, but yeah, the look is rather particular.  However the Dakar version in dark blue suits this bike nicely.

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There are many trails where I had to turn around because my Versys was not adapted - either because the ground clearance was too low, misadapted suspension or the bike was too heavy.  It is in moments like those that I would have liked to ride an Adventure or a 690 Enduro to really see the difference.

However, take note that those motorcycles are not for everyone.  First, the accrued power which makes KTM’s reputation comes with a proportional gas consumption, which in turn also means a reduced autonomy.  Also, those motorcycles require more maintenance than the average motorcycle… so if mechanics are not your thing, be prepared to regularly visit your dealer.  There is a price to pay to be the pack leader.

 

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I added some trail pictures where I had to either turn around or be very careful because of the limited ground clearance of my Versys.  Would an Adventure or a 690 Enduro have made a difference? Certainly yes, but to what degree?

 

Next stop: Kawasaki and Moto Guzzi
Ciao!
dsaventurequebec
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Sunday, March 11, 2012

2012 Montreal Moto Show: Triumph

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Without a doubt, the adventure motorcycle market is booming if you consider all the new models available since 4-5 years.  Triumph has been quite active in this category lately.  This manufacturer comes back this year with yet another model, the Tiger Explorer.

As I did for all the other motorcycles for which I had a particular interest at the Montreal moto show, I took some time to sit on the bike and evaluate the riding position and the seat comfort.  The seat seemed a little hard, but comfy.  However, I can’t explain exactly why, the motorcycle left me a bit cold.  A little too big?  Or maybe just because it is more road oriented?  Or perhaps because a more appealing bike was just beside it: the 800XC.

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There is no doubt in my mind, the 800XC is one of the best interpretations of the dual sport adventure bike on the market.  The comparisons with the F800GS from BMW are numerous.  Which one is the best?  That depends on your point of view.  In my opinion, comfort is the most important aspect when evaluating a motorcycle.  Depending on that, you will or won’t like a motorcycle.  A comfy bike will not stop you from riding all day long.  Thus, I think the 800XC has an edge.  I rode the F650GS for 2 weeks.  I really loved this motorcycle, but for the seat, it gave me back pain (however my wife found the rear seat very comfortable, even on a gravel road).  The same seat is used on the F800GS.

If you are targeting the 800XC to be your next motorcycle, I suggest that you browse motorcycle forums and check its reliability.


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Next stop: KTM
Ciao!
dsaventurequebec
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Friday, March 9, 2012

Motion induced blindness / Cécité induite par le mouvement

(EN)While browsing my favorite forums I stumbled upon a pretty interesting post from kawasakiversys.com. The following visual test as stated in the original post could be a plausible explanation why some car drivers cannot see motorcyclists. While fixing the central blinking dot, the surronding yellow dots will disappear!

(FR)Pendant que je naviguais sur mes forums préférés, je suis tombé sur ce message très intéressant sur kawasakiversys.com. Le test visuel suivant, tel que mentionné dans le message original, pourrait expliquer pourquoi certains conducteurs automobile ne voient pas les motocyclistes. En fixant le point central clignotant, les points jaunes disparaitront!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Kawasaki Safety Recall (US)

2012-Kawasaki-Ninja-250R-rightsideninja650er6nversys 650 2012
Vehicle Make / Model:    Model Year(s):
KAWASAKI / EX250JCF    2012
KAWASAKI / EX250JCFA    2012
KAWASAKI / EX250JCFAL    2012
KAWASAKI / EX250JCFL    2012
KAWASAKI / EX650ECF    2012
KAWASAKI / EX650ECFL    2012
KAWASAKI / KLE650CCF    2012
KAWASAKI / KLE650CCFL    2012
Manufacturer: KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A. Mfr's Report Date: MAR 01, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V081000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: STRUCTURE
Potential Number of Units Affected: 793
Summary: KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 EX250JCF/A/AL/L NINJA 250, EX650ECF/L NINJA 650 AND KLE650CCF/L VERSYS MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 THROUGH OCTOBER 25, 2011. DUE TO ENGINE VIBRATION AND DAMAGE DURING ASSEMBLY, THE CIRCLIPS ON THE FOOTPEG MOUNTING PINS CAN BREAK AND FALL OFF AND CAUSE THE FOOTPEG TO DETACH FROM THE MOTORCYCLE.
Consequence: IF THE FOOT PEG DETACHES, IT COULD CREATE A ROAD HAZARD FOR OTHER VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE RIDER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: KAWASAKI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER FOOTPEG PIN CIRCLIPS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-866-802-9381.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV. src: safercar.gov

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

2012 Montreal Moto Show: Ducati and Campagna

Third Stop: Ducati

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Nothing new at Ducati for adventure motorcycling but I had to stop to closely evaluate the Multistrada, which I see every summer day in front of Ducati Montreal on St-Laurent street coming back from work.  Quite an evolution in many aspects compared to the previous model!  Certainly nobody will miss the previous version.  The most important improvement is hidden however: the valve adjustment cycle made a 20 000km jump from 4000 to 24000km, which makes the Multistrada suddenly much more affordable.  Bravo!

Ducati has never been shy to tell everyone the Multistrada is a dual sport bike.  It is well known that the Multistada is a crossover, but people at Ducati brought the concept to new highs.  They equipped the Multistrada with electronics to select the riding mode at the touch of a finger.  There are 4 modes, including dual sport.

While I was looking closely at the bike, it seemed to me that ground clearance was a little short for fire roads.  Well, there is nothing better than a couple of dedicated adventure riders taking their bike out, producing videos and sharing their results to verify that.  So have a look at this video found on Youtube.

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That sounds convincing enough according to me.

Off topic: V13R

While heading to the Ducati booth, I stumbled upon a quite appealing vehicle, esthetically and mechanically speaking. The V13R from Campagna.

If I had money to spend I would run to buy this 3 wheeled roadster.  A minivan to carry kids around, a V13R for everything else.  Honestly, I don’t know much about this type of vehicle and I don’t know if there is a big market for it yet, but I wish to see many of them on the roads just for the pleasure of looking at them.  A great modern and classic look, powered by Harley Davidson, all Baby Boomers want one.  This product is manufactured in Quebec.  

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All my congratulations to Campagna!

Next stop: Triumph
Ciao!
dsaventurequebec
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Thursday, March 1, 2012

2012 Montreal Motorcycle Show: Honda

 

Second stop: Honda

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There were 2 new models I wanted to see at the Honda booth, unfortunately the CrossTourer was not there and hopefully will be available in Canada next year. 

First, the CRF250L.  A small displacement engine does not necessarily means a small bike, that’s what I noticed while looking at the CRF250L.  I could not sit on the bike to see if it was confortable as it was strangely surrounded by a small barrier, perhaps because it is a 2013 model?   I searched for a while to see where the oil filter was located  and I even asked a representative, but it was impossible to find (useful to know for those who like to make some maintenance!)  Meanwhile, I noticed that this bike is pretty well built.  Everything looks nice and tight.  No doubt in my mind, this bike will sell like hot cakes as long as the price is reasonable.

Second, the NC700.  This funny looking bird (one has to get used to its beak, but still not ugly) reminds me of my Versys, not look wise but in its form: a crossover.  Like the Versys, the NC700 most likely hides some off road capabilities that could surprise when dual sport tires are installed (Avon Distantia as an example or even TKC80 now that Continental makes them in 120/70-17 front size). 

Advantages of crossover bikes are:

  • highly competent on the asphalt (and on highways contrary to a dual sport bike),
  • can  take a passenger anytime,
  • usually an interesting autonomy (but in case of the NC700 it seems Honda took some gas tank volume to accommodate a trunk just in front of the seat, enough room for a gas can!Winking smile),
  • generally many accessories are available; and
  • still those bike are fully capable to follow most dual sport motorcycles on a gravel road.

I was able to try the seat this timeSarcastic smile.  The saddle comfort was apparently correct.  Don’t take my words for granted, there is nothing like a 40 miles ride to be 100% sure on this topic, but to me the seat seemed comfier than my own motorcycle.  I don’t know if this bike will sell because of its particular aspects, but I’m convinced that those who will buy it won’t be disappointed.

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As I was in the area, I had a sneak peak at the big bore dual sport from Honda, the XR650L. Once sitting on it, I was barely tiptoeing.  At 5’9” I am not that short!  It seems to me that this bike would be quite interesting for more aggressive off-road dual sport adventure ride if it would be more accessible to “normal” people.  

Next stop, Ducati.
ciao!
dsaventurequebec
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