Topic: What Motorcycle Have You Been Obsessing About Today?

[Jaeger]

I'm not even into cruisers and I think that looks pretty sweet.

[rrocket]

FWIW, they're road racing these now!

AMA has King of the Baggers class now.

[BWII]

It is indeed a handsome bike.  I like the simple, black and chrome finish.  That's what a proper big 'Murica bike is supposed to look like.

Me too, and...it's NOT a Harley.  Rode around with enough of those guys back in the day I don't think I could ever do that to myself just because they're...Harley Guys.  If I did it'd have to be the Africa Tw...no...Pan America.  That one could be good.  I wouldn't hate to ride some of their other (over-priced) bikes...it's the assitude that gets me.

[ktm525]

If I was going that big then I would go for a new Goldwing sans the passenger bit for cruise nights.

[ktm525]

you can even take your Goldwing out to the motocross track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMrxee_fazo

[Jaeger]

If I was going that big then I would go for a new Goldwing sans the passenger bit for cruise nights.

Goldwing is more my speed a well for an anti-Harley bagger.  But those things cost car money.

[ktm525]

If I was going that big then I would go for a new Goldwing sans the passenger bit for cruise nights.

Goldwing is more my speed a well for an anti-Harley bagger.  But those things cost car money.

They have more cylinders than the average small car.

[Jaeger]

If I was going that big then I would go for a new Goldwing sans the passenger bit for cruise nights.

Goldwing is more my speed a well for an anti-Harley bagger.  But those things cost car money.

They have more cylinders than the average small car.

True.

[blur911]

There's an RG500 Gamma for sale in Kitchener, 

$25k USD firm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVqbOcZLclM&ab_channel=JohnBlackburn

[rrocket]

That's a euro model, not the Canadian model.

Would love one though!

Would put modern wheels, brakes, suspension and pipes on it.

[Jaeger]

Kind of starting to look at a vew next bike options in person.  Stopped at the KTM dealership to check out the Duke 890R.

Performance and tech for the money is pretty strong here.  Stylistically, I'd be going from mild to wild - but I'm okay with the Duke's somewhat juvenile angry insect aesthetic (and I think they do a better job of it than Honda does with the Hornet).

But... but.... why is it that even costly KTMs look and feel a bit plasticky and cheap in person?



It did NOT help that they had a Honda CB1000R in their used bike section, which looked and felt like something at least two rungs up the premium ladder.  As did the Triumph Street Triple.



I doubt these pics will convey that difference, but man, was it ever noticeable in person.  Sat on the absolute entry level Duke 200 - same plastickiness as the 890.    Maybe it's just something you get used to?

[JohnnyMac]

Kind of starting to look at a vew next bike options in person.  Stopped at the KTM dealership to check out the Duke 890R.

Performance and tech for the money is pretty strong here.  Stylistically, I'd be going from mild to wild - but I'm okay with the Duke's somewhat juvenile angry insect aesthetic (and I think they do a better job of it than Honda does with the Hornet).

But... but.... why is it that even costly KTMs look and feel a bit plasticky and cheap in person?



It did NOT help that they had a Honda CB1000R in their used bike section, which looked and felt like something at least two rungs up the premium ladder.  As did the Triumph Street Triple.



I doubt these pics will convey that difference, but man, was it ever noticeable in person.  Sat on the absolute entry level Duke 200 - same plastickiness as the 890.    Maybe it's just something you get used to?

Maybe weight savings to improve performance?  Am I wrong to say that a lot of Honda's weigh more than their competitors.

What others you got on your list?  BMW, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Ducati?

[Jaeger]

I'm sure that's part of it - they are commendably light. But the Triumph is pretty lightweight as well and just feels waaay more premium. Something about the cockpit particularly - it's like when you sit in the driver seat of an economy car versus a luxury car - the basic components are the same but you can tell the difference.

Possibilities: KTM Duke 890, Triumph Street Triple RS, Honda CB1000R, Ducati Monster. Outlier would be something like a Ninja 1000SX or a Kawasaki Z900RS.

[rrocket]

https://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/the-clash-of-two-super-middleweights-ktm-890-duke-r-vs-triumph-street-triple-rs


When I look at a KTM, I look at the top shelf suspension...that's miles better than anything in class...and some bikes in classes above. The engine performance goes without saying. Fantastic Brembos. But it's the handling. There's a reason it's called   "The Scalpel"

And although the KTM is only 8lbs lighter, it feels like 50lbs lighter. And that's no small feat (or compliment) since the Triumph is so competent.

Many journo who've ridden the 890R have proclaimed it one of the few truly "special" bikes for sale today.

That being said..It's a fairly hardcore, focused bike. If your main riding is going to Bikes and Coffee, the 890R is probably not for you.

In car terms, the KTM is pretty much a Porsche GT4 RS.

[ktm525]

Every Pound Counts.

[Jaeger]

I'll give the KTM salesman props for not mentioning the marketing-be-marketing guff like "the scalpel" or "ready to race" even once.    Nor did he proclaim it to be head and shoulders better than everything else.  He had excellent knowledge of the bike as well as the competition and could discuss them objectively.  Definitely made me more inclined to listen to what he had to say, and far more likely to earn my business. About 90% of car salespersons could learn from this guy.

[Jaeger]

Every Pound Counts.

I do my best not to overindulge in bacon cheeseburgers, with variable success. 

[ktm525]

Every Pound Counts.

I do my best not to overindulge in bacon cheeseburgers, with variable success. 

Same. Still fat, weak and old but working on it.

[Jaeger]

Every Pound Counts.

I do my best not to overindulge in bacon cheeseburgers, with variable success. 

Same. Still fat, weak and old but working on it.

 

[ktm525]

Dealer just called;  my new bike has arrived. Will need a few days to PDI and then should have early next week!