New best long distance all road touring bike ?

Looks like BMWs 1200GS has a long distance all road touring competitor with Yamahas XT1200x , as a dream have been thinking of doing an around Australia ride when the kids get a little older and while the BWM R1200GS or KTM 990 Adventure would have been top of my list I like the look of Yamahas new Super Tenere.



Noted in Story:

- Shaft driven with a large capacity twin and wide torque band.
- Light agile Handling, perfect low speed balance
- High comfort level, good weather protection with practial accomodation.

Suitable for:

- Off road Adventure
- Long distance touring
- corner carving
- Commuting

If they can provide all that with its turn key philosophy of option, buy and ride I'd definitely considering buying one. Well that is
until Hondas new VFR1200 based Adventure " All roader " becomes available next year. :wink:




Story Linky:
Yamaha 2010 Model News

 

If Honda brought this bike to the US, I'd have it alongside the VFR and fully dressed, and I would never need any other bike. Although it doesn't exactly meet the criteria of having drive shaft, but, automatic chain lubricators are available on the market. Engine capacity is 680cc - a bit smaller, but Im sure helps in the weight department.

http://bikerholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/2009-honda-xl700v-transalp-accessories.jpg

Looks like Yamaha borrowed some ideas from BMW - although, always thought square bags are aerodynamically inefficient and cut back on overall range. At least Yamaha was wise to build a parallel twin motor with 90 deg offset crankpins. Also the shaft drive is very close in line with transmission. Bottom line, that is purpose built! Kudos to Yamaha. And if Honda doesn't respond, shame on them, I'd might have to purchase my 1st Yamaha.

 

I like it, but the expected price (GBP 13,500 = US 20,277) puts it on par with the Multistrada 1200. Decisions, decisions, decisions. (I've already ruled out the VFR1200).

 

I test road the older Trans Alp 650 in early 2003, it was such an easy bike to ride and very versatile, thought it would make a great commuter and leisurely tourer able to laugh at the more pitiful of our back and gravel roads but it had no real power and would be a chore to ride with groups so chose an SV650S at the time instead.

Not cheap then, mind a lot of bike for the money.

The Multistrada I'd need to see in the flesh it looks mostly good though not sure about the Anteater like protruding nostrals and whether it would prove as reliable as a Yamaha or GS in the back of the never never.

 

Apparentyl the new Multistrade has improved valve seat material that prolongs valve adjustments to 15k miles. They should extend this technology to their superbike & monster engines

 

My first thought with any of these bikes would be reliability. Curious in the real world how the BMW, Yamaha and Duc stack against each other.