I was still looking for a winter ride (although we are back again to balmy temperatures and torrential rains), and found a Royal Enfield with a Cosy(?) sidecar. But I also wouldn't mind getting me one of those: A Yamaha TW200. I definitely like the big knobby tires.
And while the BMW F800GS was intimidating, when I had the opportunity to ride pillion with my friend Guido on a Christmas morning in 2009, this bike felt darn right 13 months later. No baby Tiger for me, I'm gonna stick with the original!
There is however a certain Triumph that has a special place in my heart. The new Thruxton. Sigh!
And come February the friendly neighbourhood dealer of BMW and Yamaha will also become the new official dealer for Triumph... food for thoughts.
Ugh...we started a little home project over Christmas vacation, and we're still dragging out the process. I think a day at the motorcycle show is a much better use of time. How fun to go sit on some bikes! Lookin' pretty sharp on that Thruxton! :)
ReplyDeleteI like the black and white pictures of the Triumph. It is just the right bike to portray that way. Is your winter ride going to be in addition to Nella? I cannot see you selling Nella just yet!
ReplyDeleteThe Ottawa show is next weekend. With the wind chill outside right now at -40 (C or F - doesn't matter), I can't wait!
ReplyDelete@bluekat: Whenever I have a home improvement project, I say to myself: never again, let's outsource this, alas the budget didn't allow that. The motorcycle show provided a welcomed distraction.
ReplyDelete@Gary: You are darn right, I cannot part with my Nella just yet, and I still try to convince hubby that I need a minimum of two bikes in the garage.
@Canajun: You are going to have fun, I was a great experience, no matter what outside temperatures (40 minus, brrrrrr)
Interesting that you say the Tiger 800 is bland and boring. On the photos I've seen so far I liked the look. Not as SUV like as the XC, but still a pretty bike. Might be wrong there though - haven't seen it in person.
ReplyDeleteBut of course, the GS is the original ...
And the little TW200 - nice bike, a little (not just a little) weak though. Same as our DR200, could use 10HP more, not much just that little bit to make it versatile enough to go for short passages on the motorway.
@Guido: Well, I had seen the XC first, it was very well displayed, while the stripped 800 was found a a different corner, almost as if marketing experts didn't want potential clients to make a direct comparison). The simple 800 on display didn't look like high quality workmanship, especially the welded parts looked ugly (made in China springs to mind). Nothing wrong with it, but it simply didn't make me tingle.
ReplyDeleteSonja:
ReplyDeleteNow it's my turn to complain about you posting drool-inducing photos! Got to agree with Gary about the B&W ones - magnificent. You look great on the Thruxton and its ergonomics are much improved since they fitted the new bars.
Incidentally, that sidecar is very similar to the one that my neighbour has on his R100RS.
So.... what's it to be for Roland - an R1200GS with the seat set on maximum height????
Given the time of year, the Enfield/Cozy combination looks pretty good. The Cozy car is sold by Royal Enfield dealers and the website claims that it will work with my BMW if I get a subframe. The B/W images seem to suit the Triumphs well.
ReplyDeleteRichard
I still love the F800GS, fits you perfectly too :-) For me it was just a tad small (I mean engine) and the 1200 GS a little to tall.
ReplyDeleteI was at the NY show today and saw the Tenere for the first time, fits me perfectly :-) I'm so glad, I'm only 5'9", 4 more months of wait :-(
Glad the show was able to accomodate getting out of the house and getting a good moto fix. Love the tires on that TW200! But you need to find a bike that hubby and you can fit...so that you can keep the oil turning and battery tended when he doesn't want to ride. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the new header picture with your bike in front of the snow pile. Great shot.
-Lori
Dear Sonja:
ReplyDeleteThe BMW GS — often copied, never duplicated.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
I haven't seen the Tiger 800s in person either, but I think they are going to be a hit! I like them even if they are ugly, what the heck I ride a Strom!
ReplyDelete@Geoff: He he, tit for tat ;-) You are right, a future touring bike can only be the R1200GS, until then... I might have to start him on a Maxi Scooter though.
ReplyDelete@RichardM: Those sidecars are actually not only pretty neat, they also are reasonable priced. It just wouldn't do any good to my Nella.
@GeorgeF: Thanks, I really start to like the F800GS, but the 650 will do for a little while. Approx. 50 Horsepower will do for me. The Tenere is a great option, alas too high for me.
@Beemergirl: Lori, fat chance to find a motorcycle that fits the two of us. The only two-wheeler that we seem to be able to ride both are the Silverwing, Burgman or TMax Scooter.
@Jack Riepe: Wiser words were never spoken, sir.
@Ken: The XC is a nice two-wheeled SUV (as Guido had put it so nicely), it is the bare 800 that didn't cut it. Still prettier than a V-Strom, though ;-)
Love motorcycle shows, nice post.
ReplyDeleteBig Al
Message for tall men: The Yamaha Super Tenere is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteEven the BMW GS does not really have enough leg room (it's the footpeg to seat to handlebar relationship that matters), the seat to ground distance is sort of irrelevant for riding comfort.
I'm now on the third seat rebuild with my GS to get it right - the last goon who worked on it made the seat 90cm higher at the front and lower at the back compared to standard - aarrrggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
N * meatball * connoisseur
Great shots Sonja. I too especially liked the black and white. So classic.
ReplyDeleteThat TW200 with its big puffy wheels always looks like such a hoot to me! I'd love to try one someday.
ReplyDeleteI must confess - I love the new baby Tiger. Seemed to fit me just right but I am definitely partial to Triumphs.
Did you happen to see the new Speed Triple on display there? They killed it :( So sad.
@GYMONR: Big Al, thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDelete@Nikos: So far the Tenere couldn't convince compared to the Beemer, but both two-wheelers are in a price bracket that we can't afford anyway. Bummer with your seat.
@Trobairitz: Thanks, the B&W looks good on a retro bike, n'est-ce pas?
@Fuzzygalore: Same here, must at least check it out. The XC is certainly worth a second look, however, it still is a shameless copy of the GS. I was so focused on the Tiger and the Thrux that I totally forgot to check out the Stripple. Darn.