Cycle World "Armageddon Tour"

[markjenn]

FYI, there is a new comparison review in the April 2013 issue of Cycle World which includes the S10. The theme is a bit eccentric - what bike would you want if the world was going to hell in a handbasket? - but it involved the usual adventure touring stuff with a mix or dirt, pavement, forest service roads, etc. all done as a huge loop through S. Calif, mostly in the high desert. The mix of bikes selected was strange too.

To cut to the chase, the S10 finished mid-pack, higher than the Husky TR650 and Triumph 800XC, but below the KTM 990 and KLR. They liked the KLR for its ruggedness and simplicity. I don't take too much from this other than the Husky - often pitched as a high-tech KLR - getting trounced by the lowly KLR.

If Kawasaki would fuel-inject and ABS the KLR, I'd put a deposit down tomorrow.

- Mark

 

[Combo]

I feel they are right about the KLR's ruggedness and simplicity. Also range with a 6 gal tank at around 50 MPG. It's a pack mule on wheels.

If the world did go to hell in a handbasket tomorrow and I had to get the heck away with not knowing what paths I will have to take then I would have to say my KLR would be the choice and my Tenere would be left behind.

If I could only choose one motorcycle the KLR would be it. I'm so glad at this time I can choose both.

 

[snakebitten]

It was a funny article. And although the Tenere ended up in 3rd place with the odd criteria they were using, the Beast actually got First place in a lot of the comments.

And like most Tenere tests, they are all so shocked once they hit the dirt on it.

(I was surprised the XC got such dud comments)

But really, who needed to have a test to determine the Post Armageddon bike?
The KLR almost has that identity in its DNA.

 

[GrahamD]

It's either a KLR or DR650.

Lots of folk in Oz put the DR through the equivalent of Armageddon* each year. (*Or mad max)

 

[RED CAT]

I'd go XRL 650 or DR 650 before the KLR. Air cooled and tougher with better suspension and lighter weight.

 

[simmons1]

Re: Re: Cycle World "Armageddon Tour"

I feel they are right about the KLR's ruggedness and simplicity. Also range with a 6 gal tank at around 50 MPG. It's a pack mule on wheels.

If the world did go to hell in a handbasket tomorrow and I had to get the heck away with not knowing what paths I will have to take then I would have to say my KLR would be the choice and my Tenere would be left behind.

If I could only choose one motorcycle the KLR would be it. I'm so glad at this time I can choose both.

I agree. I often tell people the same thing about my KLR.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

 

[scott123007]

They didn't have the balls to include ANY of the BMW's or their beloved Multistrada in this comparo, because using their logic, the KLR would have still had to win, and their hate mail would have overflowed, nevermind a screech on advertising dollars.

 

[bloodline]

I reckon in 10000 miles the klr would burn enough oil that you could have changed the oil in the Tenere a few times.

 

[greg the pole]

I reckon in 10000 miles the klr would burn enough oil that you could have changed the oil in the Tenere a few times.

i think the ring issue on the early 2008's was bike, and break in dependent.
my late 2008 had no such issues, by using rotella mineral oil, and motoman's break in technique I had no issues.
That said I replaced the klr with a 2006 DR650, and found it much better compared to the klr (I did also own a 99 klr some time ago)

But when the tenere showed up the dr did not get out at all, so it was sold.

My pick, if it was made available, dr650, lighter, less complicated, bulletproof, well maybe the speedo drive can break... ::015::

 

[offcamber]

My 06 KLR doesn't burn a drop of oil....Aside from the issues with the 08s the only time KLRs seem to burn oil is when run at high RPMs for a long time (interstate riding) at least that's my experience.

For the type of "test" they were doing the KLR had to come out on top, its the Jeep of motorcycles....not the modern pussified Jeeps I'm talking about the old MBs, CJ 2a, 3Bs and 5.....

 

[Mark R.]

I read that article, and as someone who just sold a 2008 KLR that was farkled to the max - crash protection, 685 kit, doohickey, Thermobob, Cogent suspension, and multiple other farkles and modifications too numerous to list, I have a giant sense of relief for having switched to the Tenere. The KLR required almost constant maintenance. I mean, after every other ride, I had to do something to that bike to keep it going. It never stranded me, but I credit myself for keeping up with the maintenance so that would not happen.

I enjoyed every ride, and can credit the bike for getting me into adv type riding, but I am so glad it is gone. For me also, the Achilles heel of all the mid size and smaller dual sport bikes is the tube tires. Get a flat at high speed, and you could crash. Get a flat in the middle of nowhere, and spend way too much time changing tubes or not, depending on how it goes. Get a flat on the Tenere, and you just plug it and keep on going.

As someone who is visiting the KLR650.net forum to sell off my remaining parts, I compare the mechanical failures that are posted all over that board to the Tenere forum here, and there is no comparison. The Tenere is rock solid. This forum is almost boring in its complete lack of problems to be solved by those here. I like that! And I love my Tenere.

 

[klunsford]

I only have one so there is no question as to what I would ride... Me and my S10..... ::002::

 

[X5]

Complexity and heft were the S10 faults per the article. I have read so many times about them bitching about no ABS off switch that I don't remember if that was something they bitched about too. Obtuse article to begin with but needed to grab the cover with the new GS article as well. Funny that Ducati had a full page Multistrada ad right before the BMW GS article.

 

[cb0802]

As funny as this sounds, one of the reasons I moved from a cruiser to an adventure touring bike is for a reason similar to the criteria of the article.
I work 40 miles south of DC. There is one major highway running south which hosts approximately 600,000 commuters every day, and any significant disruption causes complete gridlock. Because it is a likely target of terrorist attack, I wanted to be able to get home in the event of an emergency. I know that in the worst case scenario, I have multiple options on how to get there. I've planned out multiple routes which include driving strait down the DC to Richmond railroad line.
It was one of many considerations, but I know that if the alarm sounds, I can get to my wife and kids no matter what the road conditions. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the commute.

 

[snakebitten]

Gotta agree on the forum comment.

I have lots of bikes and visit many forums. (And I have a KLR. Letting a college kid use it to get to school and back. That keeps the battery up!)

There is NO forum with less issues than this one. It's amazing.

 

[talonboy]

I just read the article, interesting read. I would have to agree, for their listed criteria, the KLR would be the best choice.

 

[Salmon Sam]

It IS very strange that no other big bore ADV bikes were included. Cycle World did give the ST "Adventure Bike of the Year" because it is the best overall compromise for street and dirt. Hmmm. Those other big bore bikes couldn't be posers, could they? :

 

[20valves]

It IS very strange that no other big bore ADV bikes were included. Cycle World did give the ST "Adventure Bike of the Year" because it is the best overall compromise for street and dirt. Hmmm. Those other big bore bikes couldn't be posers, could they? :

Well, CW did a couple of articles last year with all the big trailies and in fact did conclude that the Super Ten was the best overall big bore adv considering how most folks use their bikes (mostly road, some not too wild dirt). It wasn't the best on the street or in the dirt but it was better on the dirt than the street oriented bikes and vice versa.

Oh, and they flat out called the new Triumph 1200 an off road poser.

 

[RED CAT]

Just finished the article. Was surprised to see the Triumph 800XC get such a poor showing off road. A couple of my pals just bought them and are very happy overall. Was also surprised that the 990 KTM was 17lbs lighter than the XC. Supposedly my pals did their homework and found the XC to be lighter according to factory specs. I even mentioned that the I thought the 990 was lighter but they didn't believe me. Not only lighter but much lower center of gravity. One of these guys trades bikes every 4 months. Think he'll most likely try a 990 next, although I caught him fondling my S10 a couple of times recently. ::001::

 

[greg the pole]

Just finished the article. Was surprised to see the Triumph 800XC get such a poor showing off road. A couple of my pals just bought them and are very happy overall. Was also surprised that the 990 KTM was 17lbs lighter than the XC. Supposedly my pals did their homework and found the XC to be lighter according to factory specs. I even mentioned that the I thought the 990 was lighter but they didn't believe me. Not only lighter but much lower center of gravity. One of these guys trades bikes every 4 months. Think he'll most likely try a 990 next, although I caught him fondling my S10 a couple of times recently. ::001::

WHO IS THIS BIKE FONDLING PERVERT? ::015::
same guy as this guy?
http://www.calgaryherald.com/technology/Florida+arrested+allegedly+molesting+manatee/7986529/story.html

must be nice to change bikes every 4 months...can't be easy on the wallet.
Never rode the xc800, but if its anything like their 1200, it will be light! ::013::