So, back in January, some thieves thought they deserved my Tenere more than I did, and made off with it.
As I didn't have much hope, I started looking around for a 15+ Tenere.
A friend of mine purchased a KTM 1290 super Duke, and let me take it for a few rides. OMG! The power and handling reminded me so much of my Buell 1125CR.
While I was searching, and waiting for the insurance to settle, I made the mistake of taking a 1290 SAR for a test ride. Same motor as the Duke, with 8.9" of suspension, wow...
I loved it, but still hated the idea of dealing with a chain on a long distance ride. Fast forward 2 months, and the insurance has settled, I've sold my Hardley, and broke down and bought the KTM ???
With the exception of the chain, there is not much about this bike to not like. Power is awesome, in all gears, throughout the powerband. I've got just over 1000 miles on it now, no issues, just big grins ::001::
I took it easy the first few miles
I finally got brave and took it over the Sandia mountains the back way
On the other side, I took a quick ride down RT66
The bike is definitely lighter than my Tenere, and I'm sure it's my imagination, along with all that Koolaid, but it does seem to handle and maneuver much better.
My gas mileage so far is 46MPG, and my range is about 200+ miles per tank. I still have the original TKC80's on it for now, traction is great, I have no complaints so far.
A week ago, I participated in an Iron Butt ride called the "Tour of Honor", I rode the Beemer for the first 4 monuments, but noticed my rear tire was looking too worn to finish the last 3 monuments.
So I blasted home, switched bikes, and continued on. I was surprised how well the TKC's gripped on those mountain curves riding up through Taos to Angel Fire.
Santa Fe Veterans cemetery
Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial
I like riding this Tour of Honor every year, I'm a veteran, and I like to support fellow veterans, and I'm impressed at all the memorials big and small that are out there honoring our nations heroes.
This Saturday, I went and rode section 6 of the NMBDR from Grants to Cuba, it's a decent section of track, I didn't find it overly challenging, but I did enjoy it, nonetheless.
The bike performed flawlessly, climbing every hill and jumping every ditch like the oversized dirt bike that it is
I started off in the mountains north of Grants
Mmmmmmmm, drink deeply of my Kool-aid!
After you drop down off the mountain, you go through a couple of private ranches, always making sure to close the gates behind you
There were soft, sand, roads, and some packed dirt. I could see the ruts caused by the ranchers driving these roads after a recent rain.
Rode past some very old adobe ranches
Came across this water hole out in the middle of nowhere, that is Cabezon in the background
Then the terrain started climbing up onto a mesa, and became tougher, reminded me of Utah
So yea, Im really liking this bike, it's doing everything, and more than I anticipated.
But, I'm still thinking of a 15+ Tenere, I sure do miss my old Tenere, and am pretty sure another one will find it's way into my garage.
Hope you enjoy my little review, that orange Kool-aid sure does taste good
::021::
As I didn't have much hope, I started looking around for a 15+ Tenere.
A friend of mine purchased a KTM 1290 super Duke, and let me take it for a few rides. OMG! The power and handling reminded me so much of my Buell 1125CR.
While I was searching, and waiting for the insurance to settle, I made the mistake of taking a 1290 SAR for a test ride. Same motor as the Duke, with 8.9" of suspension, wow...
I loved it, but still hated the idea of dealing with a chain on a long distance ride. Fast forward 2 months, and the insurance has settled, I've sold my Hardley, and broke down and bought the KTM ???
With the exception of the chain, there is not much about this bike to not like. Power is awesome, in all gears, throughout the powerband. I've got just over 1000 miles on it now, no issues, just big grins ::001::
I took it easy the first few miles
I finally got brave and took it over the Sandia mountains the back way
On the other side, I took a quick ride down RT66
The bike is definitely lighter than my Tenere, and I'm sure it's my imagination, along with all that Koolaid, but it does seem to handle and maneuver much better.
My gas mileage so far is 46MPG, and my range is about 200+ miles per tank. I still have the original TKC80's on it for now, traction is great, I have no complaints so far.
A week ago, I participated in an Iron Butt ride called the "Tour of Honor", I rode the Beemer for the first 4 monuments, but noticed my rear tire was looking too worn to finish the last 3 monuments.
So I blasted home, switched bikes, and continued on. I was surprised how well the TKC's gripped on those mountain curves riding up through Taos to Angel Fire.
Santa Fe Veterans cemetery
Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial
I like riding this Tour of Honor every year, I'm a veteran, and I like to support fellow veterans, and I'm impressed at all the memorials big and small that are out there honoring our nations heroes.
This Saturday, I went and rode section 6 of the NMBDR from Grants to Cuba, it's a decent section of track, I didn't find it overly challenging, but I did enjoy it, nonetheless.
The bike performed flawlessly, climbing every hill and jumping every ditch like the oversized dirt bike that it is
I started off in the mountains north of Grants
Mmmmmmmm, drink deeply of my Kool-aid!
After you drop down off the mountain, you go through a couple of private ranches, always making sure to close the gates behind you
There were soft, sand, roads, and some packed dirt. I could see the ruts caused by the ranchers driving these roads after a recent rain.
Rode past some very old adobe ranches
Came across this water hole out in the middle of nowhere, that is Cabezon in the background
Then the terrain started climbing up onto a mesa, and became tougher, reminded me of Utah
So yea, Im really liking this bike, it's doing everything, and more than I anticipated.
But, I'm still thinking of a 15+ Tenere, I sure do miss my old Tenere, and am pretty sure another one will find it's way into my garage.
Hope you enjoy my little review, that orange Kool-aid sure does taste good
::021::