XT800Z

[GrahamD]

I think most Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki owners would actually be on a Triumph / BMW / Ducati / Guzzi / KTM if it was not for worries over reliability and delaer support - real or imagined, this is all that has stopped the Europeans putting the Japs out of business long ago.

How much "weight" do you think, the British put on "European" brands.

In OZ you can make a really basic BORING BMW that sells for twice the price of a fully optioned Corolla/Mazda and people will buy them in pretty good numbers.

Now I had a go at one once and was expecting to be impressed by the "Sheer driving pleasure". Nope. it was a real let down. The only plus was that it had good suspension and steering, if you were on a race track.

Same with the VW's out here. 40% up on the equivalent Japanese. I liked the Hyundai better. The VW was just cheap cheap. Guy at work drove one for three years and decided it couldn't take real world roads. It was rattling to bits. He's going back to Subaru. There is a big recall going on as well with "sudden power loss" issues.

It is true that most people get emotionally attached to a purchase and then justify that after the fact. That will either be because it looks good, it is something that they wanted when they were young and can now afford and it has lot's of buttons. It shows they have arrived etc.

With the S10 it was a case of getting excited a little bit at a time as all the real world experiences came in and getting excited that this was the bike to tick the boxes. Only knew about YAMAHA from some interesting things they had done that caught my "Engineer" eye over the years and they seemed a bit "quirky" in there own way.

I just wonder how the triple will make them feel regards the "British" alternatives. Do they have to be 40% better to get a shoe in?

 

[snakebitten]

Every "other".

Half way around the ball. AND on the other side of the equator.

Basically, the mirror opposite of Texas.

Dallara,

Not mirror opposite of Texans.
Mirror opposite of Texas.....geographically.
It's a weather report post. Hotter than hell in Texas while it is winter in Australia.

Your comparison of the folks from both, is a completely different subject. One I have confirmed personally. And from the seat of an Super Tenere!

 

[Rasher]

How much "weight" do you think, the British put on "European" brands

We have some patriots, not as many as the USA, but a few Brits really must buy British, and I think it has an influence with a larger number, where they cannot decide between a Triumph and A.N.Other the Triumph will get the nod.

I think Ducati's, MV's and KTM's are often thought of as exotic and cool, whereas BMW just have their own followers for no other reason than it is a BMW, Guzzi may also have some die hard customers (who also keep the beard trimmer manufacturers in business)

I think the "weight" is often small, but enough to tip a decision over the Japs who are often seen as a bit bland and "all the same", and with identical capacities / power / number of cylinders /Bore and Stroke across each bike type I would agree.

I know some people believe character does not exist (or refers to defects and faults) but some bikes do seem to add up to much more than the sum of their parts, although the Japs have pulled this trick a few times - most likely by accident though.

I think the Japs have now noticed and are starting to produce more and more interesting and diverse machines, the Triumph triples have sat alone for years with nobody else taking a swipe, odd after the Japs were desperate to build twins on the back of Ducati's success in the nineties.

I guess an 800cc Tenere could go for the Triumph and BMW offerings in this region, which (currently) is far less cramped than the 1000 - 1200cc large capacity ADV market which is now overrun with choice, I am surprised Honda did not build an 800cc Transalp to take on the BMW which has had its own way in this region....

...which I think is a potential growth area, many folk want somewhere to progress to after their Wee-Stroms and Baby Versys but without going for the full on 1200cc beasts such as the S10, but they need to hurry before it is awash with other offerings.

 

[PowersUSA]

Other side of the equator or southern hemisphere.

Technical term is Antipodes.

See whats on the other side of the globe from you here: http://www.findlatitudeandlongitude.com/antipode-map/#.Ub9fUECcd9M

 

[Swagger]

It won't be long before I've cleared through my garage. It is my intention to own a bunch of European bikes .... I have two Triumphs right now that have replaced Japanese machines and the Tenere will be the next to go. I'll have an 800/850 adventure ride for playing but I want another touring bike and that's almost definitely going to be a K1600GT. I personally like the European engineering on offer today .... more so than the Japanese offerings. The only cars/trucks I ever owned have been Dodge, Ford, Chevy, Land Rover, Mercedes and BMW. Driven most other brands but not been tempted by them. Doubt they're any better or worse just not pressing the right buttons. I do like my current BMW though .... cool car with a heck of lot of kit on it. ::008::

 

[snakebitten]

Technical term is Antipodes.

See whats on the other side of the globe from you here: http://www.findlatitudeandlongitude.com/antipode-map/#.Ub9fUECcd9M

Looks like if I took a short cut by drilling a hole through the earth, I would need floaties. Would need to swim a bit to get to the beach in OZ.
But it IS the closes piece of dirt under me.

Interesting. Thanks for the link.

 

[Yamaguy55]

Or you could just go to Diego Garcia.

 

[squarebore]

Take it as a *HUGE* compliment! ::008::

As you can see from my profile location below my avatar I'm a Texan, and a true Native one. I've spent a lot of time around Aussies, both in J24 sailboat racing and in auto racing... A wonderful, young Aussie Sheila even lived with me for quite a long time, too... And if there was one thing I've found it's this, and I'll try phrasing it a different way:

Texans and Aussies seem to share a lot of the same traits. Independent. Self-reliant. Outspoken. Suspicious of government. Stubborn. Obstinate. Questioning of authority. Gregarious. Enjoying of life. Quick to help. Friendly. Open. Honest. Trustworthy.

I could go on, but you get the idea. For me to equate Aussies to Texans is about as high a compliment as I can give!

Dallara







p.s. - and I realize you may be pulling my leg a bit since you said "atypical Texan", as in *not* representative of a type, group, or class...

~

Yeah just having some fun. I don't take too much seriously. I've read a lot of your stuff and I think you would be an "interesting" person to meet and I mean that as a compliment.

 

[snakebitten]

Yeah just having some fun. I don't take too much seriously. I've read a lot of your stuff and I think you would be an "interesting" person to meet and I mean that as a compliment.

I've met him.

He's nuts.

 

[Dallara]

~


Here's an article with some more interesting details and info on the new MT-09/FZ-09 triple...

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2013/Jun/130618lm.htm

Dallara



~

 

[vilageidgit]

model announcement should be any time soon
http://canadamotoguide.com/2013/09/20/three-times-the-fun-yamaha-fz-09-launch/
quote from article
"I asked Yamaha Canada’s John Bayliss if a future adventure model was in the makings based on the FZ-09 chassis, all I got in return was a smile''

 

[Mzee]

I was looking at the Tiger 800. A yammie 800 is an exciting idea.

 

[Ramseybella]

model announcement should be any time soon
http://canadamotoguide.com/2013/09/20/three-times-the-fun-yamaha-fz-09-launch/
quote from article
"I asked Yamaha Canada’s John Bayliss if a future adventure model was in the makings based on the FZ-09 chassis, all I got in return was a smile''

They are going to have to pull that exhaust package up high on an off road frame this will be interesting.

 

[Big Blu]

And even if the Euros do get it first, we may never get it here in the USA at all...

Dallara



~

Dallara, I'll betya ANOTHER beer the 800 is available in the USA by 2015.... Are ya in? ::025::

I'm a one beer guy but for you I'll make this one exception! ::013::

Regards, Paul

 

[greg the pole]

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soo by 2015, my ST12 should have about 70xxx km on it. I'll put some pure street tires on it, use it as my long distance tourer,
and spring for the new 800.
If I play my cards right, I'll sell my 01 VFR, punt the frankestrom out the door, and replace those two with the new FZ09

A guy needs a plan..

 

[BravoBravo]

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soo by 2015, my ST12 should have about 70xxx km on it. I'll put some pure street tires on it, use it as my long distance tourer,
and spring for the new 800.
If I play my cards right, I'll sell my 01 VFR, punt the frankestrom out the door, and replace those two with the new FZ09

A guy needs a plan..

I like the way you think, Greg! ::012::

-Bruce

 

[immigrant]

1000 km in a day on a 800 triple with loaded panniers will be a very very long day. 1000km in a day on the xt1200 is a walk in the park!!!!
Big bikes = big miles. I will use the 800 for day trips only

 

[lukasteam]

I think if Yamaha will come out with a lighter , more torque and even more off road worthy Super Tenere it would be based on a company's new 1000cc parallel twin engine . Here is the wright up by Cycle Worlds Kevin Cameron :
http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/07/07/new-yamaha-parallel-twin-motorcycle-engine/
Good stuff !!! I would prefer this over the triple ...

 

[greg the pole]

2 cyl, 3 cyl... all tasty stuff.
but yes I agree the more torque the better, it's what we need on these bikes, not high rpm hp

 

[RockyDS]

Geez, all I hear is excuses. I want Gatters Damit! Melted or not

Just because all those old tech ones wouldn't cut it doesn't mean they can;t come up with some unobtainium ones.

You never used to see USD forks either..Get NASA onto it. They will come up with something. ::024::

Forget the unsprung weight, does an adventure bike really need USD forks :question: :question: