Thought I start a discussion on new models introduced in 2019 and get people's thoughts and views. I saw this yesterday: https://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/bikes/classic/bonneville-scrambler-1200/scrambler-1200-xe They are planning to enter Baja 1000 with a slightly modified version.. we'll see how that goes. I personally was surprised that the weight of the bike stayed around 200kg. It won't be cheap, but they've done a decent job to create a true scrambler.
I don’t think there is a scrambler made that is truly capable. Most are a styling exercise. I can’t imagine the bike will use stock suspension for the baja. I purchased a BMW scrambler this year and while I love the bike and it is great for gravel roads, it is not a scrambler. There are lots of nice bikes showing up. It sure beats 07,08,09 when there were very few new models.
haha "slightly modified" if I was looking for a scrambler.... this looks pretty good. Ducati Desert Sled.
Duc is 25lbs lighter.... both have 200mm travel front and back. People still trying to get to where we were in 1981 with the R80G/S - 372lbs versus the 425 of the Duc / 450 of the 1200.
...other than styling, what's the fascination with scramblers and taking them off-road? Aren't they something that existed BEFORE proper dirt (and perhaps 'adventure') bikes were invented? I love the look, but they aren't too capable in the street/track, offer no wind protection for touring and seem too low/heavy for any serious off-road.. Am I missing something?
a lot of people buy adventure bikes and them put 80/20 tires on them... a scrambler is a match bike for those 80/20 tires... many people, including me, don't like the wind protection, a scrambler provides good street performance and then able to go explore dirt/forest roads - I would not call that off-road. So in short provides a little styling and (stability?) for street cruising.... also might be easier to manage for shorter riders. The desert sled and that other 1200 thing above are crossing over into the vintage style adventure like the old GS.... I would imagine they would be a lot of fun. My GS is very capable with suspension that is equivalent to both above.. It's a lot of fun everywhere, even mostly dry ATV trails, not so good crossing the prairies!
The guys I work with love those new scrambler bikes and none of them are off road riders. It's purely a style and image thing.
Bought mine for the motor. And it hasn’t disappointed me. It’s prob the last generation of bmw oil/air cooled. Always wanted one, since looking at the bmw’s parked outside the American hotel in Niagara when I was delivering newspapers in the 70’s. Decided that I didn’t want the learning curve on maintenance involved in an older airhead. Maybe in retirement. Not as bulky as a g/s and a little more gravel than the r. It’s a great commuter for me and then head up to Georgian Bay on gravel.
the old airheads are easy... I have 3, may regret going to 2. My "r" road version is up sale. It is an amazing running and handling bike. Just suffering from lack of garage space. this is where the "r" originated: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-sport-touring/peterborough/bmw-r100r/1393397241
KTM 790 introduced... https://canadamotoguide.com/2018/11/06/ktm-790-adventure-790-adventure-r-unveiled/
The Yamaha Tenere 700 specs and availability are out too: http://www.advpulse.com/adv-news/specs-and-availability-released-for-much-anticipated-tenere-700/ The KTM 790 looks like the ultimate machine for longer type adventure rides with serious off-road capabilities and under 200kg..
2019 KTM 690 http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/ktm-adds-a-little-adventure-to-the-2019-ktm-690-enduro-r/ Ugh, such a tease..
I'm lusting over that Yamaha instead.... Too bad its not available for practically 2 more years.. Going to be almost outdated by that time...
BMW F860GS Adventure http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/bmw-f850gs-adventure-announced/ Can someone explain to me how will that exhaust at the bottom (just behind the skid plate) survive any obstacle/log crossing? Also, heavyyyy GQelements, I totally agree with you. It took them way too long. By then, Honda might come out with this: http://www.advpulse.com/adv-bikes/meet-the-honda-crf450l-rally-concept/ And if they have normal (not racing) service intervals, it’s gonna challenge a lot of bikes.
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2019/march/ajp-pr7-adventure-bike/ This might challenge the Husky 701, especially at that price
...its an old husky engine in there, ironically...BTW. love the bike, except for the consumer tablet....
I contacted AJP Canada on facebook and they told me that they are currently working on getting the PR7 approved by DOT Canada so it can be street legal here. That means if that goes well, it should be available soon