This. If garage space wasn't at a premium in SF I'd probably have 2 or three bikes and I'd certainly not be looking to sell the 599.
This. If garage space wasn't at a premium in SF I'd probably have 2 or three bikes and I'd certainly not be looking to sell the 599.
Can't say I'll do another Ducati at least for a long time. The Diavel is also too cruiser. I require upright, dirt bike-ish riding position.
The power is supposed to be pretty ridiculous though.
The power is supposed to be pretty ridiculous though.
Joined Apr 2017
244 Posts | 1+
California
Horses For Courses!
Interesting takes on various bikes. I'm just learning the Hyper ... and so far, it's better than I thought it would be on several fronts.
I'm only 5'6" ... so, first off, this little bike FITS ME. (very few really do fit me!) I doubt many riders are my size and I'd surmise most are too big for the little Hyper? (IE: Monkey Humping Football comes to mind!
)
I've owned over 50 bikes going back to about 1962. Only 2 BMW's ... a 1981 BMW R80GS (wish I never sold it!) and '82 R100RS. (one the least reliable bikes I ever owned!)
Spent lots of hours testing ALL the GS's from R100 up to R1200GS. I disliked ALL the GS's save two: my R80 .. and the R1200GS. The 1200 was SO MUCH lighter and better than all that came before, IMHO. Newest one I have not ridden but by all accounts it even better still ... LOTS more power.
The GS cannot do real trail riding but good on most fire roads. Baja destroys lots of GS's every year. Been there, towed them out, applied the JB Weld to busted cases.
But for our California nasty paved roads, not much better. You can ride the GS all day and not get all that fatigued. Pack the Mule up as much as you like and it won't even notice the load ... and neither will the pilot.
BMW got a lot right with the latest version but they can still be plagued with trouble if you ride a lot of ROUGH, washboard off road. Eats up the final drive.
I'm sure as I put more miles on my new to me Hyper I'll find fault. But so far
here are a few positives I've found in my very short time aboard:
1. Wonderful suspension (Andriano)
2. More comfy than I thought it would be. 3 hours straight ... no problem so far. Getting used to it. Somehow, it works.
3. Once I got used weight & balance, found a good handling bike. I did touch down a few times. But very confidence inspiring for me ... not bad for a FIRST RIDE, as it usually takes me a week on a bike to figure it out and start pushing a bit. Every ride gets better.
4. Wind noise buffeting not bad at all! First shield ever that actually works without mods.
5. This bike not wickedly fast, has weak low end ... but somehow super fun just about everywhere. And if you rev it a bit ... it goes pretty good.
Won't really know until next ride with hooligan buddies (5) riding KTM 1290's. I know on long open straights, they'll be gone. But I'm thinking I may be able to keep pace through tighter corners.
The most experienced guys I know now ALL aboard KTM. If KTM made a bike I could fit on ... I'd own one. Maybe the 690 Duke?
I will keep my DR650 Rat Bike, Baja Blaster. It's better than 80% of all the bikes I've owned or ridden. (No one knows about this bike ... and most could care less)
... except the 25 million members who've read the BIG DR650 thread over on ADV Rider Thumpers. Truly cheap and cheerful.
If you fit, I'd skip the BMW GS ... get the KTM.
Interesting takes on various bikes. I'm just learning the Hyper ... and so far, it's better than I thought it would be on several fronts.
I'm only 5'6" ... so, first off, this little bike FITS ME. (very few really do fit me!) I doubt many riders are my size and I'd surmise most are too big for the little Hyper? (IE: Monkey Humping Football comes to mind!
)I've owned over 50 bikes going back to about 1962. Only 2 BMW's ... a 1981 BMW R80GS (wish I never sold it!) and '82 R100RS. (one the least reliable bikes I ever owned!)
Spent lots of hours testing ALL the GS's from R100 up to R1200GS. I disliked ALL the GS's save two: my R80 .. and the R1200GS. The 1200 was SO MUCH lighter and better than all that came before, IMHO. Newest one I have not ridden but by all accounts it even better still ... LOTS more power.
The GS cannot do real trail riding but good on most fire roads. Baja destroys lots of GS's every year. Been there, towed them out, applied the JB Weld to busted cases.
But for our California nasty paved roads, not much better. You can ride the GS all day and not get all that fatigued. Pack the Mule up as much as you like and it won't even notice the load ... and neither will the pilot.
BMW got a lot right with the latest version but they can still be plagued with trouble if you ride a lot of ROUGH, washboard off road. Eats up the final drive.
I'm sure as I put more miles on my new to me Hyper I'll find fault. But so far
here are a few positives I've found in my very short time aboard:
1. Wonderful suspension (Andriano)
2. More comfy than I thought it would be. 3 hours straight ... no problem so far. Getting used to it. Somehow, it works.
3. Once I got used weight & balance, found a good handling bike. I did touch down a few times. But very confidence inspiring for me ... not bad for a FIRST RIDE, as it usually takes me a week on a bike to figure it out and start pushing a bit. Every ride gets better.
4. Wind noise buffeting not bad at all! First shield ever that actually works without mods.
5. This bike not wickedly fast, has weak low end ... but somehow super fun just about everywhere. And if you rev it a bit ... it goes pretty good.
Won't really know until next ride with hooligan buddies (5) riding KTM 1290's. I know on long open straights, they'll be gone. But I'm thinking I may be able to keep pace through tighter corners.
The most experienced guys I know now ALL aboard KTM. If KTM made a bike I could fit on ... I'd own one. Maybe the 690 Duke?
I will keep my DR650 Rat Bike, Baja Blaster. It's better than 80% of all the bikes I've owned or ridden. (No one knows about this bike ... and most could care less)
... except the 25 million members who've read the BIG DR650 thread over on ADV Rider Thumpers.
Truly cheap and cheerful. If you fit, I'd skip the BMW GS ... get the KTM.
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Don't know about the support but I've test rode it and have to say I really liked it, much like the Hyper, only more...
Interesting takes on various bikes. I'm just learning the Hyper ... and so far, it's better than I thought it would be on several fronts.
I'm only 5'6" ... so, first off, this little bike FITS ME. (very few really do fit me!) I doubt many riders are my size and I'd surmise most are too big for the little Hyper? (IE: Monkey Humping Football comes to mind!
I've owned over 50 bikes going back to about 1962. Only 2 BMW's ... a 1981 BMW R80GS (wish I never sold it!) and '82 R100RS. (one the least reliable bikes I ever owned!)
Spent lots of hours testing ALL the GS's from R100 up to R1200GS. I disliked ALL the GS's save two: my R80 .. and the R1200GS. The 1200 was SO MUCH lighter and better than all that came before, IMHO. Newest one I have not ridden but by all accounts it even better still ... LOTS more power.
The GS cannot do real trail riding but good on most fire roads. Baja destroys lots of GS's every year. Been there, towed them out, applied the JB Weld to busted cases.
But for our California nasty paved roads, not much better. You can ride the GS all day and not get all that fatigued. Pack the Mule up as much as you like and it won't even notice the load ... and neither will the pilot.
BMW got a lot right with the latest version but they can still be plagued with trouble if you ride a lot of ROUGH, washboard off road. Eats up the final drive.
I'm sure as I put more miles on my new to me Hyper I'll find fault. But so far
here are a few positives I've found in my very short time aboard:
1. Wonderful suspension (Andriano)
2. More comfy than I thought it would be. 3 hours straight ... no problem so far. Getting used to it. Somehow, it works.
3. Once I got used weight & balance, found a good handling bike. I did touch down a few times. But very confidence inspiring for me ... not bad for a FIRST RIDE, as it usually takes me a week on a bike to figure it out and start pushing a bit. Every ride gets better.
4. Wind noise buffeting not bad at all! First shield ever that actually works without mods.
5. This bike not wickedly fast, has weak low end ... but somehow super fun just about everywhere. And if you rev it a bit ... it goes pretty good.
Won't really know until next ride with hooligan buddies (5) riding KTM 1290's. I know on long open straights, they'll be gone. But I'm thinking I may be able to keep pace through tighter corners.
The most experienced guys I know now ALL aboard KTM. If KTM made a bike I could fit on ... I'd own one. Maybe the 690 Duke?
I will keep my DR650 Rat Bike, Baja Blaster. It's better than 80% of all the bikes I've owned or ridden. (No one knows about this bike ... and most could care less)
... except the 25 million members who've read the BIG DR650 thread over on ADV Rider Thumpers.
If you fit, I'd skip the BMW GS ... get the KTM.
Are you a regular SMR-er? I've done it a few times, but not a regular. A little too far for me. It was pretty interesting getting absolutely smoked by a VStrom 1000 as if I was standing still, and then smoked again by 3 KTM 1190's in a row - within 3 seconds of each other.
Save maybe 1 or 2 of us, I think members of this forum primarily rides onroad. A lot of my favorite roads are pretty torn up, but still nothing like the stuff you encounter offroad. The most offroad I've done on a street bike was FH7, and it was so graded and smooth it's more like a really dirty street. Drifting at 80mph is pretty
though. Anyway... my point is, whatever bike I get will be a street bike, rough pot holed roads are the extent of the tough duty it will see.As much as I love the KTM in theory, there are so many horror stories!!
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Did you ever come to one of the Reno Dust Devil Dual Sport Rides with Kari Prager?
Joined Apr 2017
244 Posts | 1+
California
Are you a regular SMR-er? I've done it a few times, but not a regular. A little too far for me. It was pretty interesting getting absolutely smoked by a VStrom 1000 as if I was standing still, and then smoked again by 3 KTM 1190's in a row - within 3 seconds of each other.
Save maybe 1 or 2 of us, I think members of this forum primarily rides onroad. A lot of my favorite roads are pretty torn up, but still nothing like the stuff you encounter offroad. The most offroad I've done on a street bike was FH7, and it was so graded and smooth it's more like a really dirty street. Drifting at 80mph is pretty
As much as I love the KTM in theory, there are so many horror stories!!
Agree on KTM horror stories! I've heard quite a few too, only owned two KTM's, tested several. Owned a 2001 Duke ll and raced a 300exc two stroke years ago. Both fine, no problems. Good news is latest big twins are more reliable than earlier versions.
The pic I posted above is in Cooper Canyon. We tried and unknown route, got lost for a day before we found way out. Vstrom, R12GS and 955i Tiger. Very rough going, lucky to have made it out.
Did TWO rides where KTM 950SE, 990 **** the bed ... major blow ups. Western warranty covered one of them. I towed one using DR650 to nearest town.
Took six months to resolve. Bike is STILL on the road after two complete rebuilds! I've ridden SMR off and on since 1980. NOT a regular but I know well and ride with some regulars. Witnessed some tragedies, Police action and more.
So now, I might meet the group for Breakfast ... but usually avoid the unofficial "SMR race"! It's mellowed now ... (mostly! :roll eyesGood shopping!
I'm keen to swing you towards the GS, Kuksul, following this little incident I had on an RnineT Scrambler back in December. I was overtaking a car when it suddenly turned into me and the bike. Cylinder head of the boxer engine took all the impact and saved me from a serious leg injury. I'd buy a GS just for that protection alone.
Also, I'm amazed all the XR riding impressions expressed here don't mention the vibration issue with that bike. Maybe you were all riding the new EU4 compliant model, which I hear has solved the problem through lots of rubber mounts for bars, pegs, and seat. EU4 bikes are generally smoother anyway.
Best of luck with the decision. I've enjoyed all your musing on things Hyper.
Also, I'm amazed all the XR riding impressions expressed here don't mention the vibration issue with that bike. Maybe you were all riding the new EU4 compliant model, which I hear has solved the problem through lots of rubber mounts for bars, pegs, and seat. EU4 bikes are generally smoother anyway.
Best of luck with the decision. I've enjoyed all your musing on things Hyper.
Crazy story about the engine saving your leg. Never would have thought about that.
I noticed the vibes on the 2016 I rode. It was noticeable, but not a deal breaker. It was a 0 mile bike and apparently they smooth out a little. Either way - if I decide to go XR I decided to wait til 2018 (September this year). Otherwise the GS will be next, whenever I can find one for a deal or figure out how to afford a new one.
Well guys... I did a thing.
I had the dealer install new bar end weights immediately. The vibrations are a non-issue. You feel a slight buzz at 4500RPM, but no more than the hyper at highway speeds.
Some random thoughts:
The bike is really good. It's smooth, fast, nimble. The biggest thing that really gets me is just how stable it is in a turn. You throw it into a corner and it just stays exactly where you put it. The riding position sits you inside the bike, so you feel more at one with the machine rather than perched on top.
The seat is horrible and must be modified or changed. Too hard and the edges are too sharp. I am going to have it rounded off with slightly softer foam.
The quick shifter is like cheating. I prefer shifting on my own because it's more fun.
The bike is super stable on the highway and you don't get tossed around by the wind.
The suspension is very stiff so you feel everything, but it doesn't upset the chassis. So you know exactly what's going on between the road and the tire, but it doesn't send the big jolts into your body or hands causing adverse rider inputs.
Overall, it's a highly refined bike. It doesn't have the roaring V-Twin grunt of the hyper that sends you wildly wheelying, and the sound (while very very good) isn't quite as aggressive or thunderous as the hyper. I will need to ride it more before providing a real review, but so far it's mostly positive.
Now I must figure out how to attach my lights to it...
I had the dealer install new bar end weights immediately. The vibrations are a non-issue. You feel a slight buzz at 4500RPM, but no more than the hyper at highway speeds.
Some random thoughts:
The bike is really good. It's smooth, fast, nimble. The biggest thing that really gets me is just how stable it is in a turn. You throw it into a corner and it just stays exactly where you put it. The riding position sits you inside the bike, so you feel more at one with the machine rather than perched on top.
The seat is horrible and must be modified or changed. Too hard and the edges are too sharp. I am going to have it rounded off with slightly softer foam.
The quick shifter is like cheating. I prefer shifting on my own because it's more fun.
The bike is super stable on the highway and you don't get tossed around by the wind.
The suspension is very stiff so you feel everything, but it doesn't upset the chassis. So you know exactly what's going on between the road and the tire, but it doesn't send the big jolts into your body or hands causing adverse rider inputs.
Overall, it's a highly refined bike. It doesn't have the roaring V-Twin grunt of the hyper that sends you wildly wheelying, and the sound (while very very good) isn't quite as aggressive or thunderous as the hyper. I will need to ride it more before providing a real review, but so far it's mostly positive.
Now I must figure out how to attach my lights to it...
congrats on the XR, I'm thinking it has to be a great bike. It just has 2 too many cylinders... '-)
If I was going to go for 4 cylinders, I like the S1000R and the Tuono but probably will never happen...
If I was going to go for 4 cylinders, I like the S1000R and the Tuono but probably will never happen...
I've always liked 4 cylinders... that electric feel, and the sound. Just what I was raised around. 1 cylinder is also nice
I love the Tuono but won't do Italian again.
Joined May 2015
925 Posts | 9+
Dallas, Texas
Enjoy the BMW, a bike that makes the GS feel smaller.
It is fun to switch around motorcycles and compared to other hobbies far less expensive making the switch.
BMW is doing a great job with their offerings. Durable bikes capable of taking the abuse bad roads offer.
It is fun to switch around motorcycles and compared to other hobbies far less expensive making the switch.
BMW is doing a great job with their offerings. Durable bikes capable of taking the abuse bad roads offer.
I've always liked 4 cylinders... that electric feel, and the sound. Just what I was raised around. 1 cylinder is also nice
This is why I won't sell my Suzuki Savage having bought the Hyper and having a V-Star 650 available to ride also.
The thumper engine bikes are really a fun little kick in the pants. I love the primitivism of it.
I ride the Savage and the Hyper constantly, I switch back and forth as mood and necessity dictate. Both bikes are great fun but sometimes one scratches and itch the other can't. And the Tumper itch makes me scratch a lot.
Joined Feb 2017
232 Posts | 0+
Washington, DC
Yeah, the XR is incredibly nimble. I really appreciate the GS for what it is, but I wanted the excitement of the sport bike.
I feel you there. There is no such thing as having just one bike to do it all, in an ideal world. There is always something more capable or that just suits the mood better.
Thanks!
Now I am horribly conflicted with what to do with the Hyper. It's easy to jump to conclusions with a new bike, but the XR really is good. Put 100 miles on it today and it delivered in every way possible, except for comfort on very bumpy roads. I will wait til I have a couple thousand miles on it before selling anything.
