Hi Everyone,
I am considering a new bike, I currently have a 2019 Yamaha Tracer MT07 Lams. Its a great bike but lacks some of the nice technology things I would like. I am now on a full licence and am considering the 3 bikes in the title. My riding for this bike will be mostly, open roads, weekend rides, dirt roads. Its a pleasure bike not a commuter and probably wont go beyond the North Island, it won’t be doing any dirt tracks, I have a TW200 for that fun which is like a go anywhere tractor. I read mixed reviews in the blogs of the BMW 750GS having Engine problems(Chinese motor I think), noisy engines etc, its a concern… I would like cruise control, I have a good throttle lock on my current bike but its a compromise and just good enough to take your hand off the accelerator to let the blood circulate. The choice of these bikes is around size and height(I am 172cm), I don’t want to be on tip toes. Any feedback and thoughts on these would be great, my lean is towards the BMW, then the Yamaha then the Tiger. Your experience/s will be valued.
Cheers,
Lawrence.
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Hi Lawrence, I only adding my comment on tis because seems to be you are doing (going to do) the same thing what I do. The minor difference is I have companion most of the time on longer trips, also I often use my bike to get to work as well. What I have is a 2017 R1200GS, which isn’t on your short list, so this is really reflects what I think. A little background on me. I returned to ride after a substantial amount of time about five years ago. I used to ride small two stroke bikes, so I thought having a 500 or 800 cc cruiser would do everything for me. I was fundamentally wrong. Soon after a couple of close calls on a Suzuki Boulevard (gravel on sealed back roads) i decided to get a “heavy” go anywhere bike and ended up with an R1150GS. I felt it on the test ride this is the bike I want. After a season on the road and about 10k km, I switched to an early R1200GS, then finally got my current bike which is way superior in so many ways. It has all the features what you mentioned and even more. In my opinion the best touring bike with less compromises. Electronically adjustable suspension, riding modes (adjust ABS, traction control, throttle response etc) are simple, but very effective. Gives me all the confidence I want. It has enough power to move all the gear what I and my pillion need for even a multi day trip. To be very honest, before I bought my current bike, i was looking at other options (as my budget increased) and I couldn’t justify any other bikes at the time. I was looking at various Tigers, the Africa Twin, even the 09 Tracer. All had more compromises than the GS. I’m about 5-7cm toller than you but I never had issue to keep my foot on the ground (apart from the occasion when the suspension set to two person and I’m alone, but that is really a matter of pushing a button). Anyway, I guess you will test ride all of your “candidates”, I think worth it to add the 1200GS (post 2013) to the list.
Interesting choices, the Tracer stands out as a road bike amongst 2 adventure models. With the BMW and Triumph having 19″ front wheels they should deal with potholes and the generally rougher nature of unsealed roads better than the Yamaha with it’s 17 inch front wheel. It also looks like the BMW and Triumph have some sort of bash plate to stop stones hitting the bottom of the motor which the Yamaha does not.
Beyond that ride them all and buy the one that makes you grin most.
So what did you buy @Lawrence Lewis?