test riding the TEX

[nice1myson]

Well Saturday was my first test rid on a TEX and also on an adventure bike  coming from sports bikes a while back now and getting that itch that wouldn't go away , im looking to get back into biking 

I'm after a bike that can commute ,tour , sunday blasts , and durable enough to last me through the crappy british weather..........................so I thought about which bike would best suit my needs 

The TEX was a fantastic bike masses of low down torque in any gear, very comfortable and a lovely sound, although I could do with a better helmet that's a different topic. The TEX is also shaft drive (less maintenance) and stands very tall and proud in congested traffic , and I feel after the test ride I could do massive distance relatively pain free  the weather wasn't the best to throw it into corners , a combination of salt and rain made for a little greasy surface , but im sure I would get used to the handling of the bike as I am a little rusty after a long lay off ( pulled out the car park like bambi on ice ) so overall a n excellent ride 

I then today test rode the sprint gt se , just to compare and see if I was making the right choice ie, sports tourer , or an adventure bike .......The sprint also was a fantastic bike , very comfortable more top end than the TEX and as today was dry I was a little more spirited into the corners , although I did find it a little soft and squiggy , but again a bike that could do massive distance on , the only draw back is it is chain driven ( a little more maintenance ) as I will be using the bike in almost the worst the british weather as to offer apart from snow

I have an appointment at BMW on Friday to test ride the R1200 GS and then Saturday at Yamaha to test ride the SUPER TENERE and the FJR1300 , also hoping to test ride the Honda VFR1200 aswell, so busy busy , but I want to make the correct decision  not like when I had sports bikes swapping and changing every 5 min from one model to another 

feel free to offer any advice and tips as im now confused more than ever 

Shall keep you posted on how the other test rides go 

[teejay]

I have owned a GS which was comfy etc the same as the TEX but I did have a few reliability issues with it and problems with a dealer. It will feel a bit agricultural on you first ride but you do get used to it.

Also had FJR and between me a 3 riding buddies we have had 8 between us!!!! Excellent bit of kit, fast comfy and great for 2 up touring.

One of my mates now moved from 3 FJR's to Super Ten which he likes, more comfy as in leg room and less effort to tip into corners which is what you get with adventure style bikes with big wide bars.

2 of us now on Explorers and well pleased, like the power, handling and being tall the leg room is important to me as the FJR felt a bit cramped on long trips and shaft drive is a big plus for me.

At the end of the day its personal choice and what you intend to use it for.....................me its a plaything, go for days out with mates, race meetings, and europe every year, if you do go for the Explorer I don't think you will be disapointed.

Happy test rides


Teejay

[iExplorer]

And rides on any surface any day of year

[redmerle]

So far it's:

1. Explorer.
2. Sprint.

You're going to have to keep a written note of all this, because if you think you might get confused, so many bikes to test ride would certainly confuse the heck out of me!

[iExplorer]

Sprint can't do this



...otherwise don't bother get a Sprint

[Yamaone]

Seems your over thinking this decision to me.
One big factor for me is more subjective but not any less important and that's the bikes appearance and style. 
The Triumph just LOOKS better then any of the competition.
It's a plus that it also has one of the best motors and is the best overall package than the others.
It just feels right to ride. 

[Malicezn]

Yamaone could be right.

Here's how my decision went:

Me Phoning dealer: I WANT A Z1000SX NOW!

Dealer: I'm sorry we are out of stock and won't have any until the 2014 model arrives. We have no ETA or expected price.

Me: Crap. Do you have any 1200 Explorers?

Dealer: Yep we have a blue one and a black one.

Me: Put a sold sign on the blue one.


Deal complete.

[Big G]

I had the Sprint GT before my TEX.  It is a lovely bike, rides well and is great for most things.  I swapped to the TEX mainly for the riding position and to reduce the pressure on knees and hands.  The TEX is a grew ride in all conditions - handles full luggage and 2 up with ease - but stripped down sold riding can handle like a dream.  I have had my suspension tweaked by an experienced T mechanic - and it made a huge difference - and I would take the TEX now over the Sprint GT any day.  All down to personal choice of course.  Rode the GS when they launched the new model then again when they rang me and offered me a test ride - its good - but it ain't no TEX.

[mjab]

Well I don't envy you trying to make your mind up after that lot. Problem is they will all probably feel really good in their own way as lets be honest there are not really any bad bikes out there.

I'll try and help you here ( tongue in cheek here)

Sprint GT SE - what a package for £9000 on the road - Had the ST 05 model, fantastic two up and luggage on tour as well as solo.

Explorer - what can I say, I bought one a year after getting the 800 and realising I had made a mistake.

Honda VFR 1200 - Not tried it, used to have Honda's all the time - VT500, NTV650, VFR750, VFR800 - would never look at anything else
Test rode the blackbird twice and the pan then the Sprint ST - Got hooked on that triple engine so never became an option

BMW - For some reason they never become an option like above

Yamaha - like the BMW but I also feel the FJR is a bit like a camper van - something you'd want to go on holiday on or a weekend away rather than a blat round the local TT course.

So as it stands I guess really depends on how comfy you want to be, will you need pillion comfort, luggage carrying capacity and whether you want to keep that sports bike option when you want it.

For me it will be a Triumph every time as £ for £ they offer great value and that engine

[Jon]

Originally Posted by Malicezn

Yamaone could be right.

Here's how my decision went:

Me Phoning dealer: I WANT A Z1000SX NOW!

Dealer: I'm sorry we are out of stock and won't have any until the 2014 model arrives. We have no ETA or expected price.

Me: Crap. Do you have any 1200 Explorers?

Dealer: Yep we have a blue one and a black one.

Me: Put a sold sign on the blue one.


Deal complete.

Obviously you aren't very picky if you picked the blue one...   
Congrats and