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And, as we had six bikes to test and not much time to travel, we<br />
chose the closest road with a few twisties. This was represented<br />
in the form of the nature reserve and wildlife infested Kromdraai.<br />
I felt we cannot compare all the bikes on the same level as<br />
the “Big” three were not only double the price of the others but<br />
also double the performance. Realistically buyers in this segment<br />
would either be looking at bike over 180K or wondering how<br />
much fuel they can conserve with the other three.<br />
BMW was clever enough to lend us an XR that had not been<br />
run in, so it was annoyingly limited to 9000rpm or 203km/h.<br />
Clad with an Akrapovic slip on, auto blipping and all the usual<br />
bells and whistles, the BMW was the brutal go to bike during the<br />
test. Relentless power, razor-sharp handling and butter smooth<br />
gearbox, The XR delivered (although restricted) flawlessly on all<br />
fronts. It’s a high bike so if you cannot change a room’s lighbulb<br />
without a ladder I would look at other options.<br />
The Multistrada with 10000km on it and river sand in the air<br />
box, felt clunky and aged in comparison. Like a boxer who has<br />
taken one too many head shots or perhaps a demo bike with<br />
one too many cold starts. The Ducati is fast, aggressive and<br />
turns with precision. The challenge I had was that this particular<br />
bike felt ragged and abused. As journalists our impressions<br />
and emotions are normally transferred to text, so it makes me<br />
wonder whether the dealers care or our opinion might as well be<br />
like political promises. Of no substance.<br />
The KTM 1290 GT is an impressive little vixen that bares its<br />
teeth at the merest feathering of the throttle and is relentless in<br />
its acceleration. Dynamically stable at speed, the bike displays<br />
odd stability characteristics at very slow speeds. It’s has a new<br />
fully electronic suspension system so perhaps it’s demonstrating<br />
some ghosts in that new machine. Its looks shorter than the<br />
“I LOVED EVERY SECOND<br />
IN THE SADDLE. THE SEAT MIGHT NOT BE<br />
AS COMFY, BUT WHILST ON THE BACK WHEEL ITS<br />
THE LAST THING ON YOUR MIND. THE GT IS MORE OF<br />
A SUPERBIKE AND IS WAY MORE AGGRESSIVE THAN<br />
OTHER SPORTS TOURERS. BUT IN THE RIGHT HANDS<br />
IT CAN DO WHEELIES FROM ROBOT TO ROBOT<br />
AND STILL BE A BIKE THAT YOU CAN TOUR<br />
DOWN THE 22 IN STYLE.” Kyle<br />
40 RIDEFAST MAGAZINE JULY 2016
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