Quote:
Originally Posted by
steveD
PS Only me and Scottnet were there form this forum, where was everyone else? (It was pretty hardcore, raining and windy!)
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Here's your answer.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by
steveD
I was at a meet of the ABR
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I'm sure there are some good guys over there (I know there are), but they have a higher than average allocation of,,, well,,, people I'd rather not converse with - so I never visit the site anymore. To be honest, most of the forums are unpleasant places, with the exception of here and the Crosstourer forum. I don't even visit HU for the same reasons.
Back on subject, I've said for a while that I feel we'll see a MT-07/09 'Tenere' edition. Something with a nod to the 660Z, but like the Tiger 800, a watered down, tech'd up road going sheep in wolfs clothing.
I was disappointed with the new AT, but not surprised. It feels like the Ten to sit on, but very much a soft-roader. Once the dealers demo bike is on the road in January, I'll have a better idea
So it's KTM and CCM in the ~600 class of singles - neither of which I'd trust over the Z. Faster, lighter and better looking maybe, but not a Ten, although I think the 690 Enduro is my best alternative, and NickW's hasn't let him down in South America ... yet.
Of course it is possible that the 450 class might just take off, Dakar replicas would probably sell to those seeking the image, and Yamaha have a good enough story to tell.
Manufacturers are chasing the money, and the money comes in the form of middle aged, cash rich types who pay as much (if not more) attention to image, over capability. This years NEC Motorcycle Live was pretty uninspiring as far as the mainstream manufacturers are concerned, and Yamaha's looked the best line up.