Comments on: INTERMOT Concepts From Suzuki and Yamaha Point To Future Production Models (Bike Reports) (News)

By: Ricardo

Ricardo — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:16:32 +0000

what’s with all the ugly bikes these days? utilitarian yes, appealing to the eye, no!! and love always comes through your eyes first…

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By: Joe Bogusheimer

Joe Bogusheimer — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 17:30:12 +0000

If anyone was making relatively lightweight liter-class touring bikes with the ergos that these oversized adventure bikes have, more people would probably be riding them instead of adventure bikes. I bought and use my ’02 DL 1000 essentially as a lightweight sport-touring bike. I like the big sport-touring bikes like the FJR, ST, and Concours, but they’re heavier, more expensive, and faster than I really need or want. They also tend to have tighter ergos, which don’t work as well for us lanky types.

Unfortunately, the latest generation of these bikes, like the Versys, are rather hideous. I’d very likely consider the Versys (1000) to replace my old V-Strom, if it wasn’t so damned ugly. Also doesn’t seem to have any provision for a centerstand.

As to this new 1000 V-Strom: the beak I could live with, although I’m not super-keen on the pseudo-dirt styling. I’d hope it would have more power and a better-sorted engine than the original. The stacked headlight set-up seems like it might well be a step backwards from the current setup, and the concept bikes saddlebags look to be compromised by the cutout for the exhaust. While it has downsides, the current dual high inboard muffler setup allows for all manner of aftermarket bags to be mounted.

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By: mark

mark — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:45:36 +0000

and I can’t see the bike while I am riding!

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By: mark

mark — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:44:28 +0000

My current ride, the Tiger 1050 is lighter than most “adventure” bikes and makes a great sport tour, but it is not my favorite on dirt roads.

As the past owner of several (bordering on numerous) Suzuki V-twin engines (SVs and DLs) I sure do like the idea of this bike. The V-twin is an ideal motor for me. Make it less than 500 pounds and I might consider it when I am ready for a change.

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By: kirk66

kirk66 — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:36:41 +0000

I kinda like the Zook. Hopefully they won’t change it much when it goes production. As for the Triple Yam- I like the idea of building a supersport/adventure tour bike in the ilk of Triumph. Seems that the market can handle an Asian triple about about 10% savings from the Triumph.

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By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:22:46 +0000

They absolutely researched it, thoroughly, as did BMW and Ducati. Big companies like that try to take as few guesses as possible. That doesn’t mean they nailed it (wouldn’t we like it too?) but like you point out, the sales leader has it and a sales history validating it.

Now that it’s a signature feature of the category I’d bet BMW will be pretty reluctant to take the risk of removing it.

By: PN

PN — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 09:12:02 +0000

The beak is growing on me. I still think it mars the Ducati Multistrada though, The rest of the new VStrom1000 looks really good. As for the new Yamaha crossplane triples, the R6 needs help because it’s too peaky and torque-free. Kawasaki just bumped the ZX-6R to 636cc. Simple.

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By: skybullet

skybullet — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 21:27:21 +0000

Suzuki’s designers are probably trying to copy the GS, Tiger, big dual sporty look purely for marketing purposes. When they get too creative we see Gladius.
I’ll go with derivative styling any day, not that a clean early BSA/Triumph/60′s Honda look would not be much better. Along that theme, how about lighter, simpler and lower cost without all the fru-fru.
A cheap market test would be a optional beak eliminator, it might even give the bike a distinctive functional look.

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By: todd

todd — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 14:53:33 +0000

Do you really think they are researching this? It is likely they think the nose will associate it with the Big GS and therefore increase its sales. They’re just copying the market leader. I’m sure the GS would sell just as well without a beak. As soon as BMW removes it everyone else will remove theirs.

-todd

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By: Sideshow Bob

Sideshow Bob — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 12:56:53 +0000

MGNorge says:
October 7, 2012 at 5:41 am
“Let me clarify, I used the term “sales gimmick” not because there’s isn’t any engineering merit to it but other than unique sound what does it bring to the street rider?”

There is at least one other benefit to the street rider. Splitting the phase of the crankshaft distributes unbalanced forces within the engine so their amplitude is reduced at any one phase. With a single plane crankshaft on an inline four, the secondary imbalance arrives all at the same time. WIth a Cross Plane crank, the amplitude of this imbalance is cut in half at any one moment, although it does arrive twice as often. But the general consensus is this type of engine feels smoother, whether a twin or a four. So smoothness, better sensation of torque and engine sound could all be considered benefits.

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