I'm also growing into a fan of the 1290 family of KTMs, especially the new ones! The 19 GT gets up/down quickshifting now and a little power bump, plus a very nice screen.
Whatsmore, there is a nice family of parts to pick and pull to upgrade the LC8 motors.
I've been through a lot of bikes in my search, including a Triumph Trophy 900, BMW R1100 RT, and BMW R1200RT that I sold after getting the Rocket 3 Roadster.
I commute and tour (24,000 on the Roadster in 23 months and counting).
The Roadster is more comfortable long distance than the RT (which is a fine bike, btw) and in my opinion does everything better except handling on the twisties.
I've ridden the Rocket nearly 800 miles in a day (not again!).
My only concern is fewer dealerships compared to some other bikes, but I guess I'm willing to take a chance, otherwise... Gold Wing.
The only way to truly tick all boxes is to buy a honda c70 step thru ! If it's mechanical , it will give trouble at some time or another . I was bit of a KTM fan until I learned that they can access the ecu remotely to cause gremlins that only a dealer can rectify with upgraded software , solely to keep the home mechanic paying out ! sounds like science fiction ? 10 years ago my bruv in law worked for a formula 1 team , the factory tech teams were remapping the engines lap by lap during winter practice at Assen . Not from trackside tho , but from the factorys themselves in Japan !
Kinda like my rocket. At first I was a bit concerned about breakdowns, weight, handling, but this thing can handle great and has the grunt to go two up with bags and still go like a .....flamin rocket. The more I ride it the more I like it. I'm sure the designers thought it was a bit over the top when they designed it, but it just works, and bloody well.
I agree about the one bike thing. As this question was put I understood it to be the one do all bike for all conditions all year long. The Super Duke is not a touring bike and therefore out of the running for me. We do travel on trips of three to ten days at a time and I need carrying capacity and wind management. Music is nice to have also.
Therefore it has to be a bike like a GW, Indian or HD that is nice to ride all year long. The R3 and Duke are secondary bikes for me and I am glad I can afford such luxuries.
@Dr D think you have it narrowed down well. I'd choose Goldwing, The Indian Roadmaster, or a Harley Road or Streetglide. All 3 are built to travel. I loved my Roadglide... but not as much as I do my R3t
@Dr D think you have it narrowed down well. I'd choose Goldwing, The Indian Roadmaster, or a Harley Road or Streetglide. All 3 are built to travel. I loved my Roadglide... but not as much as I do my R3t
I just did a four day tour on the Roadster and it would not have been possible if my wife had not been hauling our gear on the RM. I'll post a thread on that later. After four days I felt more neck fatigue than I usually would have if I had been on a bike with a wind shield. So on most rides I like or need to have stuff packed and protected from elements for maximum comfort.