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23 Mar 2010
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 - I know but in my "yoof" I remember all kinds of small time British frame builders, Seely, Rickman, Dresda et al putting Jap sports bike engines in hand built frames as the factory ones were rubbish. New sports bikes are so good now and that market has gone but the time I have spent on this site tells me there is a market opportunity for some entrepreneurial outfit in the spirit of the old brit framers but with modern engineering & design techniques to enter this market and make something people actually want.
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23 Mar 2010
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Great idea and I would love to see this happen. But very tough to do a custom adventure bike for any sort of reasonable money ... unless you can do it yourself. Not so easy. Also, the adventure travel/dual sport market is pretty small. In the 60's road racing in the UK/USA had gone wild, everyone was into it. Thousands. Really different world today.
At present I've found a very good compromise for a decent "one up" ready made travel bike. The Suzuki DR650 is turning out to be a much better all round bike than I would have ever imagined possible. It's cheap & cheerful to boot, simple as a squat toilet and tough as a Viet Cong sapper.
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23 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mickey D

At present I've found a very good compromise for a decent "one up" ready made travel bike. The Suzuki DR650 is turning out to be a much better all round bike than I would have ever imagined possible. It's cheap & cheerful to boot, simple as a squat toilet and tough as a Viet Cong sapper. 
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Just a shame that good ones are like rocking horse sh*t this side of the pond
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23 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fastship
 - I know but in my "yoof" I remember all kinds of small time British frame builders, Seely, Rickman, Dresda et al putting Jap sports bike engines in hand built frames as the factory ones were rubbish. New sports bikes are so good now and that market has gone but the time I have spent on this site tells me there is a market opportunity for some entrepreneurial outfit in the spirit of the old brit framers but with modern engineering & design techniques to enter this market and make something people actually want.
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here here..
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24 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fastship
 - I know but in my "yoof" I remember all kinds of small time British frame builders, Seely, Rickman, Dresda et al putting Jap sports bike engines in hand built frames as the factory ones were rubbish. New sports bikes are so good now and that market has gone but the time I have spent on this site tells me there is a market opportunity for some entrepreneurial outfit in the spirit of the old brit framers but with modern engineering & design techniques to enter this market and make something people actually want.
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In theory thats what CCM do ... take engines from engine manufacturers and build a high spec bike with good suspension up around it. They have used DRZ400 engines, and Rotax 650 engines at times ... but they just haven't built a proper adventure bike. They tend to build enduro / trail / supermoto type bikes (just like everyone else unfortunately). They would be the logical guys to petition!
And sadly I suspect as Mickey said, the market is small.
Last edited by colebatch; 24 Mar 2010 at 11:33.
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24 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch
In theory thats what CCM do ... take engines from engine manufacturers and build a high spec bike with good suspension up around it. They have used DRZ400 engines, and Rotax 650 engines at times ... but they just haven't built a proper adventure bike. They tend to build enduro / trail type bikes.
And sadly I suspect as Mickey said, the market is small.
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There are plenty of specialist frame builder/fabricators still around doing better quality stuff than was ever done previously, it's just a question of design. There must be one aspiring motorcycle design student reading this? Feel free to chip in...
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27 Mar 2010
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Since this thread is about Super Tenere xtz1200, I have some information and a video below.
As many people I am dissapointed. I was expecting something different...something lighter...something less expensive.
SUPER TENERE XTZ1200
regards
Antonis
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2 Jun 2010
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Yeah, its a rubbish bike, here's proof...
YouTube - Yamaha XT 1200Z op noppen.
.......4 days till mine arrives....
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2 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Git Ray
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I've seen countless videos like that.... I've seen people race Goldwings on trackdays, ride Pan Europeans over a MX course etc etc. It means F**K all.
In the hands of a very skilled rider, i've got no doubt you could do the same on the 1200 Tenere. If you would want to is a different matter altogether.
From what I can tell, its just a BMW1200GS which will hopefully not break down as much ! Plenty of people have done offroading on those for the sake youtube and Marketing companies too. Get the test rider away from the camera and he will no doubt be tearing around the same track on a 450 single or a 250 2-stroke with a big smile on his face.
When you get your 1200 Tenere, if you want to race me over the beach and through the water on my DRZ400 or even down a flight of steps, i'll bet you some decent cash that you wont be even near my back wheel and i'm not anywhere near a pro rider.
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2 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
I've seen countless videos like that.... I've seen people race Goldwings on trackdays, ride Pan Europeans over a MX course etc etc. It means F**K all.
In the hands of a very skilled rider, i've got no doubt you could do the same on the 1200 Tenere. If you would want to is a different matter altogether.
From what I can tell, its just a BMW1200GS which will hopefully not break down as much ! Plenty of people have done offroading on those for the sake youtube and Marketing companies too. Get the test rider away from the camera and he will no doubt be tearing around the same track on a 450 single or a 250 2-stroke with a big smile on his face.
When you get your 1200 Tenere, if you want to race me over the beach and through the water on my DRZ400 or even down a flight of steps, i'll bet you some decent cash that you wont be even near my back wheel and i'm not anywhere near a pro rider. 
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Blimey.....emotive is'nt it.
Offer respectfully declined....reason....there's a clue in the username and my last competitive ride was on ice in 1978 on a YZ400.
Not sure what prompted a response like that from a tongue in cheek post, but hey, I'm sure you have your reasons.
Kind regards Ray
Edit: Pop in and see me at the Ripley meet. I'll be the one with the motorhome and the Super Tenere.
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3 Jun 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Git Ray
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Congratulations on the new bike Ray.  Always an exciting time!
I think Yamaha have seen a chink here in BMW's Iron Clad dominance of the "Adventure" segment. Yamaha have finally grown a pair and appear ready to barge the queue with a serious machine. Perhaps they can lure in a few BMW buyers with the new 1200 Tenere'? Or will this bike be a hotted up TDM 900? God help them ...
We don't get either Tenere' in the US at present but I'm pretty sure this 1200 bruiser will be making the trip here soon. Big bikes sell in the US.
I think for it's intended purpose the Yamaha could be better than early analysis may indicate. Yes, a bit heavy ... and expensive. But if it handles well at speed on the road and behaves OK loaded up with pillion. I'd also bet it will be a great rough road bike ... not OFF road. "But one never know, do one" (Fats Waller)
Ray, I hope you won't be run off this site and will come back and post up your feelings on the new bike. I'd really be interested in how it suits you.
Cheers
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
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What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
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Lots more comments here!

Every book a diary
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Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
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All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
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New to Horizons Unlimited?
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