Cross- Europe-Tourer

[HEN99]

So having just completed my first ( with the good lady) Euro trip, what do I think of the CT as a long distance hack???Well …. as a newby I went prepared :-
Breakdown insurance ----Not needed  ( No surprise there)
Top up oil ………………………Not needed-- ditto-----
Puncture repair kit…………Not needed .. was a little worried as the Bridgestones only had a few mm left -- but still have a few mm left  .. tyre pressures  checked  --- no change from a week ago !!!
waterproofs …………………..Not needed ( i know nothing to do with the bike - but hey )

Only thing I did to the bike was - to lower the Vario screen 25mm or so and fit it up with fuel - every 150 miles

OK really minor niggles-- The standard seat -- ok for 2 hours-then well, you want a break
The side stand - I really get worried about it - you have to park it on a firm- flat surface, loose stone- soil --No way
The fairing -- why no cubby hole/locker???
really ( really ) minor niggle ( well -- It is a tourer !!)  It has no power band ?/ It has no happy cruising speed ??? 80/90/100
I settled at 130/140 kph , but I would look down at the speedo  and sometimes it was going faster -you could not tell from the feel of the bike ( only the wind of course).
So to sum up -- Great bike , will tour with no effort - even fully loaded- but would not recommend NOT going off the hard stuff 2 up 

[Hartley]

 

Pretty much my feelings on the CT as a tourer. Cubby hole would be useful, good point.

It just gets on with the job.

Oh and I can verify the bit about not leaving the hard stuff

[pete fairbairn]

I agree the side stand stability or lack of it worries me even more on DCT model. IT seems too light build for weight and angle it sits at.

[Barbancourt]

This bike is OK for long and short rides. Loaded with luggage or not. The only thing I hate is the "klack klack" from the drive shaft. Sometimes it drives me crazy after having crossed one or another big city!

[Fat Bert]

Add a Givi BigFoot to the side stand and it'll hold the bike even on grass a and loose gravel

[Hartley]

I have a Bigfoot and it does help but I think the main issue is the stand being a bit too short.

[andyrob]

Yup. I miss the 14ltrs of underseat storage of my gsx14.

I do not miss constant chain adjustment and daily lubing with no centrestand.

Or getting absolutely covered in bugs!

Or the constant clutch work in the tight twisties.

CT wins 3-1. 

[Fat Bert]

Originally Posted by andyrob

..... and daily lubing with no centrestand
.....

Exactly what the wife says!