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Wheels24’s resident biking guru DAVE FALL was a judge in the 2013 South African Bike of the Year (Boty) and shared his views with you.
In August 2013, BMW's 1200 GS was crowned the 2013 SA Boty.
Image gallery
According to the organisers: “While it may seem unfair to try to compare a KTM 1190 Adventure with a Triumph Daytona 675R and a Suzuki GW250 Inazuma, each bike was rated on its own merits and against previous versions of that bike and not against any other bike in the competition."
'LOST TO AN OLD MAN'S BIKE'
Wheels24 reader DENNIS VAN ASWEGEN commented: “Sad to see the most exciting bike to hit South African roads in 2013, the KTM 1190 Adventure, lost to an old man’s bike, the BMW1200GS. The GS is as exciting as yesterday's news.”
Wheels24 reader WINDALL BEKKER was quick to challenge that... here's what he had to say:
As an owner of a new GS I need to comment on the letter by Dennis about the KTM not being crowned SA’s Boty. I think all bikes are great from a Suzuki AS 50 to, dare I say it, a Harley Davidson…
This is my second GS, my 2008 model having completed 100 000km without a problem in five years.
My new bike is substantially different to the previous model, for instance it’s a lot more street-focused than off- road. I think most guys don't take their R200 0000 GS off-road, so from a owner's requirements BMW has met its consumers' needs.
DRAWN TO HARD-CORE IMAGE
The reality is most KTM riders are drawn to the 'hard-core’ image but most don't ride their bikes that way so, from a practical perspective, riding a 100km per day, the GS is a no-brainer. It’s very quick and stable especially because you don't feel speed as much as the previous GS. I often get a fright when I notice how fast I’m actually going. Even riding at 200km/h, it's hard to believe you're going that fast.
My neighbour's KTM broke down and he was without parts for months. BMW looks after its riders, which gives me a huge sense of customer satisfaction.
All bikes are awesome but for me and many other guys there is no contest - the GS always wins!
In August 2013, BMW's 1200 GS was crowned the 2013 SA Boty.
Image gallery
According to the organisers: “While it may seem unfair to try to compare a KTM 1190 Adventure with a Triumph Daytona 675R and a Suzuki GW250 Inazuma, each bike was rated on its own merits and against previous versions of that bike and not against any other bike in the competition."
'LOST TO AN OLD MAN'S BIKE'
Wheels24 reader DENNIS VAN ASWEGEN commented: “Sad to see the most exciting bike to hit South African roads in 2013, the KTM 1190 Adventure, lost to an old man’s bike, the BMW1200GS. The GS is as exciting as yesterday's news.”
Wheels24 reader WINDALL BEKKER was quick to challenge that... here's what he had to say:
As an owner of a new GS I need to comment on the letter by Dennis about the KTM not being crowned SA’s Boty. I think all bikes are great from a Suzuki AS 50 to, dare I say it, a Harley Davidson…
This is my second GS, my 2008 model having completed 100 000km without a problem in five years.
My new bike is substantially different to the previous model, for instance it’s a lot more street-focused than off- road. I think most guys don't take their R200 0000 GS off-road, so from a owner's requirements BMW has met its consumers' needs.
DRAWN TO HARD-CORE IMAGE
The reality is most KTM riders are drawn to the 'hard-core’ image but most don't ride their bikes that way so, from a practical perspective, riding a 100km per day, the GS is a no-brainer. It’s very quick and stable especially because you don't feel speed as much as the previous GS. I often get a fright when I notice how fast I’m actually going. Even riding at 200km/h, it's hard to believe you're going that fast.
My neighbour's KTM broke down and he was without parts for months. BMW looks after its riders, which gives me a huge sense of customer satisfaction.
All bikes are awesome but for me and many other guys there is no contest - the GS always wins!