[navin_v8]

Originally Posted by ebonho

See which bikes do well in the Raid and the Paris Dakar. Not 1200 cc "Adventures" but 450 cc Enduros. And yes, you can very easily tour the world on a 450-650 cc Enduro. You do not need an Adventure for that. One fall, one puncture, in the middle of nowhere, and one realizes the golden virtue of light over big and powerful.

I knew you would bring this up, ask how many of us will ride like those racers. I already made it clear in my earlier post that I am talking about the Adventure Tourers here and not Enduros. I know the difference between the two motorcycle classes. Besides those rally motorcycles are highly tuned and heavily modified for rallies and one cannot compare them with factory stock models. By the way who are people to decide the way I ride a Adventure Tourer. I know my limits and will ride within those limits light or heavy does not really matter. If one was always considering light weight then no one would be riding RE motorcycles and would've chosen others ligher motorcycles over it. But people still do ride them which shows their confidence and familiarity with riding those bikes.

P.S. Mods please merge my posts. Thanks.

[ebonho]

Navin, if you are claiming that riding a 300 kilo bike off road is your personal preference over riding a 150-180 kilo bike off road, then the debate ends there.

I know a guy who has ridden a Kinetic Honda across the Thar to prove a point.

I know of a rider who has done a ATW on an R1 to also prove a point.

I am not into proving a point here. Simply stating accepted biker wisdom. Hope you appreciate the difference.

[navin_v8]

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I know a guy who has ridden a Kinetic Honda across the Thar to prove a point.

I know of a rider who has done a ATW on an R1 to also prove a point.

I am not into proving a point here. Simply stating accepted biker wisdom. Hope you appreciate the difference.

I appreciate the difference hence I am trying to say Adventure Tourers are not Enduro bikes they are both different and have a different purpose. Biker wisdom is not constant and keeps changing with times, some years back bikers used to say XYZ motorcycle can't be good as it has mono shocks but the same bikers came out and appreciated motorcycles having them. One very good example of this is the Kawasaki KLR 650 which closes in at about 200+ Kgs wet weight which is not exactly light as per you but is one of the most extensively used dual purpose motorcycle in the world.

[ani_meher]

Why this Kolaveri? All this for how much weight is perfect for a bike I am sure even bollywood actresses wouldn't get so huffy puffy over weight accusitions, the way some posts above me are going!

Relax guys. Some prefer light weight bikes, some prefer heavy weights. I tend to prefer heavier ones than lighter ones, cause most of my touring is on plain roads and ghaats, where stability in cross winds is important. For someone mainly into off roading, lesser weight will be preferred because of ease of picking up the bike.

So GT series or generally Benelli offerings in India has a good amount of weight, so off roading on them is doubtful. Though I see no reason for doubting them for touring.

Don't defend any bike's weight as if it were your own

[theexperthand]

Originally Posted by ebonho

I personally would be VERY wary before taking this bike off road. Mild or not. You cannot compare this bike to a loaded Bullet. A Bullet is a narrow bare-bones all-metal naked with trail bike genes. And yes, on a related point, you can forget about transporting this bike by train with all that delicious plastic all around.

What is wrong in stating what he personally prefer?

Both (the heavyweights and the lightweights) have their own target audience and have their own followers. Why fight it out for that?

--Anoop

[navin_v8]

Guys all I was trying to say was a motorcycle is not just about weight but many other factors. I am not angry at all, it was just me bringing out my preferences like many others do. Peace. I wont comment on the weight topic on this thread anymore.

Let's come back to the core topic of this thread the Benelli offerings in India.

The true test of DSK Benelli would be the after sales support service in India. During the autoshow here in Bombay while visiting DSK Benelli stand my eyes were stuck on the TNT 600 GT as I am an adventure tourer enthusiast. The motorcycle looked good and held its presence among the other naked and sport variants. DSK Benelli should offer ABS as an option on this very capable motorcycle to make it true VFM and safety.

[ku69rd]

Originally Posted by navin_v8

my eyes were stuck on the TNT 600 GT as I am an adventure tourer enthusiast.

Mate,
Hope you have checked out the Ground Clearance? After seeing it, felt it to be slightly not up to the mark

[man_of_steel]

Originally Posted by ku69rd

Mate,
Hope you have checked out the Ground Clearance? After seeing it, felt it to be slightly not up to the mark

Not to mention a measly front suspension travel of 120mm. Rear is also in the same territory! This would make a darn good tarmac muncher and at max can take on some slight broken Indian roads. I wouldn't really call it an adventure tourer/dual purpose**.

**Strictly personal view.

[apachelongbow]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Going by the same logic, the Ford Endeavour wasn't a bad product. Therefore the same crowd should be lining up for the Foday Explorer a.k.a Force One.

Having driven both, the force one is actually a better product than the Endevour, especially in terms or ride comfort, I think the lotus guys actually retuned the fords bullock cart suspension in the force one. Off topic aside, the reason force one failed, is because of force motors and their lack of being a good automobile company more than anything else, had some other player launched it, the car would have sold fair numbers.
The concern I will agree upon is DSK motors more than anything else.

[Speed Pujari]

I have this question to the experts here. I gave up biking 5 years back and the reason was solely due to incompetency of the bike I owned (avenger).
I was getting a feel that the pulsars/zmas/ etc. are nothing but commuters with some mocking looks. Somehow I never felt connected to the bikes I rode back then. It was easy to overpower them.

I thought I will take up biking only if I could afford a 'Motorbike'.

Is 600GT comfortable enough for long rides with a Pillion? How much will be the thigh heating issue? (this can be deal maker-breaker)

Second, I have heard a lot of after sales issues with Ducati. People have a perception about Italian bikes that issues like after sales are pretty common.

How was people's experience of DSK wrt Hyosung?
Definitely there will be some compromise somewhere to compensate the low pricing.

Having no idea or experience of owning a motorbike (cannot count my previous commuters as motorbike), need expert comment on queries.

[apachelongbow]

Originally Posted by Speed Pujari

I have this question to the experts here. I gave up biking 5 years back and the reason was solely due to incompetency of the bike I owned (avenger).
I was getting a feel that the pulsars/zmas/ etc. are nothing but commuters with some mocking looks. Somehow I never felt connected to the bikes I rode back then. It was easy to overpower them.

I thought I will take up biking only if I could afford a 'Motorbike'.

Is 600GT comfortable enough for long rides with a Pillion? How much will be the thigh heating issue? (this can be deal maker-breaker)

Second, I have heard a lot of after sales issues with Ducati. People have a perception about Italian bikes that issues like after sales are pretty common.

How was people's experience of DSK wrt Hyosung?
Definitely there will be some compromise somewhere to compensate the low pricing.

Having no idea or experience of owning a motorbike (cannot count my previous commuters as motorbike), need expert comment on queries.

I am in the same boat, so I am going ahead next month on a extensive test drive of the GT 600 to see how livable it is for me. What I could gather from the reviews are that heating is not a issue per se because of the way the pipes are routed , almost all reviewers have praised the bike for its handling and ability to cruise long distances , pillion comfort, usability and the tractable nature of the engine. What interests me even more is the smoothness I the inline 4, and the complete lack of vibrations which are so car like, in fact one international review actually called this bike the most car like replacement for a long drive !!!

[djay99]

Navin, I believe doc was just stating his personal preference and not trying to tell you what's good or bad and what to choose. This is what i could make out after reading both of your's post

600 GT is a good package at the price point.

Originally Posted by Speed Pujari

Is 600GT comfortable enough for long rides with a Pillion? How much will be the thigh heating issue? (this can be deal maker-breaker)

By looking at the riding position, i feel 600GT should be comfortable for long rides. Pillion's comfort also depends on what kind of speeds you doing and how fast you try to accelerate.

Take a test ride in city traffic and see heating issues & comfort levels.

Second, I have heard a lot of after sales issues with Ducati. People have a perception about Italian bikes that issues like after sales are pretty common.

Man behind sales/aftersales issue of ducati was Mr AC and he is no more associated with Ducati.

I think ducati aftersales will be better this time.

Definitely there will be some compromise somewhere to compensate the low pricing.

There will be. I would suggest you check out bike and see if you are satisfied with build quality, ride quality, power delivery etc.

[shan_ned]

Guys, correct me if i am seeing something wrong here. While looking at the video reviews of 600i, the indicated redline in the tachometer was at 11000 rpm. Is that correct when the peak power arrives post 11000 rpm ? If i am correct on what i have seen, what does it indicate ? Shouldn't one ride around peak power delivery range ?

[Urban_Nomad]

Originally Posted by navin_v8

Care to explain this tag "faux tourer" which you have badged for the Benelli TNT 600 GT

Hey Navin! Sure, I ll try

Originally Posted by navin_v8

I think this is more of a dual purpose motorycle which will be used for highway rides and will do the job when it comes to mild offroading

How this motorcycle fits the "dual purpose" nomenclature is beyond me. Here's a quick read on dual purpose bikes - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-sport_motorcycle

Originally Posted by navin_v8

I dont find anything being faux on this motorcycle

Disagree! Will elaborate

Originally Posted by navin_v8

It has a proper inline 4 cylinder engine

As does the 600i

Originally Posted by navin_v8

6 speed gearbox for relaxed cruising,

Umm, not really a differentiating feature but Ok

Originally Posted by navin_v8

flat torque curve that makes it run at 30 KMPH on topgear and accelerate from there right to the top speed (amazing torque spread)

Exactly the same tune as the 600i

Originally Posted by navin_v8

comfortable seating position for touring, projector headlamps

True

Originally Posted by navin_v8

and many more

Please elaborate. It does have a bigger tank but cannot think of anything else thats very relevant

Originally Posted by navin_v8

About the wide panniers I have seen RE Motorcycles sporting ladakh carriers and many sucn carriers which protrude outside, so riding with those OEM pannier boxes on the TNT 600 GT wont be a problem AFAIK

Maybe. I have personally not seen many ladakh carriers that jut outside of the handlebar width as much as on the Benelli GT but I could be wrong here. I simply mentioned that it would involve a learning curve if one were to ride with these on. I for one would not want to put these boxes aside and "get accustomed" to them on my 1000 km long trip. The results could be unpleasant. But hey, these are optional extras, one could choose to forgo these. Not a biggie

Originally Posted by navin_v8

about the pirelli tyres how can you talk about them without even experiencing them

I can actually, and with a lot of confidence. Why? The manufacturer says that is is a Road only tyre, thats why.

See? - http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/gb/en/mo.../angel_st.html

They make the effort to mark a tyre as offraod worthy if it really does

See? - http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/gb/en/mo...eet/mt_60.html

Originally Posted by navin_v8

Same thought was floated around when KTM offered Metzelers with people questioning its durability in Indian conditions

Not sure how its relevant here but anyhow, its durability is as many predicted and expected. It does around 10k for most with a 20% +/- variance. This is what most people guessed it would do. Its not a high milegae tyre by any stretch of the imagination. Whats your point?

Originally Posted by navin_v8

I believe the TNT 600 GT is a beginners motorcycle

At least in the Indian context, no 600cc motorcycle is a "beginners bike"

Originally Posted by navin_v8

that can be used for adventure touring as well as for highway cruising.

Not sure what your definition of adventure touring is, but this bike is not the most ideal for it. Adventure touring would almost always involve some level of rough roading and this bike, save for a presumably comfy seat does not have anything different from its "Street oriented" sibling. For it not to be a faux / pretentious / nakli tourer, it should have at least had:

- Better ground clearance
- Longer suspension
- Beefier suspension, to take the additional load of heavy luggage and the rough roads it would be subjected to
- More neutral riding position would be preferred. Rear set pegs like its sibling dont add much towards the dual sport "stand on the pegs" riding. Think GS, VStrom, KLR 650 ......... you get the idea

Simply adding plastic bits to make a bike "look" the part does not float my boat. If your idea of touring is riding perfectly tarred roads then to be honest, any bike with "adequate" power would suffice. You dont need a specialist for that and the cheaper 600i would do just fine as well

Originally Posted by navin_v8

There are people who like dual purpose motorcycles and this one gets my vote.

Cool. To each his own mate but at the risk of repeating myself, its not a DS. I love a true blue DS bike too but this one does nothing for me. Thats all!

[apachelongbow]

I think members are not understanding what a tourer is. A touring bike is one which can take two riders with their say one week luggage in great comfort over long distance, at high speeds across the county. Try equating this to using a suv for long distance cross country. Please donot confuse touring with off-roading or dual purpose on off road biking. Also donot confuse it with the faux cruiser tag associated with the Harley's and their clones. Only cruiser in the Harley range is the fat boy the rest are posers, proven by the fatigue factor and riders taking bum stops every 50 kms.
As per road tests and video reviews the gt600 does 0-100 in some 4/5 seconds? That is tremendously fast regarding the competition