OUR BIKES
good tyre on the black top ... for an ADV tyre . Though I don ’ t really like the loose feeling from the front on the gravel . I swapped the Pirellis out for a set of Mitas E07 + tyres shortly before the Triumph Tiger Adventure Ride . These give way more grip off road , but I found a little less confidence on the seal . After getting a puncture in the rear Mitas , I went back to the Pirelli on the back , and kept the Mitas on the front , which , for the occasional gravel and more tarmac riding during the winter months , has given a great feeling from the bike .
MY MODIFICATIONS The list of modifications I ’ ve made over the last nine months are as follows ( all prices are approximate );
• Outback Motortek crash bars and skid plate - $ 1200
• Scottoiler X-System 2.0 - $ 400
• Quadlock phone mount - $ 60
• Ventura Evo rack - $ 300
• Kriega OS-Base and 2x 12L panniers - $ 550
• Mitas E07 + Tyres - $ 500 That ’ s a total of $ 2910 , plus the cost of the bike at circa $ 17k . So , I was away adventure riding for
less than NZD $ 20,000 ( but please don ’ t let my wife see this ...). For a bike with these minor modifications to be able to do everything I want it to do , I think that ’ s pretty amazing value . We ’ re talking about building my almost perfect all rounder for under $ 20k - bike included .
THE GOOD , THE BAD AND THE UGLY This is a nine month review , so there must be something I ’ m not happy with , right ? By now I should have ridden the bike and found at least a couple of things I ’ m not stoked about ... so , let ’ s start with the good . Riders the world over have waxed lyrical about how the CP2 engine is snappy , responsive , great for overtaking on the open road , has brilliant low down torque , and is able to hold its own when compared to other bikes in the class . It is . Simply put , its a fun engine . The ergonomics of the Tenere 700 are brilliant for me . I ’ m 5 ’ 10 ” ( 1.78m ) and at a standstill I find the seat slightly too high for me ( the main reason I installed crash bars ). Once under way it ’ s outstanding . The bike is balanced , nimble and makes me look like a better rider than I actually am .
100 KIWI RIDER