Who said you cannot tour on a naked bike. I have just returned from a 6 day trip around Scotland on my 1200XE. Rode through all weathers without any fuss. The XE pulled like a train and handled the twisties with ease...... and believe me we were not hanging around. 1700 miles later and the bike delivered in every sense. Well done Triumph , you have created a wonderful bike , full of character. I will be looking for a change of tyre soon......road bias.......any suggestions? The Husky in the photo put up a good show too !
Looks like you had an amazing trip - and great to hear that the XE looked after you I'm hoping that someone will say that the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR is a good on/off road tyre (STR means Street...right?). I have a thing about tyre tread aesthetics and these look great to me...hopefully without compromising tarmac performance. https://www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-ww/motorcycle/all-tyres/sheet/scorpion-rally-str
I'll bet it was an amazing trip, @Bug! Do you have stories and more photos you're willing to share with us??
Bug I don't think anyone questioned touring on a naked bike. I just did Glencoe and Sky on my bonnie close to 2000 miles perfect. Only thing i won't do again is that pass of the cattle on a bonnie in the rain. Scared the living daylights out of me. And of course the midges. Little beggars. Regards Joe.
Been looking ànd talking with other riders for months on what they are using etc. Looks like I will fit a Metzeler Karoo Street rear when the Tourance wears out. Already fitted a GT823 front as I do a lot of dirt roads etc.
I used to throw a Husqvarna SM510R around Scotland with a 5l jerry-can strapped to the back, was so much fun!
Not bad on the MPG either. My mate was still getting around 130 to the tank and that was after frequently ragging it through some demanding sets of bends.
Metzeler Karoo Street Tires https://g.co/kgs/9HUNV5 Some decent reviews of more than one line unlike some reviews. https://g.co/kgs/D6t8n7 I will only fit the rear to my bike.
Looked at the Conti Trail Attack 3. They seem to be the best choice for me if I was to tackle the Scottish twisties again as I do all A and B road fast riding, no off reading. Thanks for the recommendation Shaun64
The only problem we had was with the Huskey shredding the centre of the rear tyre and it spraying a fine mist of oil from an unknown place near the top of the engine. The 1200XE performed flawlessly. It had so much traction and grunt on the B roads that I forgot I had the sports option ! You could do most of your riding in 3rd and 4th gear. What an engine
Glad to read how pleased you are with your 1200XE, Bug! But I don't know that I'd use the world "only" to report the Huskey's issues: The only problem we had was with the Huskey shredding the centre of the rear tyre and it spraying a fine mist of oil from an unknown place near the top of the engine. Those seem like fairly concerning problems to me. Especially if riding in back of that bike! Out of curiosity, was the source of that fine oil mist ever determined??
To be honest , the Huskey owner thought he could make a rear with 6000 miles on it last the trip ......not a chance! The mist was so fine that the hot engine casing was taking care of any residue. We only found out on the 4th day when he checked the oil level. I followed him for a day , no spots on me or bike
To answer Sandi T , the mist seams to be from the breather pipe and settling on the engine casing , then burning off. Owner says it was down to him ‘ thrashing the nuts ‘ off the bike
Great to hear, thanks for sharing - just started my journey in the 1200 XE and have so many UK ideas as well as a trip to the Pyrenees with the lads next year (Covid permitting). Otherwise this country has so much amazing scenery to offer if we can dodge the rain ;-)
