roadrash83

Congratulation's, Wintersdark looking forward to your review.

I don't understand why people would try to turn the FJ or Tracers into a ADV bike. there are just o many bikes out there that are made to do the job and excel at it.  

I had every intention of buying one when I had to sell my 14 S1000rr because of my neck. I test rode a 2017 and a 2018 and I could not take the vibration (nerve damage). So I bought my 900GT and didn't look back.

Welcome to the forum @hardrivnlots of very knowledgeable people here that are more than willing to help you melt your credit card. The bike looks show room enjoy.

If the wife gave you the go ahead to buy the T7 go ahead and get it, that is a no-brainer for sure. Figure in suspension work and crash bars and skid plate.  I thought real hard about buying the T7 before I got the Pan America and I might pick one up down the road, one thing for sure is I don't want the headache of a KTM. Let us know how you like it🙂 

The 900GT or 9GT is a hard bike not to love. Great sport tourer, commuter platform and she really shines on twisty roads. The only thing I won't do with mine is take her off road. I Hope you are able to get your 9GT quickly. 

If you plan on doing a bunch of road and highway riding to get to your dirt roads, I would go with the KLR. Not the fastest or the lightest but will get you through most any terrain and it's hard to kill. I have a 15 it was my dirt road, fire trail ,motor home and winter bike up north. It is extremely reliable and easy to work on, look for a gen2 2015 model year and up till they stopped production for the Gen3. Better suspension and seat than the 14 and earlier bikes. Should be able to find a very nice used one with some addons for around $5000 US. 

3 hours ago, 2and3cylinders said:

Yep but I still may prefer my sport tour modded 98 VTR1000F for pure road work over the PA.  Now a 1250 Bronx - FTR1200S shootout would be interesting.

https://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/ftr1200-s/

And 2-smoke street twins like my 350# RD400 (hence my "handle") are truly a major hoot!!!

 Ok I will lay my cards on the table, I would give up all my bikes for a

2023 fuel Injected Yamaha RD/RZ500 or A RD/RZ750, Nothing like the aroma of 2 stroke smoke. They wouldn't have to be stupid fast🙄  just weight in about 350lb and have a nice hitting 4000rpm power band power band.                                 Also I would need a body about 40 years younger and not filled with metal!!

10 minutes ago, 2and3cylinders said:

You have the PA?!!!

I presume you like if not love it.  I read it's the hottest selling ADV.  It may just save HD. Now if they'd just release their naked version...

I like the newest Indian FTR series too.

 I do love the bike and I also love the 900GT, there is just some thing about V-Twins and Triples. I have to say the fit and finish on the PA is much better than the GT and the suspension is neat. HD did the guy who is looking for performance up grades a solid, the heads and cylinders can come off with the engine in the frame from what I have been told. I'm still waiting for the Bronx with the 1250cc engine in it, I bet they can get that to come in around 450Lbs. 

6 hours ago, 2and3cylinders said:

Like I said, you usually get what you pay for...

Not saying SW Motorway will honor their warranty any better...but it's not for a "lifetime"

But in 3 years my Engage still looks and functions as new.

You are correct, I just went with them because I had a part number for a ring that would work for the XR. They were great bags until the zippers bit the dust and pretty near water proof with in reason. I have the full catalog of SW Motech stuff on my KLR that has held up great and the HD factory accessory stuff for my Pan America is all made by SW Motech so that will be a no brainer.

I bought two oxford Q4 bag quick release at the same time one for the GT and another for my XR1200. The only time the bags were out in the weather was when the bikes were being ridden. both zippers failed with in two years and both discolored pretty bad. I tried to get them replaced under Oxfords life time warranty, I called up Oxfords USA distributor and they  told me to take the bags back to were I bought then from. The only problem with that is I moved over 1000mi away from them, needless to say I have bought my last Oxford products.

That tank ring looks identical to the Oxford ring on my 900GT.

9 hours ago, betoney said:

Lol, and not to rub it in but in 2 weeks I'm going on my 6th road trip* this season... just sayin' 😎

*3 days of twisiy mountain riding that I'm calling the "7-Pass Ride".  I'm staying in Washington state and riding over Stevens, Loup Loup, Wauconda, Disautel, Sherman, Blewett and White Passes.

Let the hate continue... 😎👍

 I have just one question for you betoney, are you married?

 If so you need to clone her you could make a fortune😉

Triumph builds some nice bikes for sure. But one thing that has stopped me from seriously considering them is dealer support. I don't want to have to drive an hour plus to get to a dealer for warranty work or parts.

Nothing like living large😁 Some times you just got to do it because you can👍

I started losing my O-rings around 3000mi and replaced it at around 10000mi. 

4 hours ago, texscottyd said:

If history is any indication, I'm more into baked chicken than chicken strips...

That looks more like toasted carcass 👍 

6 hours ago, OZVFR said:

So it’s an absolutely normal HD

 You have to remember HD is all about tradition!

  I have a little over 2000mi on the PA and I still like her🙂 I did the 1000mi service on her, The oil change kit that HD sells cost $52.00 (bought on line) and came with a filter and 4qts of full synthetic oil and a rubber O-ring drain plug. Not too bad considering the stealer ship wanted $18.99 for the filter alone, which they didn't have in stock and would have to order. As always doing the first service on a bike yourself let's you get to know the bike. 

 The dealer came thru with the wire wheels for it. They just took the wheels and tires of off a new bike that came in and put them on mine, I got 1600mi of free rubber😁 One thing I notice with the spoked wheels is the bike is a little squirrely in high speed turns when pushed hard compared to the cast wheels. I will definitely be looking for a set of cast wheels on E-bay.  

  The only thing I'm having a little bit of a problem with the bike is learning is how to quickly change all of the settings and ride modes the bike has. I have never had a bike with all the different configuration choices that this one has.

@texscottyd How is that Parts Unlimited batter holding up? I'm thinking of replacing my stock 2019 battery and at almost $179.00  a Yuasa is looking kind of pricey?

I think I would rather have a BMWS1000rr or a V4 Panigale to get into that kind of HP. Normally asperated horse power is always cheaper than blown horsepower in the long run. Plus those bike's are set up to handle that kind of HP. Cool none the less.

 How about Elias getting 2nd place in the first race!👍

 I would love to go and see Tonie Elias ride the Attack Yamaha, I'm hoping he can get a ride next year. You know it's going to be another Jake Gagne runaway.

I would say my best answer to you is go out and buy an old KLR and abuse that off road. The Tracer has to many expensive parts that hang to low ( oil pan ). Trying to make the Tracer into a trail bike would kill all the things that make it a great handling road bike.

 Glad to see you escaped from Florida, enjoy the curves while you can.