Give me another 18 years and the tests should be conclusive.
My latest test was the 'Off Centre Rally' at Wanaaring, in northern New South Wales, Australia.
5 days, including one and a half days talking/drinking/smokin' shit with the other rally riders. 2,200 kilometres including about 600 kilometres of dirt.
Basically, the RS is a kick ass machine that is afraid of only the worst terrain, although it suffers from slippery mud a little more than a nobbie equipped GS.
Give the 'loaded for touring' RS mostly dry tractable conditions and there is no stopping it.
I don't need a GS.
The deepest water crossing would have been near 2 feet deep and about 25 feet wide... Not even a splutter.
My brother Ken was in front of me and had already made it through the crossing when I got there. He motioned to me which side of the crossing he went through so I took his advice. I didn't know how deep the water was at this stage and was 'freaked out' when I found out. 1st gear and a steady pace with no surprises on the bottom made for an easy crossing. I think the fairing assisted in parting the water.
I was disappointed to find out later that Ken didn't have his helmet camera on!! #$%^&* He thought it was on
I reckon about 350 bikes attended the rally from all parts of OZ. BMW's ruled the show, and airheads made a very strong appearance. Heaps of R100 GS's. There were only two R100RS's (nyuk nyuk nyuk) and one DO R90S !!
Heaps of 'orange people' on KTM's and heaps of other dual purpose makes.
I have finally given a name to the state of mind that I've often found myself in when riding in this sort of dirt/sand country.....Motopia.
Motopia allows me to hammer along potentially treacherous roads, constantly scanning for danger, yet in a relaxed state.
Leaping a fully loaded RS over mounded cattle grids is quite something else!
My RS performed perfectly on this trip (and the last, 3,500 K) It appears all the mechanical dramas of the last few years are behind me.
However Kens RS did manage to fall off the centre stand twice, and he had a puncture the morning of the last days ride.
I couldn't help but think while riding home along the windy, long straight bitumen sections on the last day, how the RS had conquered the dirt and was now giving me excellent protection from the blustering cold crosswinds.
More pics to come.........
Don't even think about it! I patented it !! It's called a 'fried stand'
