nice write-up on the new G450X

[anotheroldrider]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/bmw/2009-bmw-g450x-review-82228.html contains a nice write-up from the Euro press intro of the G450X. I still wish it had a 6-speed - one of the few complaints was it needed lower overall gearing for the really tight stuff, and that would in turn limit top speed, but I can't wait to ride one and compare it to my SX based KTM (525SX with EXC 6-speed and rotor/stator).

[JonyRR]

I can't wait for you to try one; that'll be a nice, independent, competent comparo.
I suspect the KTM will stomp it but innovation IS good.
EFI is good.
5 speed is bad
no downtube and exposed radiator is bad
concentric C/S sprocket is good
and motorcycle.com is wrong as Bimota has used that setup for forever

anyone remember the 'A-Trak device' that turned into ATK?
bonus points:
Who is Horst Leitner?

[shreddr]

Originally Posted by JonyRR

anyone remember the 'A-Trak device' that turned into ATK?
bonus points:
Who is Horst Leitner?

The A-trak was a rotax powered mx bike that eliminated chain induced suspension loading by having continuous chain tension above and below the swingarm, kind of wierd set-up. Horst lietner designed the ATK and the Horst link which was the setup that reduced rear brake induced suspension loading, ala floating rear brakes. his design went into a number of mountain bikes, the most notably the AMP, which i once owned, raced, broke multiple times, and then had to debate with Horst the limits of his design. he should have been named Horsts A$$, because he was one.

[shreddr]

check out the sweet chainline in relation to the countershaft sprocket

[YellowRacer]

[QUOTE=anotheroldrider;4013007]one of the few complaints was it needed lower overall gearing for the really tight stuffQUOTE]

Umm, it has chain, and sprockets... You can make it have lower overall gearing...

[squall_line]

You took that phrase out of context.

In context, the gearing needs to be lower overall for the twisties, but since it's only a 5-speed, that would limit its top speed. Having a 6-speed would help ameliorate that problem considerably.

[roger albert]

Ummmm, if you read the whole thing, it would then end up too rev'd on top.

Always good to read the whole thing and understand it before being critical of an author or poster who actually does understand what they're writing.

[anotheroldrider]

Roger and Squall Line pointed out the implicaton of my comment about needing lower gearing, but until we get to ride ours who knows if it's significant.

A major reason I switched from 300 two-stroke KTMs to the new range of four strokes was for more transmission choices. The area I ride most often (west edge of the Ozarks) has miles of single track rock gardens leading into abandoned narrow-gauge rail bed and two-track where size matters. With the EXC wide ratio 6-speed my SX will touch 109 (on pavement) on my Garmin and still slug through creek crossings directly onto a monster hill.

In a previous discussion, I mentioned painful experience on an old Yam roadracer with a (smallish) crank-mounted clutch - the editor of the review mentions the same concern. Roger pointed out the lack of problems on bigger bikes, and both design and materials have come a long way since then. Hopefully that will stave off problems with the 450's clutch. I don't seem to beat my clutches up that much, anyway.

I was also glad to see the editor mention the engine in the enduro version is actually a 499cc and was somewhat amused to read about the "plug this wire in for more power" dealio on the US versions - you don't think that'll be a hot aftermarket piece on the Euro versions do ya'?

All I know is I've deliberately not bought a new off-roader yet - I'm sitting on the edge of my seat, though.