X Challenge review

[Dave Ross]

#1965

I just had the pleasure to do a quick loop on the X Challenge. What a neat bike. Seeing it outside for the first time and being able to walk around it and studying it from all angles I've decided that I really like what the designers at BMW have achieved. It is immediately obvious that this is a high quality motorcycle and that some care has been taken to get the look right as well.Also obvious is the fact that you'll need very long legs to be able to ride it. The bike I rode had been lowered a bit by pushing the forks through the triple-clamps a couple of centimetres. It did make a difference, but it was still a stretch for me to reach the ground. I could get the ball of both feet down, or have one foot on the pegs with the other on flat-footing the ground. The bike sounds good, too. Even though the exhaust pipe is also home to a catalytic converter the engine sound quite rumbly and powerful, I liked it. First gear engaged wit the customary clunk and I was underway. It took me a little while to get used to the unusual indicator arrangement. There is only a single sliding button on the left handle bar and you also use that to cancel the indicator. A novel idea, but like I said I got used to it soon enough. Once I was rolling I had time to think about the seat. It is very firm and rather narrow, it wasn't really uncomfortable, but at the same time I was constantly aware of it. Could be hell on a longer trip, but who knows.Acceleration was brisk and the view from the top quite commanding. As expected the brakes did a good job as well, of course there was a good amount of nose-dive, but nothing too dramatic. Once I had developed a technique I no longer dreaded stopping at traffic lights. The bike felt well balanced and it seemed like you could just sit out the lights phase change without needing to put a foot down. This is a reasonably full on Adventure bike, and I did briefly consider a mini adventure as I passed the domain, but apart from the curb I rode down and the 5 speed bumps I crossed it wasn't meant to be. That's the price you pay when you become a more mature and settled person. Plus of course I didn't want to piss off Henry as I do enjoy being able to test a new bike every now and then.  Although not a commuter, this bike was great around town and lane splitting is a breeze. I would enjoy travelling to and from work on it.To cut a long story short, I liked it. If  you are looking for a capable adventure bike that is light enough to pick up when things go belly up and that is still practical enough for the commute to work you can't go wrong  with the new X-Challenge. Go see Henry and put a smile on his face :-).I almost forgot. Getting back on the R1150GS after the ride felt really wierd. I bit like sitting in an armchair while dragging your behind in the road.

[2bjr]

#7306

A good write-up I must say. 😀 I have not seen one on the roads yet. 😐See you had good time on your hands. 👿

[Anonymous]

#7307

A good write-up I must say. 😀 I have not seen one on the roads yet. 😐See you had good time on your hands. 👿

One has been sold to a Invercargill ride as well the last new HP2 to a Dunedin rider.

[Author]

Posts