Have you noticed that they have all started to do it.....?

[54K+]

You know,
when the crossrunner first came out it was slated as being neither one thing or the other. Now they are all at it.

MV have produced their Turisimo Veloce 800                                    http://www.mvagusta.com/en/motorcycles/turismo-veloce-800/

and BMW their S1000XR                               http://www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/uk/en/index.html?content=http://www.bmw-Motorrad.co.uk/uk/en/bike/adventure/s1000xr/s1000xr_overview.html&notrack=1

Perhaps there is a market for this bike, bigger than the small C.R. community who already knew it? 

Just a tad smug! 

[Gain]

Don't forget the Yamaha tracer.

 

[54K+]

yes, but that doesn't even have off road pretensions         

[wedge]

Neither do the others tbh

[54K+]

Originally Posted by wedge

Neither do the others tbh

Yep a little bit tongue in cheek

[Gain]

The only off roading that my Mrs does is 100 yards down our unadopted road and a car park if we are out and about, just put road tyres on it and all is well.

[54K+]

It's the style message though, it seems that the idea of having a range rover evoque isn't about doing the paris dakar and that that is OK.

The CR was dismissed as not being one thing nor another, but the one thing it is is comfortable & Fun ( OK that's 2 things)
That BMW are making the S1000XR when it already dominates with its R1200GS shows there is room for a different genre.

People complain that Big H has lost its way and is making bikes no one wants. I think they are just ahead of the game.

[reasty]

Well said 54, the mass view is often driven, if not entirely, certainly in part by the journalists. I recall one report when the cr was launched loving it except for the difficulty in adjusting the lever span whilst wearing gloves!
Journo's don't have a role unless they are provocative. Even the name seems to generate vexation in certain quarters.
Certainly ahead of its time in styling but entirely appropriate for it's intended use. I was on the Chunnel last year with my 800ix and it was interesting to note of the 18 bikes on board 15 were Boorman / Mcgregor looky likey's - aluminium panniers and top box writ large. As to how many deserts were going to be crossed was questionable, all the ones I spoke to were headed for a series of Ibis's.

[leathers999]

Couldn't agree more! 

[Chilled]

Hi,

I think dual sport bikes were selling very good for their upright riding position, rather than because their offroad capabilities. Yes, there are v-strom gatherings and raids with offroad sections, and the same for NC's, Varadero, Crossrunner, SuperTenerés, GSs, etc, but it all seems a bit overfetched, like they are trying to use the bikes offroad just because they can go offroad, and not because they wanted to go offroad in the first place.

True adventure riders aren't enough, I think, to justify all the "Adventure" bikes being sold worldwide.

Riders these days like the upright riding position, and don't need 19" and 21" front wheeled bikes to ride on tarmac. Ducati and Honda saw it, and went for it. The NC700 sold as hot bums. I mean, no one goes on an off-road adventure with a Multistrada 1200S, despite it having a beak!!

Now other brands are following the trend.