So, will we see a F850GT, or has this already been discussed elsewhere?
For sure--w/o at least at a minimum a full range electric screen, hand wind protection, ABS Pro, cruise control, better suspension...what more could it possibly bring to the table for you to improve your total sport touring experience? Kawasaki's latest offering sums it up: all you need to do is hang side cases on a sport bike and voila, it becomes a Sport Tourer. It looks fun but I'm sure I'd still be stuck in that same ergonomic position today if I'd taken that thing x-country and back for 9+K miles!I'd find it hard to believe the new model would make a significant enough improvement to get me t sell a bike I love. Chris
Even w/ it's transverse crankshaft? I can't come up w/ one compelling reason beyond somewhat better reliability in gravel and water exposure for shaft over belt in a transverse crank-shafted design. Intuitively I don't like the bevel gear concept compared to keeping as much as possible rotating in the same plane. Shaft will generally outlast belt at least in the BMW world, but still there is more maintenance w/ shaft over belt plus the potential for rear wheel lock up seems greater in shaft and chain over belt.I would have preferred shaft but belt was fine. Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App
You're thinking cruise control and an LED headlight as new electric features? If they drop the belt in the process, these two electric features will hardly be sufficient to garner real attention. Add some trick electrically adjustable wind management, ABS Pro, and better suspension along w/ those two electric features they might actually distinguish the bike from all the other compromised ST solutions out there, provided the keep the belt which is truly a unique and highly desirable attribute of the line.It may not be a big seller, but with all the electric features, it'll command a lot of attention and I think a lot of sales. Chris