I was very similar to you in that I test rode it and loved it, really made me smile. Day before I rode the (slightly underwhelming) triumph tiger sport 1050, and a pikes peak Ducati multistrada 1200, actually put a deposit down on the multistrada but then rode a used explorer and had just as much fun but with a bit more practicality... plus the carbon leo vince can had no baffle which sounded great! So I've just withdrawn the deposit on the Ducati and probably gonna go ahead with this explorer if I'm honest. Im only 21, been on the restricted license for 2 years and 2 years on a 125 before that, I was very sceptical about it being too heavy and a bit too relaxed, and wasn't really that bothered about test riding it, but god am I glad I did. I'm 6'2" so the height/weight really didn't bother me. Hope you enjoy it and hope it keeps you happy. Doesn't sound like you're 100% convinced about the bike yet though, just need to keep riding it! Definitely recommend getting out on some decent multi-day trips, even just in the UK, it highlights the good points of adventure/touring bikes like this. You've got fantastic roads around you, especially North Yorkshire but I can't recommend Scotland enough, definitely the east side anyway, anywhere in the Cairngorms is bliss in the dry. West coast was great but very wet for me both times so you just need to catch it at the right time to truly enjoy it. Ride safe
Cheers Scot, only just seen your comment! Did you buy the Explorer? I still have mine and have done a few trips now, including France. It's a really great bike and I can see me keeping it long term, although I always get that 'itch' with bikes of wanting something else... I've test ridden a new Africa Twin which I really loved and I'm soon to try a KTM 1090 Adventure R, so I may end up on something else next year! All the best & ride safe
Thanks for the vid - thoroughly enjoyed it. looking maybe at getting an explorer next year! Whilst watching your clip, I was tracking your progress on the bike using google maps. You mentioned the taxi ways from the old aerodrome, but in actual fact you were driving down the old RUNWAYS!! Thought you might like to know! take care.
flyingspeedtriple Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it. Yes I found out that they were the runways, I've been there a few times on quiet evenings too. It can be quite eerie in the dark silence but a thought provoking place as are the other old airfield sites dotted around Norfolk. All the best & ride safe.
Thanks for the comment Chris. I didn't really intend it as a proper full review but I'll bear it in mind for future vids. Always good to get constructive feedback! 👍
I was very similar to you in that I test rode it and loved it, really made me smile. Day before I rode the (slightly underwhelming) triumph tiger sport 1050, and a pikes peak Ducati multistrada 1200, actually put a deposit down on the multistrada but then rode a used explorer and had just as much fun but with a bit more practicality... plus the carbon leo vince can had no baffle which sounded great!
So I've just withdrawn the deposit on the Ducati and probably gonna go ahead with this explorer if I'm honest.
Im only 21, been on the restricted license for 2 years and 2 years on a 125 before that, I was very sceptical about it being too heavy and a bit too relaxed, and wasn't really that bothered about test riding it, but god am I glad I did. I'm 6'2" so the height/weight really didn't bother me.
Hope you enjoy it and hope it keeps you happy. Doesn't sound like you're 100% convinced about the bike yet though, just need to keep riding it! Definitely recommend getting out on some decent multi-day trips, even just in the UK, it highlights the good points of adventure/touring bikes like this. You've got fantastic roads around you, especially North Yorkshire but I can't recommend Scotland enough, definitely the east side anyway, anywhere in the Cairngorms is bliss in the dry. West coast was great but very wet for me both times so you just need to catch it at the right time to truly enjoy it.
Ride safe
Cheers Scot, only just seen your comment! Did you buy the Explorer? I still have mine and have done a few trips now, including France. It's a really great bike and I can see me keeping it long term, although I always get that 'itch' with bikes of wanting something else... I've test ridden a new Africa Twin which I really loved and I'm soon to try a KTM 1090 Adventure R, so I may end up on something else next year!
All the best & ride safe
BarnsleyBob yes I bought it, it's great fun and suits me perfectly really. Away from home for a while and I can't wait to get back and ride her :P
Thanks for the vid - thoroughly enjoyed it. looking maybe at getting an explorer next year! Whilst watching your clip, I was tracking your progress on the bike using google maps. You mentioned the taxi ways from the old aerodrome, but in actual fact you were driving down the old RUNWAYS!! Thought you might like to know! take care.
flyingspeedtriple Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it. Yes I found out that they were the runways, I've been there a few times on quiet evenings too. It can be quite eerie in the dark silence but a thought provoking place as are the other old airfield sites dotted around Norfolk.
All the best & ride safe.
Great video, thanks for the insight.
how do you spell that company you purchased the engine crash bars from? heard?
HEED. They're a company based in Poland I think, good kit and really competitive pricing wise.
Be a good to maybe talk less about other things ( bikes planes etc) and more on the
machine your doing the review on. Just saying
Thanks for the comment Chris. I didn't really intend it as a proper full review but I'll bear it in mind for future vids. Always good to get constructive feedback! 👍