My point is, I've not seen any reports on their (Kabaya) reliability, adjustibility and longevity and want to hear from someone who knows something about it. On this side of the pond, we call it due diligence.
Well since the explorer is only a new model two of your three concerns are to us the buying public unknown. We can only go on the perceived reputation of Kayaba, which are used by a lot of major manufacturers somewhere in their range. As for adjustability surely looking at one / Triumph website will tell you that. Problems concerning reliability can be readily addressed in the Warranty period. Sometimes I think we go ott on the minutia of a bike - the parts and the sum of the parts. Don't remember the last time I was concerned about the suspension / lights / instrument layout of a car I was considering buying.
I gotta laugh a little. My first Triumph was a '73 Tiger. It shook so much the front fender supports broke in the first 100 miles. And I'm not going to get started on the Lucas electrical system. I'm OCD about the bikes i buy so I'll wait for some more replies. I've got a great bike already so there is no big hurry.
I would give it a year as it'll take a while before reports start to come in as mileage builds. Maybe the 2015 model Explorer is your best bet because by then we will have had a year of data on the reliability of the new BMW1200 and you'll be able to compare as well as test ride. With your current stable the wait shouldn't be too painful
You kidding, right? Kayaba is one of most known names in dirtbikes suspension and one of (if not) largest suspension components manufacturers in the world with plants all over the globe including Indonesia. Like say WR and YZ, TTRs, R1s Yamahas? DRZs Suzuki? GSXRs? Kawasaki KX? Factory kits for pro racers on dirt and SB? CRF450?
I believe the front forks on the Tenere too. What weight oil are you guys using? The owners manual says 40 or 50 weight? 10w-40 seems most common around here as far as availability.
Yep, we're gonna need another sub-forum here, I'm hanging out on Tiger-Explorer forum more than here for Explorer discussion, but ADVRIDER is my number one forum for Adventure stuff Facebook Nova Scotia on Explorer