Bikes for adventure touring?

[rok-the-boat]

If I were you I'd keep the XR and fit taller gearing. I have put a bigger front sprocket on my DR500 and it's great on the motorway now. 100km/h is a little under 4500rpm. It's OK slow too, on the road - perfect for the road. Off road, nope. But I ride 98% on normal roads anyway. And even in 5th at 100km/h it will surge off if I open the throttle.

[CRM]

If I were you I'd keep the XR and fit taller gearing. I have put a bigger front sprocket on my DR500 and it's great on the motorway now. 100km/h is a little under 4500rpm. It's OK slow too, on the road - perfect for the road. Off road, nope. But I ride 98% on normal roads anyway. And even in 5th at 100km/h it will surge off if I open the throttle.

When i bought the XR it was geared way up, with smaller than stock rear sprocket and larger front sprocket - the previous owner had used it for commuting between towns apparently. I used it like that for a while - even off road and it was okay - just use a bit of clutch to get away in the tight stuff and let the torque carry it along. I've now put a stock front sprocket on it but kept the smaller rear one and it cruises easily at 110-120 still with plenty of pull for overtaking in top gear so I may leave it at that for the trip or maybe install the smaller front - not sure yet.

I'm still looking at improving the lights - wondering if I go to a halogen 35W if it will be adequate without upgrading the stator. I've been looking at Ballards in Ausy - seem to have some good stuff - anyone dealt with them?

[oldrider]

Hi guys - just tapping into the collective wisdom that is KB...

I'm in a bit of a dilemma as I've got my XR600 on TM because I want to get a bike I can ride longer distances on for my work (like right through NZ). To be sensible I really should get a tourer but the thought of being without an adventure bike is a little too depressing so... what would you pick? I really can't stretch to more than about $5500. And I want a bike that I can put panniers and a screen on for distance but still do the business as a go-anywhere bike (not necessarily at high speed but good fun).

How about an XT660 Tenere?
Aprilia Pegaso 650?
DR 650?
Caviga Canyon 500?
BMW F650?
BMW R100GS 1991?

I haven't ridden any of these (apart from short ride on a DR650) but I'm sure someone out there has Any of these strike you as a) suitable for what I want or b) an incredibly good deal? Thanks

Triumph Tiger 955i 2001 through to 06 all that you require and more, there are some bargains out there too! Good luck!

Edit: PM KB'rs, The Duck 01 or Ruralman, they currently have excellent Tiger 955i's for sale!

[cooneyr]

Triumph Tiger 955i 2001 through to 06 all that you require and more, there are some bargains out there too! Good luck! ...

Bloody hell you never give up do you. Your almost as one eyed as a KTM rider Bit like the author of the article Ducky posted on Ruralmans thread!

[clint640]

I'm still looking at improving the lights - wondering if I go to a halogen 35W if it will be adequate without upgrading the stator. I've been looking at Ballards in Ausy - seem to have some good stuff - anyone dealt with them?

35W Halogen is still bugger all light. How about HID? An HID unit won't draw much & might work out cheaper than a stator upgrade + new headlight.

Clint

[oldrider]

Bloody hell you never give up do you. Your almost as one eyed as a KTM rider Bit like the author of the article Ducky posted on Ruralmans thread!

The problem is there are more of them than there are of us, now that they (Triumph) have stopped making the Tiger 955i's!

The article to which you refer was just to "help" Ruralman decide which bike to sell or keep!

But like he says, he needs the "legroom" much more than the power, economy and quality, so I guess he will just have to keep the KTM!

[CRM]

35W Halogen is still bugger all light. How about HID? An HID unit won't draw much & might work out cheaper than a stator upgrade + new headlight.

Clint

Don't know much about HID - just reading some other forums where they say you get a 1 second delay when switching from high to low - sounds a little dangerous... They also mention the Narva or Hella + 50% or + 80% bulbs as an alternative. I'm wanting to replace the whole light unit with something including a bit of wind deflector.

[clint640]

Don't know much about HID - just reading some other forums where they say you get a 1 second delay when switching from high to low - sounds a little dangerous... They also mention the Narva or Hella + 50% or + 80% bulbs as an alternative. I'm wanting to replace the whole light unit with something including a bit of wind deflector.

There is a delay with HIDs, some hi/lo ones dip by moving a little reflector to get around that. Good idea replacing the whole thing, a bigger reflector will always be more efficient. I'd probably fit something like Nordieboys setup if I was doing more night riding.

Clint

[CRM]

Well the XR600 has run sweet as for 1100km over two days. Yesterday I did 750km from Whangarei to Napier taking a couple of detours - the largest was through the Waikaremoana Road (see pic). Nice !

Today did the road from Napier down through Porangahau . The day was beautiful (did get a bit windy later) and the road was fantastic (great twisty seal - would be amazing on a sportsbike but pretty cool on the XR).

The big tank gave 380km till reserve then 25km more to second reserve (other side) for another 25km. I'm impressed! So I've done 1100km and only filled twice. It certainly gives confidence heading off down some wild roads.

Got lots more pics but limited bandwidth today.

[dino3310]

1100 klms in 2 days on an XR

Hows the Butt

[CRM]

1100 klms in 2 days on an XR

Hows the Butt

I can sit, stand and sleep pretty well... Actually my helmet is giving me more trouble - pressure on the forehead, just a little too tight. It stops me thinking about my butt i guess.

Actually I got a sheepskin and I think that's saving it a bit. A sheep gave it's life for my butt.

Tomorrow going around the ranges (bottom way i think) to Levin - I'll most likely find a good way to make it last all day...

[junkmanjoe]

hi there.are you going over the rimutakas tomorrow mate.. i give a wave if i spot ya..
ride safe mate...

JMJ

[CRM]

hi there.are you going over the rimutakas tomorrow mate.. i give a wave if i spot ya..
ride safe mate...

JMJ

So I'm busy sitting in a queue of traffic on top of the Rimutaka's trying to take pictures of the insane digger guy and this roady person in the orange suit walks up to me and asks if I'm the guy off Kiwi Biker - I'm thinking 'how can he see my t-shirt?' Anyway it turns out to be junkmanjoe - good spotting joe. Wished I'd stopped for a chat.

What an insane place to work... catch up again some time mate.

Also a couple of other photos from when I've wandered off the highway.

I went in to Langlands Honda in Masterton this morning looking for a replacement tyre. They didn't have anything in the right size but big ups to Jason - he organised with Motorad to have a T63 ready to go on when I'm in Wellington tomorrow - fantastic service. Looking forward to that - specially now it's started raining .

[junkmanjoe]

yea mate..i been looking out for you all day long,,, spotted the bike in the traffic and thought thats a xr with a long range tank, heaps of bags, so it must be him.

was great to briefly meet you there...ill be up there for a while mate so if ya going through again let us know..

happy trails there..

JMJ

[NordieBoy]

yea mate..i been looking out for you all day long,,, spotted the bike in the traffic and thought thats a xr with a long range tank, heaps of bags, so it must be him.

was great to briefly meet you there...ill be up there for a while mate so if ya going through again let us know..

happy trails there..

JMJ

You've got a KTM sticker on the digger don'cha?
Orange digger too?