Trans Alp / GS800 / Wee Strom comparison test? [Archive]

View Full Version : Trans Alp / GS800 / Wee Strom comparison test?

young1

24th February 2010, 19:34

Following on from my earlier post re the new Honda Transalp does anyone know if there is a site on the web where there is a comparison test between some or all of the Suzuki / Honda or BMW. If so what is the site?

dino3310

24th February 2010, 19:47

i normally go to http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/ and open up a couple of Tabs and flick between them to compare...
or theres this site http://www.bikez.com/

Phreaky Phil

24th February 2010, 21:06

I think i might have a mag with a test on those 3. Have to have a look

Aslan

24th February 2010, 21:07

hi Mike - don't muck about with lots of analysis - just treat her to the F800GS - she'll love you for it. But - no seriously they're all good and my sense is that the WeeStrom offers best bang for buck. Wouldn't Leanne be happier on a nicely set up DR650 though - suitably lowered of course or perhaps an Orange 690 :) Cheers S

junkmanjoe

24th February 2010, 21:09

if the bikes for your partner, i would look at the V strom.... tidy good looking and more than capable to ride the gravel..
after i watched that one go up the big river track in reefton.....amazing...

JMJ

warewolf

24th February 2010, 21:15

i normally go to http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/ and open up a couple of Tabs and flick between them to compare...
or theres this site http://www.bikez.com/Be aware those sites (and their ilk) can be highly inaccurate. Fan sites are usually much better, or the manufacturers' sites for current model bikes.

Phreaky Phil

24th February 2010, 21:20

Found it. Trailbike Adventure. An the winner is ..............

junkmanjoe

24th February 2010, 21:27

Found it. Trailbike Adventure. An the winner is ..............

KTM 950 Adventure.......................................:e ek: :D

JMJ

Crisis management

25th February 2010, 06:27

These are all fat bastard bikes Mike....Stephen O's suggestion is worth considering, unless you are just doing road miles that is.

Phreaky Phil

25th February 2010, 06:31

YEAH RIGHT. You been drinkn to many Tui's. :2guns:
KTM 950 Adventure.......................................:e ek: :D

JMJ

young1

25th February 2010, 08:09

Thank you everyone for your replies, Phil if I can have a look at that magazine sometime please?

We are looking at options at the moment, we would both like her to have her own bike. We saw the Transalp in the local dealer last weekend and it is not something we had considered before (especially when he offered to lend us a smaller bike for her to get her skills up on as part of a package.....)

For now I think it will be a small bike for her that she can play around on. Then we will look at a proper adv bike (but if there is a good deal in the meantime .......).

Michael

dino3310

25th February 2010, 14:30

GSers

25th February 2010, 15:36

I think you will find that the F800GS is a very tall bike and has a very peaky engine a better option may be the detuned 800 called F650 which is still a twin cylinder and 800cc, it has a much more user friendly / torquer engine and a lowering kit is an option. 2 came on the trip through Black Forest Station at Xmas one with a lady rider and had no problems.
rergards GSers

Phreaky Phil

25th February 2010, 16:45

Hi Mike, you are welcome to come and take it out of the " library "
I think the Transalp looks the best. The beemer looks more "purposeful" and the Vstrom looks like a Toyota Camry, good car but dull.

tri boy

25th February 2010, 19:13

Lil ol Dr 250/350 to knock the skills into place. Then start looking for something bigger and better. The lil bike will resell easily if cared for. MHO

Ps.
Alloy panniers are gay.:sunny:

.:innocent:

young1

25th February 2010, 19:26

Thanks Phil I will take up your offer.

Triboy, Alloy panniers keep the rum bottle intact, I don't seem to remember you calling them gay then...

We would obviously be silly buying Leanne a big bike straight away, a small bike is the way to go for her to get her skills up. A big bike will only intimidate her (streuth the 990 still intimidates me!)

So this post is really a post for bikes for the future. Now we have to find her a bike that she can ride comfortably, maybe a 250 with a 21 inch front wheel so she pick up the gravel riding skills, then when the time is right move onwards and upwards!

Re the 800GS, I had a very quick ride on one at Xmas time and thought it was a very nice bike, of course not as nice as the 990! GSers unfort the F650 I think looks ugly! We both sat on Henry Plowrights 800GS last year in Auckland, he had the low seat on but I can't remember if Leanne could reach the ground or if Henry had lowered more than just the seat.

Crisis management

26th February 2010, 08:11

I think Henry was on that bike on the far north ride last december and it was certainly very capable, went everywhere I did although it did look heavier he was always there at the end. If you have the $s I would have thought it was a good bike to own, the motors great and it has the comfort of the GS series. Depends a lot on how Leanne adapts to gravel and semi off road riding, most of that is having confidence in yourself...... lots of trail riding in the next year?