Which ADV bike?

[nzspokes]

Thinking about an budget ADV. Gravel and some suitable trails.

What say you all? KLR, DR650 etc etc.

[flashg]

XTZ 660 Teneŕe, XTR 660 A good strong reliable injected motor.

[Scubbo]

dr650 or drz400E both bargains -- xt660 is a PoS :no:

[nzspokes]

Stroms not offroady enough?

[Scubbo]

will do gravel fine, just don't tip it over ;)

[nzspokes]

will do gravel fine, just don't tip it over ;)

But not basic trails?

DR650 is moving up the list. What about a KLR?

[Scubbo]

KLR has "slightly" better road cruise comfort (nice seat/wet weather fairing on torso/legs), but I'd still go for a DR650, you can abuse the dr650 and it'll want more, where if you drop the KLR its game over unless you feel like tacking on KGs of tip over bars or let your fairing take a pounding (its already much heavier than the DR) ---- KLR nice to have the big tank by default though suzuki usually sell the dr650 with a big acerbis tank for free/discount when you buy anyway

the DR650's engine is a peach and easy to service, it's a farmbike strength build, just looks like a farmbike/is utilitarian but not a bad thing in my books :innocent:

ergos are a bit different between the 2, but both have many aftermarket options to suit --- if you want to get dirty and not be afraid of the bike tipping over (more fun) then i'd get the DR

if you wanna do single track and not long days on the open roads, a DRZ400E is a great option / has probably the lowest service requirement per power/abillity in the DS segment and you can get new ones for 8K at the moment ! just not that fun on the highway only (but why'd you buy one to do just that? :P) a lot more fun in gravel and single track but long KMs on road gets tiresome pretty quick even with a good seat (bit o vibes in pegs and bars at 100KPH)

[yargh if my wife wasnt 36 weeks prego i'd be buying another drz right now @_@ such a bargain / the possibillites for adventure]

[mulletman]

What about one of these ?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-1403556360.htm

[Scubbo]

What about one of these ?

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/dual-purpose/auction-1403556360.htm

only buy that if you want to spend more time servicing it or paying someone to service it than riding it.... they are a bit of a lemon for the purpose it was built for

[nzspokes]

KLR has "slightly" better road cruise comfort (nice seat/wet weather fairing on torso/legs), but I'd still go for a DR650, you can abuse the dr650 and it'll want more, where if you drop the KLR its game over unless you feel like tacking on KGs of tip over bars or let your fairing take a pounding (its already much heavier than the DR) ---- KLR nice to have the big tank by default though suzuki usually sell the dr650 with a big acerbis tank for free/discount when you buy anyway

the DR650's engine is a peach and easy to service, it's a farmbike strength build, just looks like a farmbike/is utilitarian but not a bad thing in my books :innocent:

ergos are a bit different between the 2, but both have many aftermarket options to suit --- if you want to get dirty and not be afraid of the bike tipping over (more fun) then i'd get the DR

if you wanna do single track and not long days on the open roads, a DRZ400E is a great option / has probably the lowest service requirement per power/abillity in the DS segment and you can get new ones for 8K at the moment ! just not that fun on the highway only (but why'd you buy one to do just that? :P) a lot more fun in gravel and single track but long KMs on road gets tiresome pretty quick even with a good seat (bit o vibes in pegs and bars at 100KPH)

[yargh if my wife wasnt 36 weeks prego i'd be buying another drz right now @_@ such a bargain / the possibillites for adventure]

Thanks for that. Yeah i get the point. I wouldnt buy new.

Road performance is not a big issue but I do have to travel to get places. DR650 is sounding more the go.

Something like this one. https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1409007263

[Night Falcon]

if you want budget you cant go wrong with a DR or KLR but you get what you pay for.

The DR needs more add-ons from the factory than the KLR but is a more manageable off-roader. The KLR is a better road bike so theres the trade off. If you buy 2nd hand look for a DR that has a seat upgrade, bigger tank, luggage carrying, exhaust and carb upgrades. You have to be a little patient....good DR deals are there but there are loads on TM that are way over priced for a 2nd hand bike....considering new cost is 9K.

[400sm]

Thinking about an budget ADV. Gravel and some suitable trails.

What say you all? KLR, DR650 etc etc.

The bike has to fit the person correctly....so in your case...
try a SUZUKI DR200.....

[nzspokes]

if you want budget you cant go wrong with a DR or KLR but you get what you pay for.

The DR needs more add-ons from the factory than the KLR but is a more manageable off-roader. The KLR is a better road bike so theres the trade off. If you buy 2nd hand look for a DR that has a seat upgrade, bigger tank, luggage carrying, exhaust and carb upgrades. You have to be a little patient....good DR deals are there but there are loads on TM that are way over priced for a 2nd hand bike....considering new cost is 9K.

Was starting to get the DR was what I was looking for. Anything under 600 is pointless and its for offroad so fairings etc are irrelevant.

Still in the "do I really want one" head space for an ADV bike. Shame I cant just take my KDX.:laugh:

[Scubbo]

plate the KDX melt the engine getting from place to place :bleh:

if you don't mind slow goings on the road TO the off-road places, get an XTZ125 :headbang: neat little bikes for so cheap new / capable offroad and in gravel at speed

[Scubbo]

https://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/183628-2009-Suzuki-DR650SE?p=1131061427#post1131061427

buy this just run in

[Scubbo]

the DR650 has an adjustable link from factory that can lower the bike by ~1"

[nzspokes]

Really interested in this. trying to find a reason not to buy it. https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1412740905

Just seeing what i can do about it being a bit tall. 960mm seat height.

[flashg]

I like those, I would happily own one, a mate had one and couldn't say a bad thing about it, but his legs are too short. He sold it to put his money into a KTM 640. I'd have kept the BMW and lowered it.

[Laava]

Really interested in this. trying to find a reason not to buy it. https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1412740905

Just seeing what i can do about it being a bit tall. 960mm seat height.

I think if you lowered it significantly to where it was comparable with others, you would have ruined it. You should hire a bike for the week or weekend, (DR XT etc) you might get a good feel for exactly what it is you need?
Also, the BMW might be a difficult bike to onsell, just cos it's not very common...

[nzspokes]

I think if you lowered it significantly to where it was comparable with others, you would have ruined it. You should hire a bike for the week or weekend, (DR XT etc) you might get a good feel for exactly what it is you need?
Also, the BMW might be a difficult bike to onsell, just cos it's not very common...

Spoken to the owner. Poor bugger fell off a bicycle and really messed himself up. He wont be riding ADV anymore by the sounds.

Seat height is 920mm, he checked it on the phone. He is a good bugger.

As long as it passes a tech inspection next week, its heading north.

[Laava]

Spoken to the owner. Poor bugger fell off a bicycle and really messed himself up. He wont be riding ADV anymore by the sounds.

Seat height is 920mm, he checked it on the phone. He is a good bugger.

As long as it passes a tech inspection next week, its heading north.

Jeepers, it was friggen high aat 960!

[nzspokes]

Jeepers, it was friggen high aat 960!

Thats what I thought. But my KDX is 950. I cope with that ok. But being 920 is mint.

[hamjet]

Thats what I thought. But my KDX is 950. I cope with that ok. But being 920 is mint.

I spotted that bike also. Looks nice and only 22000kms. There is a low seat available on Trademe in Wellington? Closes in an hour though?

[nzspokes]

I spotted that bike also. Looks nice and only 22000kms. There is a low seat available on Trademe in Wellington? Closes in an hour though?

Well I liked it, will be here next week. I didnt see that seat and was out. Will keep an eye out for it being relisted if it didnt sell.

[MD]

This is what I am thinking about for my next riding experience, in a couple of years probably if nothing better comes along. LIGHT is what you want and this is. Ticks a lot of boxes for me.

Oh it's actually a 599cc Husqvarna engine so sneaks under the 600+cc rego theft (tick). $12k new. 54 hp (tick)18l tank (tick). Not ugly like all the other ADV bikes (tick)

[Scubbo]

could be good, just hope the parts support is there --- another one to look for is the new AJP PR7 whenever they finish that

[Hads]

KDX is lots of fun on the road, but fuel range does become an issue, cost to put it on the road is approx $1500. Why not go for a KTM 300 exc and sell the KDX?

[merv]

the DR650 has an adjustable link from factory that can lower the bike by ~1"

It is not so much an adjustable link as that the rear shock has a second bolt hole mounting point on the bottom and you can also flip the back spring spacer to ensure the bottom out rubber bump stop works and doesn't let the wheel travel too far inside the rear guard.

You can also change the front forks but most of us haven't bothered with that and just slide the tubes up in the triple clamps which is okay if you aren't too heavy else you should do it the Suzuki specified way.

A shorter silver coloured sidestand is available for the lowered bike.

Lowering is actually a change of seat height of 40mm not just 1". It takes it from nominally 885mm down to 845mm.

[nzspokes]

This is what I am thinking about for my next riding experience, in a couple of years probably if nothing better comes along. LIGHT is what you want and this is. Ticks a lot of boxes for me.

Oh it's actually a 599cc Husqvarna engine so sneaks under the 600+cc rego theft (tick). $12k new. 54 hp (tick)18l tank (tick). Not ugly like all the other ADV bikes (tick)

ADV bike with road tyres and lights that point in different directions? And the pipes go under the sump? :facepalm:

[nzspokes]

KDX is lots of fun on the road, but fuel range does become an issue, cost to put it on the road is approx $1500. Why not go for a KTM 300 exc and sell the KDX?

Because as much as I like my KDX, riding 300ks on the road to get to a trail I want to do would be a little tedious. And holding 100kph with all the gear I need could also be an issue. :crazy:

Thats why this will turn up soon.

[george formby]

ADV bike with road tyres and lights that point in different directions? And the pipes go under the sump? :facepalm:

Harsh. SWM have been playing in the mud a long time and I doubt you will feel like doing zaps on the beemer fully loaded. Engine is a stressed member by the looks, too. No frame underneath. Don't quote me on that.

If your talking about the day lights pointing down, that enables you to see what is immediately in front of you off road while your headlight gives the big picture. In the bush, at night. It's a bike designed for purpose, the beemer was built to get a market share and failed. Admittedly a couple were entered at Erzberg but IIRC they exhausted the brilliant riders and did not finish. It's a 21st century DRZ.

I was intrigued by the BMW when it came out and hope it ticks your boxes. Either ADV or Dual Sport in NZ makes you consider a lot of boxes. Please keep us posted, I'm intending a similar purchase in the next year and fairly confused about what will tick my boxes.

[flashg]

could be good, just hope the parts support is there --- another one to look for is the new AJP PR7 whenever they finish thatIt's available at Dirt Action Services CHCH for around $16,000. Yamaha's outgoing XTZ 66o Tenère was $16,349 and far better build quality IMHO I've had a good look at it.

[Scubbo]

doh thats a shame, still rather one over the Tenere/xtz660 on the engine alone, yamaha failed on that bike....

[george formby]

It's available at Dirt Action Services CHCH for around $16,000. Yamaha's outgoing XTZ 66o Tenère was $16,349 and far better build quality IMHO I've had a good look at it.



:shit:Bloody hell. Whats the T7 going to come in at? Introduced in November hopefully.

[nzspokes]

Harsh. SWM have been playing in the mud a long time and I doubt you will feel like doing zaps on the beemer fully loaded. Engine is a stressed member by the looks, too. No frame underneath. Don't quote me on that.

If your talking about the day lights pointing down, that enables you to see what is immediately in front of you off road while your headlight gives the big picture. In the bush, at night. It's a bike designed for purpose, the beemer was built to get a market share and failed. Admittedly a couple were entered at Erzberg but IIRC they exhausted the brilliant riders and did not finish. It's a 21st century DRZ.

I was intrigued by the BMW when it came out and hope it ticks your boxes. Either ADV or Dual Sport in NZ makes you consider a lot of boxes. Please keep us posted, I'm intending a similar purchase in the next year and fairly confused about what will tick my boxes.

Zaps?

I would have thought the headlight could deal with whats right in front of you.

Not that I know much about Erzberg but I think that was the G450x which is a different bike. And they both finished in the top ten. But Im not planning on entering it. :laugh:

I will see how we go with it and if I like this adv stuff.

[flashg]

:shit:Bloody hell. Whats the T7 going to come in at? Introduced in November hopefully.Theres an 89 TDR 250 on tardme for $8,995, very very nice.
Also the AJP is not equipped to carry a passenger.
I wouldn't be surprised if the T7 is a similar price to the KTM 690. But I think it'll have more to offer, being built as an adventure bike from the start. No need to rush out and buy all those bits to make it suitable for the job. I really wish Yamaha would use a chrome molly chassis on this type of bike to help keep the weight down, but still retain strength.

[flashg]

doh thats a shame, still rather one over the Tenere/xtz660 on the engine alone, yamaha failed on that bike....I owned an XTZ660 Tenère for five years, fantastic engine. I found the bike heavy in slow going challenging adventure riding, and I hated the stepped seat. But apart from that, a fantastic bike.
What makes you think Yamaha failed on that bike ? Did you own one ?
Made from 2008 - 2016 must have been a shocking bike. What were Yamaha thinking continuing to manufacture that during a global recession.
America never got them and that pissed off a few yanks

[MD]

ADV bike with road tyres and lights that point in different directions? And the pipes go under the sump? :facepalm:

Depends on what you are looking for and intended use. I want a bike I can ride on sealed roads for some distance, then find gravel/dirt roads to explore the scenery. Not looking for a 100% off road dirt bike, I'm after a dual purpose bike - hence the name Super Dual describes what I'm looking for. But also a bike that could take on serious mud and dirt if asked once in awhile. That's why I'd never go with a silly 1000+ cc container ship anchor.

The SWM gives buyers the choice between dual purpose road/gravel tyres or more serious knobblies on taller rims. I think it's great that they give the buyer these options.

Lights- how often does anyone go recreational riding at night? I did years of trail riding when a young lad on bikes that barely emitted anything brighter than four candles with front forks weaker than fork handles. (like that?) and pipes went under the sump. Never an issue.

Keen to see one of these SWMs in the flesh.

[flashg]

I tend to agree about the pipes not being an issue when routed underneath. During the time I owned the XTZ 660, I was never tempted to try and go over fallen trees and logs, (something done on my enduro bikes maybe)ground clearance is not really an issue on an adventure bike. The tracks and rivers and gravel roads that I've ridden wouldn't be a problem on something with much lower ground clearance.

[Scubbo]

I rode one twice on 4 hour trips, I found it lumpy at highway speed, heavy/topheavy and lacked punchy power --- the fuel pump also gave out on the bike at 10xK I heard ---- where I'd just go get a half the price brand new DRZ which is the same but lighter and more rugged --- but yeah, I've only ever bought 1 yamaha and it's a farm bike (though ridden a few WR250Rs' etc which are a nice bike but were way to expensive because of "no competition" or whatever in NZ) --- I guess what I really mean is, you don't always get what you pay for, and Yamaha NZ seems to think their bikes are worth a couple extra thou in the same segment because they're awesome but IMO they're not.

[JATZ]

I know a guy with an SWM. He seems quite keen on it. The cold starting put me off getting one myself. It took him aaaages to start it in the morning, it'd always start though. Besides the head gasket blowing 400k north of Alice springs and leaving him stranded I think its been pretty reliable.

[george formby]

Zaps?

I would have thought the headlight could deal with whats right in front of you.

Not that I know much about Erzberg but I think that was the G450x which is a different bike. And they both finished in the top ten. But Im not planning on entering it. :laugh:

I will see how we go with it and if I like this adv stuff.

A technique for getting over obstacles, logs, rocks, vertical steps and the like. :laugh:I was defo jesting.

I've been stuck in Deliverance country a few times after dark and bar mounted or even fairing mounted headlights spend a fair bit of time pointing at the scenery not the trail, it improves your memory. Low spot lights allow you to ride whats at your feet as it were. Obviously I survived my mishaps, as said you can still get along ok, but if you're going deepest darkest bush they would be an asset.

Bang on about Erzberg. My bad.

A $9000 TDR? :drool: They don't make em like that anymore.... Soooo much fun! If I had the money I would have one in the shed.

My take on ADV riding is being able to cover decent distances on just about any kind of road, eventually. Skinny tires and a few inches of suspension are the starting point. ADV bikes just give your imagination more room to play with.
To this day my fav ADV inspiration was a mad bloke on an R1. He didn't even bother with the skinny tires and suspension to ride round the world.

A good mate who changes bikes when they run out of fuel has had an F800GS for about 3 years now. He spends about 70% of his riding time on it regardless of whatever other exotica he has this month.

Enjoy your bike.

[eldog]

I owned an XTZ660 Tenère for five years, fantastic engine. I found the bike heavy in slow going challenging adventure riding, and I hated the stepped seat. But apart from that, a fantastic bike.
What makes you think Yamaha failed on that bike ? Did you own one ?
Made from 2008 - 2016 must have been a shocking bike. What were Yamaha thinking continuing to manufacture that during a global recession.
America never got them and that pissed off a few yanks

Would you suggest a smaller/lighter bike for a beginner? - weight vs power vs height
I am thinking of a dual purpose 80% road 20% gravel - for someone who wants to minimise time down for servicing etc
Reliability over speed.

I have been on a Tenere and the height intimidated me, for starting and stopping, but while in motion :niceone: for a beginner (still a beginner)

[flashg]

Would you suggest a smaller/lighter bike for a beginner? - weight vs power vs height
I am thinking of a dual purpose 80% road 20% gravel - for someone who wants to minimise time down for servicing etc
Reliability over speed.

I have been on a Tenere and the height intimidated me, for starting and stopping, but while in motion :niceone: for a beginner (still a beginner)Look at Yamaha XTR 660, Lower height, better (non stepped) seat, smaller tank though (larger tanks available) oil changes every 6,000 kms. Good second hand ones are very affordable. I often thought thats what I should have bought.
Same engine as the Raptor 660 and most parts from the Raptor 700 fit as well, plus all the race engine parts, cams etc, exhaust and air filter mods make a huge difference if not already done. TP Yamaha can adjust the CPU to richen them from stock if not already done. ( made in Italy and meet Euro spec emissions ) These engines will do huge kms. My XTZ was punchy and could lift the front wheel in 2nd without using the clutch, and it was 209 kg wet. XTR 660 is 181 kg wet from memory, comfy enough to ride all day on long trips.
If thats to heavy look for a used wr250r more trail focussed though.

[pete-blen]

Look at Yamaha XTR 660, Lower height, better (non stepped) seat, smaller tank though (larger tanks available) oil changes every 6,000 kms. Good second hand ones are very affordable. I often thought thats what I should have bought.
Same engine as the Raptor 660 and most parts from the Raptor 700 fit as well, plus all the race engine parts, cams etc, exhaust and air filter mods make a huge difference if not already done. TP Yamaha can adjust the CPU to richen them from stock if not already done. ( made in Italy and meet Euro spec emissions ) These engines will do huge kms. My XTZ was punchy and could lift the front wheel in 2nd without using the clutch, and it was 209 kg wet. XTR 660 is 181 kg wet from memory, comfy enough to ride all day on long trips.
If thats to heavy look for a used wr250r more trail focussed though.


XTRs are crap.....:nya:

[flashg]

XTRs are crap.....:nya:Sez you who owns one and had it for years [emoji23]

[pete-blen]

Sez you who owns one and had it for years [emoji23]

hell yer...must be over 6 years now...



.

[Scubbo]

overpriced, unrefined :innocent:

(may aswell buy a KTm 690 far better than the xt)

[Woodman]

I know a guy with an SWM. He seems quite keen on it. The cold starting put me off getting one myself. It took him aaaages to start it in the morning, it'd always start though. Besides the head gasket blowing 400k north of Alice springs and leaving him stranded I think its been pretty reliable.

That guy sounds like a top bloke. He really does like the bike and has been assured by the dealer that the map that improves the starting will be installed when he gets the bike back. Actually looking at the Superdual x with the 21/18" wheel combo would be a better and cheaper option than his RS with all the farkles he bought for it. They are getting rave reviews overseas.

And happy Birthday old man.:niceone:

[MarkH]

For this year's Cold Kiwi it was rather wet & muddy - my DR650 on 50/50 tyres had no problem with the wet grass & mud. It also had no problem with the gravel road into the Cold Kiwi. The 250km ride from home to the Cold Kiwi and then the 250km ride home again was no issue either.

The DR650 is far from perfect but it is pretty capable on the road and off it. You do need to do something about the seat (re-upholster or replace with 3rd party) for better comfort. The Acerbis 20L tank is just fine for anything I've used my DR650 for. It isn't a fantastically fast bike but it does have great torque and happily does the open road speed limit with more in reserve.

[nzspokes]

Now to find places ride.....

[mulletman]

G650X

A mate had one show up with funky disco lights for a dash/speedo, the owner replaced ecu,loom and a few other bits to no avail,
Mech mate tests plugs,ht leads,coils,batt etc all checked out ok? turns out bike had recent new sparkplugs fitted and were'nt
factory spec resistor ones once replaced speedo/dash all back to normal.
Just some info for you.

[pete-blen]

The XT660R sits between a DR & KLR in its offroad ability.
but on road ability is better than both.. So it dose make
quite a good ADV bike..
replacing the pipes give quite a big weight saving & it's high weight..






.

[Night Falcon]

Now to find places ride.....

so you got the "G"eamer did ya? we need pics :corn:

[nzspokes]

so you got the "G"eamer did ya? we need pics :corn:

300ks today. 150ish gravel. Was fun.

Need to move the screen to stop the dust hitting my right in the eyes.

Only pic I have so far.

[neil.]

is that fuel can on the back plumbed in, or just along for the ride whilst you figure out if you need it?

[nzspokes]

is that fuel can on the back plumbed in, or just along for the ride whilst you figure out if you need it?

Yes its plumbed in. Goes to the tank vent. Seems to work fine. I used it for this ride as I dont know the fuel range yet. Its up to 250ks so far.

[SVboy]

DRZ250, the connoisseurs choice!

[KX500]

No adventure bike can compete with one of these for lightness, power, reliability!

Purpose built to win the baja 1000 by the biggest motorbike manufacturer in the world,
can't go wrong ! https://youtu.be/1grSGNin_qA

[nzspokes]

Couple of years later and its still rocking along.