From super sports tourer to adventure [Archive]

Motu

4th May 2006, 22:48

Depends on what you want out of a bike....and only you can answer that.I've never owned a super anything,but have ridden plenty - I've never been into the speed thing,to me bikes are for going around corners,and you don't really need lots of speed or horsepower for that.I've spent my life on bikes on and off road,varying amounts of each.....sometimes only road,sometimes only dirt,sometimes both.I've found I'm really comfortable with a dirt bike set up,I feel more in control on a bike sitting upright with only a little weight on wide bars,I like my feet under me and to be able to move around.I prefer my roads quiet,challenging and remote - adventure bike it is.

miSTa

5th May 2006, 19:24

You'll miss warp factor 9.

Mind you, pushing quarter of a ton around gets tiresome sometimes, like up the twisties with the boys on the thou's. Yep, I've been dreaming about shedding 50/60 kilo's myself.

Well yes, maybe, well on reflection - absofuckenlutely, and you're right the weight is tiresome. But only 50 or 60 kg? What I'm thinking of is a huge 85kg lighter and also a 100hp less :gob:

Depends on what you want out of a bike....and only you can answer that.I've never owned a super anything,but have ridden plenty - I've never been into the speed thing,to me bikes are for going around corners,and you don't really need lots of speed or horsepower for that.I've spent my life on bikes on and off road,varying amounts of each.....sometimes only road,sometimes only dirt,sometimes both.I've found I'm really comfortable with a dirt bike set up,I feel more in control on a bike sitting upright with only a little weight on wide bars,I like my feet under me and to be able to move around.I prefer my roads quiet,challenging and remote - adventure bike it is.

You're right - only I can decide.

I think what it is, is that I'm getting tired, and no longer enjoying the type of riding that I do - I need a change. There is a desire to explore side roads, beaches, rivers, tracks, having a bike that is happy being a commuter; which is where the adventure bike comes in. After all it is all things, abeit a master of none, but i can live with that. The idea of getting off the beaten path sounds good. Trips like Molesworth Station, exploring the single roads and bays of Banks Peninsula, Danseys Pass, etc sound great.

Jantar

5th May 2006, 19:29

I will soon be changing from sports/tourer to adventure bike.

No change in HP, no change in weight, but a V-twin instead of in-line four, and a more upright seating position for the dirt roads.

Motu

5th May 2006, 20:22

. After all it is all things, abeit a master of none, but i can live with that. The idea of getting off the beaten path sounds good.

I think that's it,they are a huge compromise - but if you are mature enough to accept ''not too good at this'' as a challenge,then you'll really enjoy one.You can't really do high speed cornering(depends on bike and tyres) but you can do low speed cornering really well,better than a sports/tourer,and a shit load more fun....those things on the road that you avoided,now become things to aim at.Finding out just where you want to compromise is the difficult part - I have 2,and would like 3.One dirt bike with lights...one bigger (600 single) for easy trails and gravel roads...and one bigger one for touring that will get you away from the tourist trail.

Use us as a sounding board...take no recomendations,but use others experiance.

oldrider

5th May 2006, 20:52

I have gone from consecutive Honda ST1100's to a Honda 650T/A and while it feels good to ride and does most of what I want to do I still have moments of feeling "less than".
I have been drooling over a new Honda ST1300 lately and when I added up my pennies I found I could buy one but it would mean loosing too much on my T/A as well as the return on the current investment on my money.
I have too much respect for my T/A to toss it aside so I have waived the new ST1300 bye bye for now at least.
Mrs O/R is very pleased. She loves the T/A even goes to sleep on the back sometimes. She even likes venture riding around all the little back roads that we haven't been on before.
We had a great ride around the Catlins area a wee while ago.
Had a look up all the little roads and blatted along on the sealed stuff at quite a nice clip (100km of course)
It is a big change but its worth it especially with todays conditions.(IMHO) Cheers John.

sedge

5th May 2006, 21:14

oldrider

5th May 2006, 22:07

That's not an adventure...

For some reason I was picturing a set of knobbly tyres and extended forks on the ZX11... Now that's and adventure... Heh heh

I read a story in Aussie perf bike about a guy who 'adventured' and old GSXR 1100 and rode to the Nth most point of Aus... It kicked arse !

Hmmm... Maybe my warthog ZXR could be motarded, it's already half way there... Ah, I can just hear the Mrs now... "What ? You want to make it MORE ugly ?"

Sedge.

Been there done that, that's "off road", too old for that now but "venture" is a style of bike, you do what you like with it.
I just do little ventures on my little bike according to my little budget. Cheers John.

XTC

5th May 2006, 22:19

I went from a VFR750 to the XT600. Sometimes I want more.... But on the backroads and gravel roads it is the bees knees. I also had tired of the high speed main road riding where you are continually watching your mirrors and scanning for cops.... There are a lot of cool place to see on a venture bike. You can only do the coro loop so many times on a sportsbike before it loses it's appeal. The best thing would be to keep your ZZR and get an adventure bike if you can justify it. Lots of cheap XT's DR's KLR's etc out there. In hindsight for a do it all venture bike that's not going to be used for trailriding I'd look for a KLR650. mainly for the 23 litre tank as standard. There's alot of distance between gas stations in the back blocks.
Andy.

miSTa

7th May 2006, 07:25

Thanks for the comments. :cool:

...I also had tired of the high speed main road riding where you are continually watching your mirrors and scanning for cops.... There are a lot of cool place to see on a venture bike. You can only do the coro loop so many times on a sportsbike before it loses it's appeal.

Exactly.

The best thing would be to keep your ZZR and get an adventure bike if you can justify it. Lots of cheap XT's DR's KLR's etc out there. In hindsight for a do it all venture bike that's not going to be used for trailriding I'd look for a KLR650. mainly for the 23 litre tank as standard. There's alot of distance between gas stations in the back blocks.
Andy.

Keeping the ZZR is not an option - need to sell to buy another plus I don't really think I would use it. As it is now I haven't ridden the ZZR since Easter.

Funny you should mention the KLR as that's exactly what I was thinking of! When and looked at a brand new one yesterday, looks like the bees knees. Actually it was quite funny yesterday the wife went over to a new ZX10R and wow, this nice why don't you get this one? (This from a women who thinks all bikes look exactly the same) I said no I mean this one (points to KLR), yuck, she says, you want a tractor? Yes indeed.

XTC

7th May 2006, 07:30

Pfft women..... Can't please them can ya?. So are you getting the KLR?

miSTa

7th May 2006, 07:39

The KLR is tempting, very tempting. A couple of bikes to sell first, well actually just the ZZR (soon but not just yet) but both will be going.

Wolf

15th May 2006, 16:23

Having ridden a number of different configurations of bike and given them all a good chance to demonstrate their strengths and weaknesses, I have to go with the adventure bike as first choice. I prefer the upright riding posture and wider handlebars. I find them more manoeuvrable than most bikes I've ridden. I've never been into travelling and cornering at warp speed so the fact that they're slower than the Sprot Boiks doesn't bother me.

I've tried sport bikes and I don't like the riding posture (and I don't ride fast enough to get the full benefits out of the design); I've tried the old style Tourers - naked bike, bench seat, upright or slightly forward posture, feet below me - and they're good, I'd have one of those strictly for open road long distance rides (BMW R100CS would be nice); I've tried Cruisers and I found that sitting back on my tail bone with my legs out in front of me is OK for a short distance but is a literal pain in the arse on longer rides and being so low is a hinderance when riding in traffic.

For me, a road/trail bike is ideal for my preferred posture and style of riding, I'd take it over a super sports tourer any day.

But we're all different, I know people who view anything other than a sports bike as "yeah, fine, so long as you don't mind being a wind sock", while to me their bikes are "bloody tank-huggers".

I don't mind being a "wind sock" - anyone who cannot cope with an upright posture at 100km/h is a pussy. Personally I've been faster than that (and been ticketted for it) on an upright bike without undue discomfort. I do not have the need to travel at 160km/h, I certainly have no need to corner at that speed.

My wish list:

Small, light road-legal Enduro with 50/50 tyres for commuting to and from work and taking out on easy to medium trails.

Something like the BMW F650GS Dakar with luggage carrying capability for longer tours on less than perfect roads (but nowhere near as rugged as what I'd take the lighter, more nimble off-roader over). Around 192kg without optional extras.

far queue

20th May 2006, 11:29

I went from a GSX750F to a DR650. I had the GSX for 5 years and it was great for the 1st couple - I loved the speed and the handling, and it took me to rallies all over the South Island, but then 2 things happened. The cops started getting tougher on speed, which took a lot of the fun out of it and I'd covered all the roads and was getting bored with it. In the end the bike came out of the garage less and less, and I was doing less and less k's per year, so the plan was to trade it on a big dirt bike that could take me to the back country that I hadn't seen before, and still take me to the rallies.

Adventure bikes are a compromise between dirt and road, you need to decide how much of each you are likely to ride on. The DR650 was/is the right mix for me. I won't keep up with a road bike, ridden well, on the road and I wont keep up with a dirt bike, ridden well, off road but I can do both reasonably well.

On the GSX I used to cruise at 140k and regularly hop up to 160-180 for a bit. On the DR I sit at around 110k on the road and it's great. It's comfortable, I don't care about the cops, and there's plenty of time to look around at the scenery. The top speed is 160k so it's no bother passing the cages when you want to. Going to rallies used to a big race on the Saturday, now it's either take our time via the back roads on the Saturday or more often go straight there after work on Friday and then go out exploring the local back country all day Saturday. Plus it's used as an occasional commuter, and a weekend plaything, whether that be a day long adventure ride somewhere or a quick blat down to the local riverbed (the Waimak) for a play. I've seen a lot more of the country in the 3 years since I've had it too. Also, maintenance is cheaper and easier to do.

As for the KLR, I thorouhly recommend it if it provides the mix that you're looking for. My mate that does most of these rides with me has one, and I've seen it in some pretty grotty places without too much bother, plus that big 23 litre tank is real bonus compared to my 13 litre.

Wolf

20th May 2006, 23:21

Adventure bikes are a compromise between dirt and road, you need to decide how much of each you are likely to ride on. The DR650 was/is the right mix for me.
A well made point. Different Adventure bikes have different mixes of road/off-road capability. What is "the right bike" for one is, as always, not necessarily so for another. What is "poor off-road performance" to one person may be "better road handling" to another. Or it may be a definition of "poor" based on entirely different criteria - rocky terrain vs packed-earth forest trails.

Then you need to select the tyres that're going to suit your riding style.

I won't keep up with a road bike, ridden well, on the road and I wont keep up with a dirt bike, ridden well, off road but I can do both reasonably well.
No matter, you're still going to waste all the crap riders and all the cages...

Motu

20th May 2006, 23:36

It was the same but different for me - coming back to Auckland after 10 years trapped on Waiheke Island I started to explore the roads I used to know,and found them sealed! The XLV750 was a great sealed backroad bike,and I had a lot of fun pushing it hard on the Kaiawa loop,Coro loop,SH16 and SH22,these had been mostly gravel roads in the '70's and early '80's.But I found the gravel roads again with more exploring,and the XLV750 was just too big to have fun on - after I got the XT400 for tougher duties,the XLV750 just sat until I felt guilty after a couple of months.Then I had to charge the battery,drain the carbs and use ether to start,maybe rego and WoF before I could go for a ride.Now I have gone even more off road biased with the DT230 - it has the same power/weight ratio as the XLV750,so there is no performance loss,in fact a big gain below 100kph....and over that? Well I would miss my licence far more than I do going fast a for a few kms.

miSTa

21st May 2006, 08:59

Great info thanks people :niceone:

The more I think about going for an adventure bike, the more I think it's the right thing to do.

Just need to sell the 1100 (in a few weeks) and then the fun can start - selecting the right bike. It'll either be a:
- KLR650
- DR650
- XT600

Shame that Yamaha won't be bringing in the XT660R (according to the one dealer I spoke to). That would be worth a serious look.

rasty

21st May 2006, 11:38

Multistrada - best of both worlds.:rockon:

Wolf

21st May 2006, 12:07

Shame that Yamaha won't be bringing in the XT660R (according to the one dealer I spoke to). That would be worth a serious look.
The Yamaha XTs are great bikes. Of course, it depends on what ratio of road and trail you want.

Whichever you choose, read all the ride reports you can (plenty on-line) and get the opinions of the testers. If they're halfway decent reports they should say what it is they didn't like about the bike and you can determine whether or not you're going to be trying what they were.

I saw an on-road, off-road continuum of bikes on-line and I would have shamelessly copied it and put it here but I can't find it again. It tells you whether the particular model is weighted for on or off road.

Adventure bikes are for those to whom the journey is more important than the destination. Sports Tourers are great for getting from A to B at speed, Adventure bikes are great for getting to B through scenic locations C to Z at a pace where you can actually see the scenery.

If you're going to be aiming for adventure, Horizons Unlimited (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/) has great resources, as does the Adventure Rider forum (http://www.advrider.com/forums/) (where Oscar, Motu and others hang out when they're not here). Whether you're planning a day trip via the scenic route or a tour of New Zealand's finest scenery or a trip around the world, those sites will provide you with all the information you'd ever want and possibly some travelling companions (Horizon's Unlimited has the HUBB where you can chat with other enthusiasts and make new friends. Registration is free like here.)

All the best, mate. Ride The World!

miSTa

21st May 2006, 17:31

Multistrada - best of both worlds.:rockon:

To expensive, to many cylinders, and I think to road orientated.

Cheers for the links and your thoughts Wolf :drinkup:

rasty

21st May 2006, 18:59

I must admit I had my tongue a wee bit in my cheek as I wrote it.

Ixion

21st May 2006, 19:02

,,,
DT230 - it has the same power/weight ratio as the XLV750,so there is no performance loss,in fact a big gain below 100kph....and over that? Well I would miss my licence far more than I do going fast a for a few kms.,,,

Of course, the BEST sort of roads are those where 100kph *IS* fast.

Wolf

21st May 2006, 19:07

The continuum of bikes:

This (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=470629&postcount=23) post by csanson.

There is a continium from the XR650R , TTR600, DR650, KLR650, Transalp, BMW 650, KLE650, to the V Strom.

I guess it's pretty obvious which end is which...

And I had some shame, so I at least credited him when I copied it.

Edbear

21st May 2006, 19:18

[QUOTE=ZZR]To expensive, to many cylinders, and I think to road orientated.
QUOTE]

You seem to be narrowing it down nicely to what you want, - a 650 single sounds the bizz! Would have recommended the new Aprillia Pegaso, but you seem to be leaning more offroad capable. The KLR has been around forever and has a fine rep among owners. Still quite a few to choose from, though!:rockon:

Wellyman

21st May 2006, 19:33

Wolf

21st May 2006, 20:59

I don't see an XR650/600 mentioned their. Obviously you are too afraid.
WM
The XR is at the off-road extreme of csanson's list, perhaps ZZR just wants a tad more on-road functionality. There are those who want, gods and goddesses forfend, a V-strom.

miSTa

21st May 2006, 21:00

You seem to be narrowing it down nicely to what you want, - a 650 single sounds the bizz! Would have recommended the new Aprillia Pegaso, but you seem to be leaning more offroad capable. The KLR has been around forever and has a fine rep among owners. Still quite a few to choose from, though!:rockon:

Yeah I reckon a big thumper is the way to go.

The Pegaso is an interesting machine and good looking but ultimately I'm not prepared to spend that much money.

I didn't really think that I was leaning to the more off road capable bike. Why I like the DR is that I can do all the servicing myself. It's also slightly cheaper too if I go new. The only drawback is the pathetic tank size and that's where the KLR is king, plus the water cooling, and better seat.

I don't see an XR650/600 mentioned their. Obviously you are too afraid.
WM

:laugh: Yes of course I am. Seriously though I think th XR is too dirt orientated for me.

Wolf

21st May 2006, 21:25

Seriously though I think th XR is too dirt orientated for me.
Well, you are coming from a ZZR so you've got to phase yourself in gradual-like. It'll take at least a couple of bikes before you're at the point of getting pissed off at all these paved roads that keep criss-crossing your favourite routes...

XTC

21st May 2006, 22:26

I think th XR is too dirt orientated for me.
And it's a joke to have to kickstart a big single in this day and age. What were honda thinking not fitting electric start to the XR650R?? And why have they never made an adventure version of this, with a bigger tank and more road biased??

Transalper

24th June 2006, 22:37

...Of course, it depends on what ratio of road and trail you want....

Adventure bikes are for those to whom the journey is more important than the destination. Sports Tourers are great for getting from A to B at speed, Adventure bikes are great for getting to B through scenic locations C to Z at a pace where you can actually see the scenery...

All the best, mate. Ride The World!
I agree with what Wolf said.
I came from a 1991 CBR1000F to a 2000 BMW F650. At first it was great, then i missed the warp factor and although i could still carry the missus on back, it wasn't nearly as comfortable. And the vibration of the single compared to the four was quite a change too.
BUT in the end the more i rode it in to the unknowen, the more i liked it, and manovering it was a dream.
Then I finally swapped the F650 for the 1996 XLV600 Transalp about a year ago and have never looked back.
The Transalps V-Twin smoothed out the vibration and there's enough fairing to protect me from the wind giveing better sealed road comfort and long distance touring joy (and the misus is happy now too). The 21inch front wheel (F650GS had a 19inch slightly wider tyre) gives a much better dirt, mud, shingle and lately snow ride.
I've found the perfect bike for me:drool: . Now I don't miss the warp factor at all anymore, and almost every shingle road or track i see, i want to explore.

Oscar

26th June 2006, 20:03

A coupla observations:

1. I road an XR650R recently and whereas it wasn't hard to start, I was surprised at how crude it was, and I've always been a big Xr fan. Compared to the KTM I was on at the time it was barge like...

2. Damn near any dirt bike qualifies as an adventure bike these days. I've seen guys on all manner of bikes, from a chair-less Ural to KDX's with trailer plates on them.

3. In my experience, in NZ conditions middle sized trailies
are best for adventure use. A DR/KLR650, KTM640 or similar will go anywhere.

4. On the otherhand, middle sized ADV bikes are usually disappointing. I had a F650GSD and hated it. Why have a DL650, when you can have the 1000?

5. The only exception to 4) is the Trans Alp. These things are great, do they still sell 'em?

Jantar

26th June 2006, 20:25

...
2. Damn near any dirt bike qualifies as an adventure bike these days. I've seen guys on all manner of bikes, from a chair-less Ural to KDX's with trailer plates on them.

I would disagree with this. To my way of thinking what you are describing isn't adventure riding, but rather dirt riding with the ability to use the road to get to the dirt.

I would consider adventure riding to be the ability to go anywhere, on any roads or trails for long distances, with only a little off road where neccessary.

There is a lot of country in New Zealand that isn't really suitable for sports tourers (although some of us use them anyway), but still isn't off road riding. Some examples would be: The Dunstan Trail, Hakataramea pass, Molesworth Station, etc.
Most dirt bikes simply don't have the range or luggage carrying capability for many of these rides.

... 3. In my experience, in NZ conditions middle sized trailies
are best for adventure use. A DR/KLR650, KTM640 or similar will go anywhere....

However this part of your statement is right on the button. As I do quite a bit of two up riding I have opted for the DL1000. OK, it won't have the same off road capability as a DR or KTM, so doesn't qualify as a true dirt bike, but as an adventure bike, capable of covering long distances with a full load, I believe it will do the job nicely.

SDU

27th June 2006, 13:15

Yeah I reckon a big thumper is the way to go.

Another one sees the light:yes:

Don't forget to check out the KTM range off enduro bikes too.
The LC4640 is a great all rounder. There are a few with The Adventure here too.

chris

27th June 2006, 16:28

I would consider adventure riding to be the ability to go anywhere, on any roads or trails for long distances, with only a little off road where neccessary.
Normally you would be spot on with that observation but unfortunately you're probably wrong. On most organised adventure rides in NZ you need a decent amount of off-road capability or the sort of talent that allows you to ride almost anything on an adventure ride.
That's why we at Kiwi Rider are putting together the Kaipara Coast 200 Adventure Ride on 22nd October. It will be suitable for just about anything on suitable adventure tyres and won't feature enduro style sections. Watch this space.

miSTa

28th June 2006, 07:23

Another one sees the light:yes:

:laugh: Yeah it took a while to see the light

Don't forget to check out the KTM range off enduro bikes too. The LC4640 is a great all rounder. There are a few with The Adventure here too.

I had thought of the KTM's and even went into Superior M/Cs last week. I didn't get a chance to look around too much as it was 6:00pm (a big thumbs up for inviting me in even though they had closed for the day) and the guys there were busy extolling the virtures of the 950 adventure :laugh: Must go back for a proper look around.

Just need to sell a perfectly good ZZR1100 :wait:

SDU

28th June 2006, 11:18

extolling the virtures of the 950 adventure :laugh: Must go back for a proper look around.

Go back soon & take it (they are open most off Sat's)for a spin, plse don't :wait: too long & take the temptation away before it gets too much & it ends up in our garage!:innocent:

Your bike is real mint shouldn't be long before someone picks it up.

Rashika

28th June 2006, 11:31

:laugh: Yeah it took a while to see the light

I had thought of the KTM's and even went into Superior M/Cs last week. I didn't get a chance to look around too much as it was 6:00pm (a big thumbs up for inviting me in even though they had closed for the day) and the guys there were busy extolling the virtures of the 950 adventure :laugh: Must go back for a proper look around.

Just need to sell a perfectly good ZZR1100 :wait:
perfectly good.... hmmm now i guess thats ONE way to describe it :shutup:

Jantar

28th June 2006, 11:32

Normally you would be spot on with that observation but unfortunately you're probably wrong. On most organised adventure rides in NZ you need a decent amount of off-road capability or the sort of talent that allows you to ride almost anything on an adventure ride...

Unfortunately, I too have noticed this trend. Most organised adventure rides do appear to be tending more to straight trail riding rather than Adventure riding. I notice that the 2007 Yamaha South Island Safari is based in my local area, and they provide a truck to carry the rider's gear. That is definitely not true adventure riding.

So what type of riding is it now for long distance, all types types of road, some off road to get around obstacles, and carry your own gear?

Oscar

28th June 2006, 20:56

clint640

29th June 2006, 10:27

Unfortunately, I too have noticed this trend. Most organised adventure rides do appear to be tending more to straight trail riding rather than Adventure riding. I notice that the 2007 Yamaha South Island Safari is based in my local area, and they provide a truck to carry the rider's gear. That is definitely not true adventure riding.

So what type of riding is it now for long distance, all types types of road, some off road to get around obstacles, and carry your own gear?

I guess it's 'cos adventure riding as many of us see it doesn't really require much organisation, you just point the bike down some backroads, maybe after getting some ideas off a map.

If people want to pay money to do a trail ride with a few road sections good on them. I'd rather just put on the proper knobs & go do a trail ride. However a good course like the CCA, which can be done on a bike you rode there on, makes for a great days fun & a good social thing too. Hopefully the Kaipara Coast ride is the first of many imitators.

Cheers
Clint

miSTa

29th June 2006, 21:31

Go back soon & take it (they are open most off Sat's)for a spin, plse don't :wait: too long & take the temptation away before it gets too much & it ends up in our garage!:innocent:
As much as I would like too it's beyond what I'm prepared to spend on a bike this time round so not much point. It does look good though.

Your bike is real mint shouldn't be long before someone picks it up.
Thanks, fingers crossed

I guess it's 'cos adventure riding as many of us see it doesn't really require much organisation, you just point the bike down some backroads, maybe after getting some ideas off a map.
Sounds like a good defnition to me. Simple too.

Wolf

29th June 2006, 21:46

As much as I would like too it's beyond what I'm prepared to spend on a bike this time round so not much point. It does look good though.
Jeez, man. Don't let the fact you don't plan on buying one yet stop you from taking it for a spin so you can at least say you've ridden one.

I didn't let the fact that 18 grand is way out of my price range stop me from taking a BMW F650GS Dakar for a test ride.

It sold not long after so if I hadn't seized the day I'd have missed out on riding the only F650 GSD I've encountered with the low seat bench (I wouldn't be able to reach the ground at all from the standard seat.

If you like it, you'll have something to aim for in the future. If you don't, you've learned, you'll move on and find other bikes to try out and eventually find the one to lust after...

miSTa

29th June 2006, 21:55

Yeah maybe, but if it's as good as they reckon then it's just going to confuse even more (if that's possible - I already feel like I'm going mad)

Henk

29th June 2006, 22:12

Learn to live with the fact that you are going mad. Bite the bullet and buy something, anything. I'd recommend a DR650, good middle of spectrum adventure bike. In six months time you'll know if it's right and if it's not you'll know if you need to move to a more road or off road oriented bike.

Adamski

29th June 2006, 22:26

Yeah I reckon a big thumper is the way to go.

Seriously though I think th XR is too dirt orientated for me.

You might be surprised about that. The XR600/650 is a fantastic bike. My 600 took me comfortably over 4000kms in Aus in one 5 week trip. It had everything, including a 21l aftermarket tank. Huge ground clearance, torque, relatively light and yet still passing the road trains at 140k when required.

The great thing is it can take you 500k in a day over road and still mix it in almost anything else. :sunny:

Go for it man - you'll have a ball whichever bike you choose.

miSTa

30th June 2006, 08:25

Maybe, but it's not particulary passenger friendly though. I need to sit down and write out what I'm looking for.

XTC

30th June 2006, 08:39

You might be surprised about that.
Is your WR450 Road legal? If so whats it like on the road?
Andy.

Wolf

30th June 2006, 09:17

Maybe, but it's not particulary passenger friendly though. I need to sit down and write out what I'm looking for.
That's the best plan. Write down everything you want in the bike and compare that to what's available. That's how I wound up with the XT225 - it was the best available fit for the list of criteria and I don't regret the purchase - it was pretty much a perfect fit, actually. Strayjuliet enjoys riding it as well and it's her chance to get her licence.

Jantar

30th June 2006, 09:55

Maybe, but it's not particulary passenger friendly though. I need to sit down and write out what I'm looking for.
If you want something that is passenger friendly then you will definitely need to look at the mid to larger sizes. ie 650 cc or bigger. As the size goes up, the bikes also tend to move from the pure dirt end of the riding spectrum to the more road orientated end. You'll need to decide also just how much highway road riding you'll be doing, how much back country sealed road, how much gravel road, how much dirt road, and how much off road. Only you will know what purpose you'll be using it for.

To repeat the spectrum from csanson, I'd even expand it out a bit further: XR650R , TTR600, DR650, KLR650, Transalp, BMW 650, KLE650, Wee Strom, KTM 990, BMW R1200GS, VStrom.

Adamski

30th June 2006, 12:17

Andy it's legal and OK on the road. Gets me to where I want to do some serious offroading. Wouldn't want to do long distance adventure touring though, hence I'd recommend the XR, which can still be a great deal of fun in the dirt, sand, or whatever.

The WR is even more extreme - right at the very front of that dualsport continuum I guess!

Jantar

30th June 2006, 13:18

The WR is even more extreme - right at the very front of that dualsport continuum I guess!

Which brings us right back to the point made earlier in the thread; that perhaps we do need to distinguish between dualsports and adventure bikes.

yes, you can use some dual sports bikes for adventure riding, and you can use some solid road bikes (with care) for adventure riding, but a lot of the more dirt orientated dual sports bikes would struggle on a real adventure ride without back up. They are just too limited by fuel range and luggage carrying capability.

Wolf

30th June 2006, 13:49

but a lot of the more dirt orientated dual sports bikes would struggle on a real adventure ride without back up. They are just too limited by fuel range and luggage carrying capability.
Unless you get inventive. On the XT225 site there are pics of people's attempts at mounting luggage and extra fuel tanks on their XTs to better equip them for long hauls. I'm pretty sure that most dirt-oriented bikes could be modified to carry extra fuel and a modicum of stuff - and how much you need will depend on where you're going, where you'll be staying on the way and how much personal shit you personally feel you need.

When I first started camping and tramping I used to toil under a huge pack crammed to bursting point, now I use a pack half the size and I could fit some more stuff in it if I really felt I needed it. A few well-chosen essentials and some judicious packing and you don't really need twin 35-litre panniers, a 30-litre top box and a 25 litre tank bag with twin 10-litre side bags dangling past the engine even if you are going around the world.

Especially not if you're on a BMW - all you need is a secure, dry pocket in your jacket for your Platinum Card...

Macktheknife

30th June 2006, 14:13

I am a big fan of the Suzuki Vstroms, the 650 is a great bike with good range and handles really well and is substantially lighter than the 1000. It has about 75% of the power of the thou and is lots of fun. But if you are going to look at the DL1000 you should also consider the Kawasaki KLV1000. All of them are passenger friendly too.
Here's a link comparing them and giving owners thoughts on them.
http://vstrom.info/

Jantar

30th June 2006, 14:31

But if you are going to look at the DL1000 you should also consider the Kawasaki KLV1000.
Did Kawasaki bring the KLV1000 into New Zealand? It is exactly the same as the DL1000, but rebadged as a Kawasaki. It was part of the now defunct Suzuki-Kawasaki collaboration.

Macktheknife

30th June 2006, 14:33

Did Kawasaki bring the KLV1000 into New Zealand? It is exactly the same as the DL1000, but rebadged as a Kawasaki. It was part of the now defunct Suzuki-Kawasaki collaboration.
I may be misinformed, but I was told there were some small differences, I understand there are a few of them in the country but only private imports not dealer imported. Either way good bikes.

Jantar

30th June 2006, 14:43

There could be some minor diffences, although I'm not aware of any. The VStrom and Stromtrooper forums both list them as the same bike apart from the colour. If there are any diffences at all they are likely to be in cosmetic items, and possibly the seat. All Frame, engine and suspension items are the same.

eldog

13th September 2020, 19:44

Ok, it’s an old thread, still relevant today given the large choice of bikes being released.

I like my sport tourer and it is quite comfortable for longer distances.
it is quiet and hums along with often no effort as the rider is quite satisfied with a semi cruise when riding.

however I am getting older and riding a lot less than I used to.

the bike is more than capable of doing more, but the rider doesn’t have experience or time to improve.

i have been thinking for a while about changing reluctantly to a more adventure style of bike with its upright style and more modern riding aids. Comfort, Cruise and traction control would be high on my list.

if I am riding 95+% of the time on the road, how does the narrower profile and say a 21” tyre of the adventure affect handling on the road vs a 17” tyre on a sport tourer?
thinking about the difference in tyre choice for the road. I really prefer a great tyre that grips in the wet, doesn’t need to be ultra long lasting. How many choices are there for this adventure style?

sure I could buy a smaller adventure machine 650 upto a 1200.
Have ridden a Yamaha XT660R and it was a blast, but too tall for long term use.

there are so many “improvements” lately it can lead to be blinded by science.

Update:
i have re read this thread, i maybe looking at something far more road going than what the original posters were thinking about. They were looking at real adventure riding not the showy ‘adventure style’ of bike, like what I am looking at.

caseye

13th September 2020, 21:00

Climb on the AT on Thursday, you will buy one, the old one has sold, so it's gone.
Word is there is going to be a 750 AT with DCT soon, that would suit you down to the ground.
Matamata yesterday, overnight at The Opal Hot springs.
Te Aroha next weekend.:sunny:

eldog

13th September 2020, 21:33

BMWST?

13th September 2020, 21:35

At least 90 percent of adventure bikes are actually the sport tourers now.

Gremlin

13th September 2020, 23:00

if I am riding 95+% of the time on the road, how does the narrower profile and say a 21” tyre of the adventure affect handling on the road vs a 17” tyre on a sport tourer?
thinking about the difference in tyre choice for the road. I really prefer a great tyre that grips in the wet, doesn’t need to be ultra long lasting. How many choices are there for this adventure style?

sure I could buy a smaller adventure machine 650 upto a 1200.
Have ridden a Yamaha XT660R and it was a blast, but too tall for long term use.
You don't want the 21" front unless you're actually adventure riding. You can feel the difference in handling, and your tyre selection doesn't have a lot of strictly road tyres. 19/17 will be as far as you want to go, as the Road 5 for example comes in a 19", and the 21 is often quite skinny (90/90), further compromising road handling. When we're running knobblies, that isn't as much of a factor...

eldog

14th September 2020, 19:09

You don't want the 21" front unless you're actually adventure riding. You can feel the difference in handling, and your tyre selection doesn't have a lot of strictly road tyres. 19/17 will be as far as you want to go, as the Road 5 for example comes in a 19", and the 21 is often quite skinny (90/90), further compromising road handling. When we're running knobblies, that isn't as much of a factor...

Thanks Gremlin,
You have probably hit the last nail in the coffin on this one, for me.

the 21” wheel and the price for the Electronic Suspension version really blew me away.
looked at Australian prices and thought, yeah $ conversion and some extra work etc.

so looks like I will be keeping the old girl for a while yet.:wings:

the 21” wheels has had me at a loss.

15th September 2020, 17:56

My 390 Adventure only has 19" front and it's fine on gravel and bloody excellent on DRY seal. Still shocks me the lean angle and spped it will hold in a curve.

Bonez

15th September 2020, 18:12

I'm loving my '98 XF650 as well. Comfortable and set up for me and me alone. Great weather protection, light as hell and plenty of power for everything apart from drag racing. Which is no problem as I don't do drag like Luvaboy does ;)

2smokes

15th September 2020, 18:23

I'm with Caseye 100%.
I've been away for a while and in that time I got old. I've traditionally had a large capacity sport bike and a dirt bike in the shed. Now the sport bike thing doesn't do what it used to for me. Hurts my ass, knees and wrists. After much procrastination, I purchased a new AT adventure sport. It's as comfy as the lounge chair, handles well for a farm bike and still has cool shit like quickshifter etc. AND I can hoon on gravel. I did the Coro loop on saturday including a blast over the 309. What a hoot. Anyone that says you can't pedal a bike with a 21" front wheel needs to come out with me on this thing.

eldog

15th September 2020, 19:25

Now the sport bike thing doesn't do what it used to for me. Hurts my ass, knees and wrists. After much procrastination, I purchased a new AT adventure sport. It's as comfy as the lounge chair, handles well for a farm bike and still has cool shit like quickshifter etc. AND I can hoon on gravel. I did the Coro loop on saturday including a blast over the 309. What a hoot. Anyone that says you can't pedal a bike with a 21" front wheel needs to come out with me on this thing.

My job has become more office based and I am starting to notice the lack of physical exercise.
The sportstourer although comfortable isn’t as enjoyable as it used to be, lack of use etc has not helped at all.
Been looking at AT and similar bikes, but always shied away from the 21” wheels on the road.

will talk to the Honda dealer, I mean Caseye and get the low down.

caseye

15th September 2020, 22:51

My job has become more office based and I am starting to notice the lack of physical exercise.
The sportstourer although comfortable isn’t as enjoyable as it used to be, lack of use etc has not helped at all.
Been looking at AT and similar bikes, but always shied away from the 21” wheels on the road.

will talk to the Honda dealer, I mean Caseye and get the low down. Ha!
Come take it for a ride mate, you will be amazed.
:2guns: