Why do you hate BMW 650s? [Archive]

tipper

25th September 2007, 08:12

deanohit

25th September 2007, 08:18

Ha, I see you've done ya background reading on here, these guys love their DR650s.
I don't know of anything wrong with the beemers, but I've heard they're more road than adventure, but plenty of people seem to take them to some far out places.

cooneyr

25th September 2007, 08:33

I have been looking around for the next bike (sold Yammie XT600), and was looking for something with better road manners (to get to the adventure from Auckland) and a 21" front. Has to be able to be picked up, hence no 990 or GS.
BMW Dakar, KTM 640 Adventure, or how does the standard KTM 640 fit ( I dislike the styling of the Adventure). Rode a Husky 600 something down South and it had lovely road manners, and was not too bad in the rough.
Plenty of people rubbish the BMWs, but plenty love 'em; why the divide?
And no, I'm not going to buy a DR650!!!!!!!!!!

We (well I) dont hate them they are just not right for me. We (read I) like the DR650 cause it has torque in the right place, is lighter, narrower, can carry plenty of gear, is plenty fast enough, and I find the seat more comfortable than the Dakar (long arms and find the Dakar seat restrictive).

In Chch there are at least 4 Dakars and 4 DR650s that I can think of right now, plus an assortment of KLR's etc etc. Take your pick - they all work perfectly well and they all have "issues" to watch out for. The KLR and Dakar are similar in abilities and the DR650 is slightly more dirt orientated. Plug has taken his Dakar pretty well everywhere I've taken the DR (or is that the other way round) so they are plenty capable with the right tyres and rider.

I dont think there is anything wrong per say with the KTM's either but ya gotta have monies for one of thems. Remember you can get at 18l factory made tank for the SXC625/640LC4E.

Cheers R

Crisis management

25th September 2007, 08:45

Yummy, fresh meat!

No, seriously, get whatever suits you, we all have opinions (and of course mine are the only correct ones) but as long as you are happy with it, what the hell.

I've only ridden a 650 Dakar for a couple of km's (thanks windboy) but was impressed with the comfort. Compared to my bike it felt a bit less powerful and harder to break the rear out and it is significantly heavier but the up side of great fuel economy, comfort, range, did I mention comfort, are all very positive aspects. My only negative was the very constrained seating position; bum was firmly positioned in one place and the sculpting on the tank constrained your leg position as well. However, this was a very brief ride, so I'm being a bit hypercritical pointing these things out. I would love to take a longer trip on the Dakar to see how it stacks up.

Buy something and come out for a ride........

Actually, PM Windboy and he will whisper in your ear all sorts of dirty BMW secrets. :whistle:

clint640

25th September 2007, 09:13

There's nowt wrong with the 650GS beemers, if you want to go to a more street friendly & comfortable adv single than your XT they're probably an excellent choice. I wouldn't suggest a KTM 640 given those criteria, you'd get the KTM if you wanted something more dirt capable.

The main thing I'd call the Dakar on is the weight, they are nearly as heavy as a 12GS or KTM990.

I do the same stuff on my 640 Enduro (equipped with 18L tank & windscreen) that my mate does on his Dakar. I like the better suspension, tougher plastics, cheaper parts & lighter weight of my KTM, but I don't have the comfort of the Dakar. It's what works for me.

Cheers
Clint

Jantar

25th September 2007, 09:17

On last year's Passes ride the Dakar kept up with the bigger bikes on the road sections, and was easily the best bike on the gravel and dirt.

It is an ideal Adventure bike.

tipper

25th September 2007, 09:20

There's nowt wrong with the 650GS beemers, if
I do the same stuff on my 640 Enduro (equipped with 18L tank & windscreen) that my mate does on his Dakar. I like the better suspension, tougher plastics, cheaper parts & lighter weight of my KTM, but I don't have the comfort of the Dakar. It's what works for me.

Cheers
Clint

What are the main differences with the std 640? Smaller tank only? I used to have a 520, so am well aware of KTM engineering and need for 'enthusiast' owner.

sAsLEX

25th September 2007, 09:21

I recently rode a KTM 640 Adventure after years on Road bikes.

I liked it though cant really comment on the adventure part of it as I spent the majority of the time on the road, but it went well there dispensing twisties with ease with the likeable torque of the single suiting tighter stuff, though on the MW it tops out near 80MPH before getting too loose/high revs.

And they don't look too bad.

sels1

25th September 2007, 09:24

windboy

25th September 2007, 10:12

I have been looking around for the next bike (sold Yammie XT600), and was looking for something with better road manners (to get to the adventure from Auckland) and a 21" front. Has to be able to be picked up, hence no 990 or GS.
BMW Dakar, KTM 640 Adventure, or how does the standard KTM 640...

All the bikes you mention are good reliable bikes (if looked after properly). They all compromise one thing for another due to the nature of the "dual purposeness". The kind or riding you're planning on doing will determine which one is best for you. And there's also the stoke factor, to do with the feeling of riding it and the looks of the bike...

I've ridden crisis's DR650 on the weekend and struggle to think about a better bike for the dirt/gravel/sand/off road in general, brought a big grin on my face instantly (it's a hoon machine!!!). However, sealed roads, long hauls and specially commuting I can think of a few other better suited with a better compromise.

I had a transalp before which was a great bike but maybe too top heavy for me (being a short arse and all that), making it dicey when the going got tough.

The dakar seems to better suits what I need it for. The rotax motor is a bit of a legend, 210 mm travel front and rear adapts well to my type of riding. I fault the electrics it as they seem a bit exposed to the weather and falls but that can all be fixed with a bit of home made weatherproofing. She's still a bit heavy but the CoG is well low so you don't notice it much.

KTMs surely exceeds my riding skills hence they would be wasted on me...:cool: They are definetly leading edge perormance oriented bikes... just watch the dakar rally and see how many of them....

May also pay checking the new tenere, could suit what you're after? based on your old XT and making it a bit more civilised?

Back to the original question, what do a I hate of the GS650? the handgrips are damn flimsy, need to upgrade to acerbis ones...

later,

Finn

25th September 2007, 10:18

Had a look at one at the new Auckland BMW showroom. Looked like a great bike to me. I'll take one for a ride once the showroom officially opens.

warewolf

25th September 2007, 10:24

Plenty of people rubbish the BMWs, but plenty love 'em; why the divide?Different people value different characteristics. I don't hate any bike. My personal perspective is that when it comes to outright adventuring, BMW's marketing team does a better job than their engineers; there are other bikes out there that are the reverse.

But none of us here gives a shit what you ride. Adventure riding has to be the greatest compromise in motorcycling. At some point of the ride we all wish we were on a different bike (or at least different tyres!), but we enjoy most the one we own. We all fall off, we all have good days and off days, we all readily help each other out, we all take the piss and we all have a good time doing it and lying about it in the pub (and on KB) afterwards.

What are the main differences with the std 640? Smaller tank only? I used to have a 520, so am well aware of KTM engineering and need for 'enthusiast' owner.The RC4(?) 520 motor is way more highly strung and maintenance-intensive than the LC4 640 series. Performance enduro racer versus lazy trail bike. The LC4 Enduro has a typical enduro tank, enduro seat, single front disc, 43mm forks(?), high front guard, suitably narrow front rim, typically weak enduro headlight, no fairing. The 640 Adventure gets the 25.5L tank (used to be 28L), comfort seat, fairing, twin discs, stupid wide soft front rim, good headlights, low front guard, 48mm forks, bash plate, power socket, hand guards, centre stand, umm think that's it. I reckon the 640E with factory 18L tank and comfort seat is the best bang for your buck.

I recently rode a KTM 640 Adventure after years on Road bikes. ... though on the MW it tops out near 80MPH before getting too loose/high revs.Well mine cruises comfortably on that all day (even on the dirt), that's about peak torque on them with std gearing, never topped it out, seen 185km/h and still going. Heck I've seen 170-odd on the dirt. In std trim one of the complaints is that they are a little top-endy, mine's still std Euro 2 compliant. Basic uncorking mainly releases the bottom end grunt you'd expect it to have in the first place, but of course returns a couple of ponies up top. They have more power and less weight than a Dakar; on half-dry weights the Dakar is 200 kW/t, the 640 Adventure is 253 kW/t.

sAsLEX

25th September 2007, 10:31

scrubs

25th September 2007, 10:52

I have the F650GS and while there is no denying its a great bike
It boils down to different horses for different courses My dispute with the bike is the weight - something I am pretty anal about when It comes to touring, If I can shave a 100 or so pounds
off a bike before I have even began to pack it then I feel I am on a winner.
Another thing that miffs me about it, is the engine - Now I know it's
possible to work on these things competently, you only need to check out the FAQ at
f650.com to see this and the great supposrt that goes on there, but as stupid
as it may sound I never found the engine welcoming to work on - for want of much better words. I like to get intimate with my bikes and that is
something that I have never been able to do for some reason with this bike -- it almost screams at me "don't fuckin touch me"
partly down to the FI. But like I said it's horses for courses, there is no wrong or right, they have proved themselves excellent RTW bikes times over,
If it feels right for you, buy one. I doubt you will be dissapointed, depending on your expectations.
The funny thing is I am selling mine for a DR650 :D

As for why people hate them, I dunno, probably lots of different reasons, but I would say marketing plays a big role.
I can't deny that I have thought badly when I see someone on their GS with a BMW rally pro suit, BMW GS2 enduro boots and BMW helmet, cap and sweat shirt,
like they have bought into and fell for a whole marketing package. Obviously that is definitlry not the case for all BMW riders but just an example
of what tugs on my tits at times, but I suppose thats very hypocritical off me to think so.

clint640

25th September 2007, 10:57

What are the main differences with the std 640? Smaller tank only? I used to have a 520, so am well aware of KTM engineering and need for 'enthusiast' owner.

By std 640 do you mean 640 Adv or my 640 Enduro before mods? Before 05 the 640 Enduro & 640 Adv were the same apart from, on the Adv, big 28L tank, top fairing/lights, tacho, low front guard, centre stand & slightly different seat. Post 05 the Adv got bigger diameter forks & twin discs up front also.

My Enduro is now fitted with the KTM accessory 18L tank & comfort seat, it's quick to swap the original 12L tank & slimmer seat back on. I've also made up a windscreen, pannier racks, carrier & radiator guards for it.

Cheers
Clint

sAsLEX

25th September 2007, 11:12

on the Adv, big 28L tank, top fairing/lights, tacho, low front guard, centre stand & slightly different seat. Post 05 the Adv got bigger diameter forks & twin discs up front also.

You sure?
<img src=http://www.motorcyclingblog.com/pictures/ktm-640-lc4-adventure-2003.jpg>

GaZBur

25th September 2007, 11:26

I have been looking around for the next bike (sold Yammie XT600), and was looking for something ....
And no, I'm not going to buy a DR650!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like there is only one possible course of action available to you as far as I can see. List all your possible options, then go to the shops and ask for a test ride!!! Buy what feels best to you after that.
Hell we all buy what we want and then justify it with logic afterwards anyway, so why not have some fun making your decision. Don't forget to test the DR though - you may even be converted.

clint640

25th September 2007, 13:13

You sure?

Not anymore :-)

The 05 on ones definitely have the low guard. Lotsa people replace 'em with a high one.

Cheers
Clint

warewolf

25th September 2007, 16:37

2002 I was playing on, will get to 100MPH if you are trying hard, but thats ringing its tits off which aint that flash for a single?

It had decent head lights , but a high guard , and one disc brake.

What year bike are you looking at?Mine's an '05.

'04, after the 950 was released, the 640 Adventure got basically the same front end as the 950: bigger diameter forks, twin discs, low guard. '03 they got the "High Flow" head, negating the need for mild port work. One of the benefits of the low guard is better aerodynamics.

People seem to be happy running rear tyres a size or two too small, which will lower the gearing and make the thing rev its tits off when on the highway.

<img src=http://motorcyclingblog.com/pictures/ktm-640-lc4-adventure-2004.jpg>

tipper

25th September 2007, 17:44

Thanks all, looks like I'd better ride both, the BMW does appeal (gettin' fatter and older) but the LC4 does appeal to the hoon in me. Still hate the Adventure 'look', so a 640 Enduro with tank and/or seat looks promising. Will be a struggle finding one methinks.

Zukin

25th September 2007, 19:39

Like everyone else here has already said, we love all bikes :)

Me however, I have the 650GS, and I use it all them time for gravel and road riding, and all I can say is it is brilliant :clap:
Great for those long trips

I would never use it for anything much harder than gravel roads (eg Trail, mud etc) that is why I also have a DRZ for trail riding :)

If I was looking at a KTM, I would wait until the 690 hits our shores (2009 I believe), that might be worth waiting for :)

Cheers Scott

westie

25th September 2007, 19:50

Rode the 650f once. It broke down at the bottom of the mountain, half way up and at the top. Funnily enough when ever I stopped the electrics would just give in. Never got to the bottom of the problem. Just shook the wiring loom and associated square box things and off down the road for a jump start.
Not a bad bike for touring around an island tho

ZReX12

25th September 2007, 21:32

Zukin

25th September 2007, 22:05

Why do people hate F650's?
Because they are boring boring bikes, do everything OK but nothing that makes ya smile and want to ride it. Good for getting to point b or c, but ridings more about fun and getting there than just the destination, otherwise you'd take the train to work (the GS train).
Get a KTM they have the sex appeal BMW's can never have.

Blah Blah Whatever!!!

I have taken a 990 for a few rides now, and I have to say I prefer the price I paid for the GS, I can get 3 for the price you paid for your one :bleh:

Horses for courses, I am certainly not a Paris to Dakar rider, so therefore I cant ride like one, so I don't think I would need the horses that the 990 has :)

As for sex appeal, you are right there, you have to spend a lot of money to get it in the first place, your bike gets hot fast, starts to leak all manner of juices, lets our a scream before coming to a screeching halt, and crashes into a heap when its all over. So its rooted!! :laugh:

fleethaul

25th September 2007, 22:07

marks

25th September 2007, 22:42

I am certainly not a Paris to Dakar rider...

I dunno about that...

You gave a pretty good impression of one riding through the forest at the end of the mmmm...

cheers

Mark

oldrider

25th September 2007, 23:02

Some like to go fast, some like to go far, some like to polish, some like to bullshit. There is a bike for every purpose.
I like my Dakar, abs and all. It takes me to places that to me are fun
and challenge my riding skill, that I'm sure others might find boring.
But thats fine by me, Doesn't matter what or how others ride
they might enjoy riding as much as me , but not more.
I also own a Pegaso, with theoretically the same power plant and similar
setup. They are actually chalk and cheese. The pegaso is much less powerful
and has much less fuel range than the f650, yet in it's own way it is just as much fun.
The great thing about the Pegaso is that it lives in a shed in Sydney and I
get to ride it in totally different terrain than here in NZ.
I'm meeting some mates to ride to Phillip Island to the MotoGP via the Victorian highcountry, to ride some more of the roads and tracks we identified while riding there in May. A riding mate is currently in the Outback, I speak to him via Skype most days. He is sorting out our next years ride and tells me we need a couple of KTM950's for that trip.
My choice would be the f650 but he says you need a bit more power to get past road trains safely.
Thats my biggest bugbear with a loaded 650, passing
But as I said at the start, some like to bullshit.

I had the pleasure of riding with fleethaul and in one short ride and a wee mishap, his BMW650 won both my admiration and respect.

His bike suffered a minor (but difficult) breakdown and my first reaction was "bloody BMW"!

The on bike tool kit enabled him to repair the bike on the track and get it back on the road just on dark.

The delay meant we missed our last fuel stop and he had to ride home on an almost empty tank!

He made it with a little to spare and I was more than impressed with the bikes whole performance.

They are in my estimation an excellent choice for a venture bike in NZ.

(man that was difficult to say but I seriously mean it)

Cheers John.

Skinny_Birdman

26th September 2007, 08:07

I used to have one of the BMW F650 'Funduro's (which are really a rebadged Aprillia Pegaso) Damn good 'allrounder' type bike. Very comfy and capable on the road and quite competent on the gravel and tracks, (but its no trail bike.)
It was ok 2 up, and was reliable.

Whereas (and I'm sure I will get lambasted for this)I had one of the same ilk and thought it woeful. Ran beautifully, was a pleasure to ride and took me pretty much everywhere I wanted to go, but little things like the fragility of the plastic switchgear, or the poorly designed chain-run or the huge variety and number of fasteners which had to be undone before carrying out pretty much any maintenance, or any one of a dozen other things made it expensive to own and hard to live with... My biggest beef overall was its fragility.

Having said that, I agree with R:

In Chch there are at least 4 Dakars and 4 DR650s that I can think of right now, plus an assortment of KLR's etc etc. Take your pick - they all work perfectly well and they all have "issues" to watch out for. The KLR and Dakar are similar in abilities and the DR650 is slightly more dirt orientated. Plug has taken his Dakar pretty well everywhere I've taken the DR (or is that the other way round) so they are plenty capable with the right tyres and rider.

The Dakar and GS seem to be altogether more robust animals, and I wouldn't consider tarring them with the same brush as the poor old Funnyduro.

I have just bought TA's Transalp to see if it can measure up to my exacting standards.....

ZReX12

26th September 2007, 09:45

[QUOTE=
But as I said at the start, some like to bullshit.[/QUOTE]

If it looks like bullshit and smells like bullshit......best guess is it's probably bullshit:clap::lol::banana::banana:

far queue

26th September 2007, 18:23

And no, I'm not going to buy a DR650!!!!!!!!!!Oh, go on, you know you want to really :devil2::jerry::dodge:

_Shrek_

26th September 2007, 19:07

ZReX12

26th September 2007, 19:24

you must be a :baby: coz you dont know :shit: about them :bleh:

Mate
I had one for 2 years, put 25k on it, got bored gotta KTM.
How much more do I need to know about em?

_Shrek_

26th September 2007, 21:20

Mate
I had one for 2 years, put 25k on it, got bored gotta KTM.
How much more do I need to know about em?

i've had mine 2 years next month & done 72.5k of the 112.5k it's done & the only fault i can find is the weight when you're up in the high country or on the river bed & park it at a funny angle

like i already said!!!

pete376403

26th September 2007, 21:21

KLR650!!!! - 07 or earlier if dirt riding has higher priority than road. 08 if you do more road than dirt - although each is more than capable on either terrain. And the price can't be beat - 08s are $9590 new, 07s can still be found new for about a grand less

Oscar

26th September 2007, 23:31

Simply put, my 650GSD was:
Expensive,
Over-hyped,
Under engineered, and ultimately -
Dissapointing.

I'm over it now, though - I have a KTM640LCe...

Transalper

27th September 2007, 00:14

Simply put, my 650GSD was:
Expensive,
Over-hyped,
Under engineered, and ultimately -
Dissapointing.

I'm over it now, though - I have a...
That about sums my feelings about my 2000 F650GS when I sold it. I liked it in the beginning but it didn't take long for that buzz to wear off. There are some things that I liked in a Dakar over a GS having now ridden both (21inch front wheel feel in the shingle being the main thing) but still nothing to ever make me consider going back to a F650 of any sort. Standing on them was a bit of a mission for me, needed bowed legs to stand or to start moving foot pegs back and handle bars foward or something.
I moved up to the Transalp which I liked better on road and off road and with fond memorys will miss at times. One day I may get another one.
Now I ride a DR650 and enjoy rides even more on and especially off the sealed road.

If you really want a F650 then get one, it's the only way to stop wondering what they'd be like for you.

Alpha Solo

27th September 2007, 09:17

I love my GS 650 as a road machine, it's perfectly suited for touring the great south island roads, especially gravel but it's a bit of a handfull for me off road (in the mud).

Fitted a Staintune exhaust which sorted out the lack of low down guts, a few other mods planned.

You can get wider footrests etc from Touratech.

Zukin

27th September 2007, 09:47

I have owned mine for about 6 months now I guess, and have done about 15000km, and I still enjoy riding it :)

The main reason I got mine was so that I can take the wife on the back with our camping gear, no problems in that respect with the 650 :clap: and to take on a few more road rides as well as the gravel adventure rides we do.

It is great on the road, but like most of the others have already said no good for off road (I mean anything much worse than a rough gravel road)
I was under no illusions what so ever about its off road capabilities, that is why I have the DRZ :)

Still I am waiting to see the 690 Adventure when its released :dodge:
Then I might consider all options and what suits me best at that time

Cheers Scott

Garry.W

27th September 2007, 12:50

Simply put, my 650GSD was:
Expensive,
Over-hyped,
Under engineered, and ultimately -
Dissapointing.

I'm over it now, though - I have a KTM640LCe...

Very reserved of you Oscar. Simply put my 650GSPD was:
affordable;
capable;
well made; and
quite a lot of fun while I had it.

I'm over it now though - for the obvious reason :msn-wink:

See you

Oscar

27th September 2007, 14:54

Very reserved of you Oscar. Simply put my 650GSPD was:
affordable;
capable;
well made; and
quite a lot of fun while I had it.

I'm over it now though - for the obvious reason :msn-wink:

See you

Reserved, cool calm and collected are some of my middle names...

My problem with the GS is I thought it would do "proper" off-road stuff (albeit slowly). It was frustrating to realise that a couple of engineering fuck-ups limited it so badly.

Garry.W

27th September 2007, 15:17

Reserved, cool calm and collected are some of my middle names...

Add "wise" to this lot and we'll start to think you're getting old :nya:

BTW, was out with John F the other weekend, he's gone and got himself a KTM :niceone:

See ya

Oscar

27th September 2007, 16:20

Add "wise" to this lot and we'll start to think you're getting old :nya:

BTW, was out with John F the other weekend, he's gone and got himself a KTM :niceone:

See ya

Yes, he's come over to the dark side with a very nice 990.
Resistance is futile, Garry - you will be assimilated.
The Borg is unstoppable...

NordieBoy

27th September 2007, 17:12

Yes, he's come over to the dark side with a very nice 990.
Resistance is futile, Garry - you will be assimilated.
The Borg is unstoppable...

Berg make a 990?

Oh! Borg!

warewolf

27th September 2007, 18:41

Resistance is futile, Garry - you will be assimilated.He's a lost cause, maybe we should call him 'Eight of Nine'??

Oscar

27th September 2007, 20:49

He's a lost cause, maybe we should call him 'Eight of Nine'??

8/9?
You mean "not all there"?
You could be onto summat...

warewolf

27th September 2007, 21:29

8/9?As in, the one after Seven of Nine (http://www.google.co.nz/search?q=seven+of+nine), who also escaped assimilation.

merv

27th September 2007, 21:51

BTW, was out with John F the other weekend, he's gone and got himself a KTM :niceone:

See ya

Was talking to 4skins at lunch today - where have you been these days Garry not making the lunches?

merv

27th September 2007, 22:09

I must add after reading this thread and the earlier ones like this http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=55311 and this http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=56846 and the comments the guys that have had the BMWs have made, I should never ever complain how poorly Suzuki dirt bikes are designed and made compared to Hondas again because the BMWs make Suzukis sound like works of art.

There was me thinking BMW was meant to be a great company and its products should at least be kind of fit for purpose, but by the sound of it no match for Japanese attention to detail and quality (and if I believe the KTM owners no match for KTM either).

Me, I'd never buy a BMW anyway they are too frigging heavy when I've shrunk like Poos said - so I like my bikes light, small and sensual.

Skinny_Birdman

28th September 2007, 07:38

There was me thinking BMW was meant to be a great company and its products should at least be kind of fit for purpose, but by the sound of it no match for Japanese attention to detail and quality (and if I believe the KTM owners no match for KTM either).

M

Hear hear!! Of course, the Funduro and Strada F650s were license built in Italy, so ze Germans can't really be blamed for their many shortcomings. The engines were still made in Austria, but I never had any engine dramas with mine.....

Garry.W

28th September 2007, 08:09

Was talking to 4skins at lunch today - where have you been these days Garry not making the lunches?

Sorry Merv - in the last 3 months I've been in many places other than Wellington on Thursday/Friday. Auckland mostly but also Sydney, Invercargill, New Plymouth, Melbourne, Launceston - not bad for someone who switched roles so he wouldn't have to travel so much :(

Will catch up with you guys at some stage.

Cheers,
Garry

Garry.W

28th September 2007, 08:10

He's a lost cause, maybe we should call him 'Eight of Nine'??

:2thumbsup

mazz1972

28th September 2007, 11:16

Hubby has an 04 BMW Dakar which he loves. Intended use is for road touring and the occasional gravel jaunt, not full on off road riding - he's got a DRZ400 for that which is what he was riding on the road prior to the Dakar.

I guess it's all about your riding style, what weight and height bike you are comfortable riding with and just how offroad you want to go.

Good luck.

_Shrek_

28th September 2007, 11:32

Me, I'd never buy a BMW anyway they are too frigging heavy when I've shrunk like Poos said - so I like my bikes light, small and sensual.

well merv i've had a great run outa my Gs :ride: it suits me & what i use it for will proberly get the 800 Gs/Daker when it comes out or the 1200 will see when the time comes

the way i see it if you :love: what you ride then thats great & :ar15: your mates about what they ride is even more fun :jerry: so keep shinny side up & :banana::scooter:

cheers k

merv

28th September 2007, 13:09

the way i see it if you :love: what you ride then thats great & :ar15: your mates about what they ride is even more fun :jerry: so keep shinny side up & :banana::scooter:

cheers k

Yeah aint that the truth the point being we buy what we like and so does everyone else we hope so they don't complain too much about what they bought.

Really I was just a bit surprised to read about the issues with the BMWs I expected better of them than that.

_Shrek_

28th September 2007, 14:32

Really I was just a bit surprised to read about the issues with the BMWs I expected better of them than that.

:yeah: ditto merv but in saying that have had no probs with mine other than normal wear & tear :clap: must have got 1 made in the middle of the week & not friday arvo or the monday morning after :drinknsin

Ruralman

2nd October 2007, 20:50

AT the start of this thread the thing requested was a bike with more road manners than the XT - well theres been a lot of talk about the BMW 650's here which are really good adventure bikes but if you want a bike that can handle all the rough roads, you're not asking it to be a trail bike as well, then the best road manners in terms of weather protection as well as all round comfort and performance is probably from a 650 Transalp.
We did a bit of bike swapping on last years Passes ride and the first thing I noticed when getting onto the Dakar was "this feels like a dirt bike" (which is fine 'cos I like dirt bikes) - but as soon as I got it up to 100k's I was getting slammed by wind that I just wouldn't have noticed on the Transalp. On bigger road trips this would get tiring.
I'm wanting to move up to a bigger bike so my T/A is for sale if you're interested in a second hand one, but if you're in the market for a new one then the new fuel injected 700 Transalp is due in Jan or Feb apparently - it will be even better than the 650 which is bloody good and way underrated.

Jantar

3rd October 2007, 16:34

I love my GS 650 as a road machine, it's perfectly suited for touring the great south island roads, especially gravel but it's a bit of a handfull for me off road (in the mud)....

AT the start of this thread the thing requested was a bike with more road manners than the XT - well theres been a lot of talk about the BMW 650's here which are really good adventure bikes but if you want a bike that can handle all the rough roads, you're not asking it to be a trail bike as well,.

And herein lies the difference. The GS650 is an adventure bike with good manners in the gravel, and able to handle long distances on the seal as well. It is not a trail bike.

Like most adventure bikes, it is a compromise. If you want something more road oriented than a GS650 then look at the GS1200 or a VStrom, if you want more dirt oriented then try the TransAlp, XT, or KTM. It all depends on where in the spectrum your riding is most likely to be done. I do know that there is a tendancy to call trail rides as adventure rides, but real adventure riding doesn't involve off road riding at all, its just ALL road riding, irrespective of the condition of the road, lack of bridges, etc.

There was a thread on this site some time ago that went through the spectrum of rides from pure dirt through trail, adventure, touring to pure road/sport. I can't seem to find it at the moment, but when I do find it maybe it deserves to be a sticky so that different bikes can be properly placed in the spectrum. I believe the GS650 will be right in the middle of the Adventure bikes.

Ruralman

4th October 2007, 21:08

I'm wanting to move up to a bigger bike so my T/A is for sale if you're interested in a second hand one, but if you're in the market for a new one then the new fuel injected 700 Transalp is due in Jan or Feb apparently - it will be even better than the 650 which is bloody good and way underrated.

For what its worth my T/A is now sold - now I've got to find its replacement

Jantar

4th October 2007, 21:17

That T/A has served you well. I'll be interested in seeing what you choose as a replacement.

NordieBoy

4th October 2007, 21:21

For what its worth my T/A is now sold - now I've got to find its replacement

You've got the KDX.
Whack a Givi on the back.

Always wanted to pull up to the Maitai Valley Rally thingy on my non road legal '79 XR250 with a sleeping bag bungied to the rear guard.
Could be dropped off at Pelorus and ride through the Maungatapu and... :D

windboy

5th October 2007, 08:32

For what its worth my T/A is now sold - now I've got to find its replacement

What's going on here? in less than a month: transalper, ruralman and windboy got rid of their trannies?

For what its worth, I got rid of mine cause it was too top heavy for me (being a short arse) but I still reckon the transalp is a fantastic adventure bike...

Ruralman, were you after a tiger? In case you're interested, about a month ago there was a nice black older tiger (with the spoked wheels) pimped up for adventure, pretty immaculate at Motoworld Powersports Ltd, 3D Saturn Place, Albany, North Shore. (09) 442 5052

later,

oldrider

5th October 2007, 09:10

Transalper

5th October 2007, 10:42

What's going on here? in less than a month: transalper, ruralman and windboy got rid of their trannies?

Mine went because my partner now rides her own so no more need for the extra pillion friendly and big luggage side of life.
Also some of the adventurous rides I find myself on are more and more in to the trail ride category now days. While the Transalp could still take me there, the DR650 is easier going when things get real muddy or rough.
So I changed my bike when my focus got more Trail orientated.
When my focus turns back from tracks to roads with a few pillion rides thrown in I would be very keen for a new Transalp.

oldrider

5th October 2007, 13:40

That's the real guts of it Transalper, defining what category of riding you do!

Trail: No :no:

Venture: Yes :sweatdrop

Sports: Yes :confused:

Touring: Yes :niceone:

Track (off road): No :no:

Track (on road): No :no:

Then it's a matter of finding the bike/bikes most suitable for the riding you want to do!

I can only afford "one" bike these days, so I am trying to adapt the Tiger to suit our requirements.

What I regard as Trail is too hard for me now, even on a trail bike and competitive racing of any type is beyond my capability even if I secretly would love to have a go at it, in my dreams!

So today it seems we need a bike for Venture/Touring with a dab of Sports where I can coax a bit out of the situation.

The Tiger is too big and too hard for me to handle at the Trail edge of Venture riding too, so I have to be very careful just where I point that front wheel.

All else taken into account, the Tiger is shaping up real well, so far and we are both really enjoying it! :lol: Cheers, John.

PS: Do they make a VTwin Zimmer yet? :headbang:

Skinny_Birdman

5th October 2007, 17:29

Mine went because my partner now rides her own so no more need for the extra pillion friendly and big luggage side of life.
Also some of the adventurous rides I find myself on are more and more in to the trail ride category now days. While the Transalp could still take me there, the DR650 is easier going when things get real muddy or rough.
So I changed my bike when my focus got more Trail orientated.
When my focus turns back from tracks to roads with a few pillion rides thrown in I would be very keen for a new Transalp.

I'll sell it back to yer when I've thrashed the s*** out of it - even I wouldn't buy a bike off a 24 year old with a Blackbird :crazy:

...but at least it's still in the hands of a KB'er. To me the Transalp is a robust, affordable alternative to the Funduro, as well as a forgiving, easy to ride bike that will be an ideal first full licence bike for my partner. I'lll still be holding on to my beloved TT250R for the real gnarly stuff, because I don't want TimG to show me up with his superior Transalp skills.:third:
Now I just need a race bike.... and a winning lotto ticket...

timg

5th October 2007, 17:44

TimG to show me up with his superior Transalp skills. :third:
Now I just need a race bike.... and a winning lotto ticket...

Skill? Wot skill? Stoopidity - yup! Big balls - maybe! Yer not allowed a winning ticket until mine comes in :bleh: & there's a Blade in my shed.

Ruralman

8th October 2007, 14:26

Ruralman needs/desires a litre plus bike and soon his hand will be revealed, what will he buy to replace the trusty TransAlp?

Maybe we should run a poll?

BMW
Triumph
Suzuki
KTM
Vespa
Zimmer :laugh:

All will be revealed in due course, rumour has it he is on the bargain trail, even as we speak. :whistle: Cheers John.

Too late for poll - deal done, possession next week.
John has summed up my reason - I want a litre bike. I have a dirt bike for serious trail and off road. For the big adventure trips fully loaded, sometimes with a pillion the 650 just doesn't have enough grunt for me - especially when you're riding with guys on bigger bikes on the highway. I also do quite a few tarmac only rides and again the extra cubes makes a difference. The Transalp did keep up but you were ringing its neck sometimes to do that and the others were just loping along - the T/A got surprisingly thirsty too when pushed like this and the bike I'm getting is more economical, plus has a bigger tank, as well as the extra cc's.
When I'm on my own without much luggage I am still very happy on the T/A - unless theres some passing manoevre I want to pull off when, shall we just say the speed the manoevre starts at is slightly higher than the recommended limit...............
The T/A is a very relaxed bike to ride - it has great torque at low revs and will pull away from near death on steep tracks without any drama - neither the 650 or 1000 cc V Stroms are very good at this, but both of these make the T/A look rather pedestrian once you're up in the revs and speed. Its a very good allrounder and while the new one due in Jan/Feb will doubtless have more power it still won't have what a litre bike has.
As far as being on the bargain trail?? - we all want to buy as best we can don't we??. I've spent more than I'd hoped but got a better lower km bike which is already well set up for what I want.
Roll on next week:soon:

Alpha Solo

8th October 2007, 18:35

ZReX12

11th October 2007, 19:02

I've got to say it is one of the best bikes I've owned.

Lots of fun in the gravel and great on road manners, you would have trouble pulling one out of a bog but still the best adventure bike for me.

And it will get you there !

I see you list a 2006 Pampera, which version is it? What do you mainly use it for and do you like it?
Rode an older 280(?) a year or so ago and was impressed (make a very good replacement for my old TLR) but wasn't that keen on the two stroke engine, kind of like the look of the new 450 four stroke as a good trail bike for tight technical stuff but haven't found anyone whose ridden one yet.

Alpha Solo

16th October 2007, 07:56

The Pampera is a classic, great design and super flywheel power for hill climbs etc. I'm not a fan of 2 stroke either but this bike has always reviewed well and I was looking for something suitable to get my wife on to bikes (in my dreams she's a supermotard racer!) The bike weighs 98kg and I can pull it out of a mud bog and lift it off the ground, not many bikes I can do that with. Lindon from DAS had a quick look at the suspension and now it's real good. Keep me posted if you find any reports on the 4 stroke 450 version as I might get one of the engines later down the line...