Bikes for adventure touring?

[CRM]

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

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

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

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

[pete376403]

KLR650?
DR650?

Easy to live with, cheap, fairly reliable, (KLRs doohickey, DRs 3rd gear)
DR is probably better off road, KLR is definitely better on-road but both can handle all roads within reason

[CRM]

Yeah I would have included KLR's but none around at that sort of price at present. I don't want to pay more than around $5ish K as I might as well just keep the XR and get a cheap tourer as well. But as my wife's Hyundai has 300,000km on it I'd feel a bit mean owning two bikes while she has to drive that. Priorities...

[NordieBoy]

Pre '08 KLR?
More tourerery than the DR but still go anywhere.


People will point and laugh though.

[nallac]

I want that R100Gs.......

[JATZ]

Ahhh shit....... here we go again

Get the one you can afford and which feels best for you

Edit.... I'd go for the R100 for touring, already got panniers and better for long distance IMHO

[dino3310]

Hi crm, i was wondering if that was your ride, i got it on my watch list, very nice.

this topics an ongoing one, comes down to price and personal preferance no matter what we say on here, only advice i can give without getting into the KLR/DR debate is test ride as much as you can and go from there.

i can garranty your gonna miss some of the fun factor when the XR goes,

[CRM]

Hi crm, i was wondering if that was your ride, i got it on my watch list, very nice.

this topics an ongoing one, comes down to price and personal preferance no matter what we say on here, only advice i can give without getting into the KLR/DR debate is test ride as much as you can and go from there.

i can garranty your gonna miss some of the fun factor when the XR goes,

Thanks for advice everyone. I really wasn't trying to open up the DR/KLR wound all over again.. I really just wanted some feedback on the bikes I listed that were a little rarer - like the Tenere - what are they like on the road? Are old GS's asking for trouble or good value? What are those Pegaso's like?

What is a well setup DR650 like for distance?

I guess at the end of the day once I sell my XR and I'm ready to do trip I'll look around and just see what's out there and it might be something completly different

[JATZ]

Not sure about that model Tenere but we have struggled a bit to get parts cheap for mrsJatz 86 tenere, I think the model you linked to had overheating issues, but I could be wrong, BTW I've seen that bike in the flesh and it looks O.K.
The F650's we had were a bit of a mixed bag, hers had 124000k's and ran like a swiss watch, mine had about 75000k's and had some issues. Both were o.k.on long days but started to get a wee bit uncomfortable after 500+ k's, even sooner for a pillion.Both were alright on gravel and light 4wd tracks, but a bit heavy and had a wideish tank and 19in front, I'm 6'2 and found it a bit small.
Pegaso has the same motor and is probly a very similar bike, quiet and capable.
I guess the canyon would be about the same again,but with less power. Parts could be an issue and I think would be pricey, but I could be wrong
DR. simple, capable, T.A. does some big k's on his so I guess he finds it comfy enough and there's heaps around.
Also try a klr if you can, nice bikes, better range than a DR, more comfortable
better wind protection, just ugly as sin

[Crisis management]

You need a 990 Adventure, trust me on this.....

[Box'a'bits]

You need a 990 Adventure, trust me on this.....

I'd get in quick CRM. Crisis Management appears to be offering you his 990 Adventure for your budget $5.5k....

[gav24]

Easy!!! not really.
BUT....
I would go for a pre 98 KLR
my mate just bought a late 80's one in really great, low K's, condition for less than 2k!!! I know think what 5K could get
Why the KLR?
For what you want and compared to my 2 year old DR it has a way bigger tank, a screen, more comfortable seat, solid rear rack, also has liquid cooling for quieter and more consistent running temp.
With front and rear disc brakes just like the DR, makes you realise just how far ahead of the game Kawasaki were with the KLR in 1986(?) Pretty capable off road as well, way better than they have any right to, especially if the big tanks not full to the brim

Finally though - They are UUUUUGLY

[Dakar]

My penny's worth!!
Try out as many bikes as you can, you will know the bike when you see it, but most of the time it comes down to availabilty and whether your dollar can stretch that far........ be wary though this tme of year people are starting to think about the Xmas hols, and adventure bike prices seem to go up quite a bit getting into late october and november.

id blow out the Pegasus, the Cagiva and swap the F650 GS to the Dakar model, much better off road, IMO, and with the new 800 GS out, you might be able to pick one up for that price,

good luck on your search

[dino3310]

You need a 990 Adventure, trust me on this.....

you had to get that one in didnt ya.

Hey mate 5.5k will get you a long way, theres always a bargain between 4 - 6k

[Transalper]

As JATZ said I do enjoy the big trips on my DR. Done a fair few 1000km days on the black top and some big Shingle/Black top mix rides.
The missus does the big sealed road runs with me on her DR650 too.
Our seats have been tweaked to help the butts and we added small screens, big tanks etc. as part of our touring setup.
From what I read you may be wanting a more comfortable ride but as I'm sure you're aware the more comfortable you go the heavier and less XR like you'll get.