Hyperspace,what bike for adventure trails, tracks, gravel and tarmac

[navek]

Hi All knowledgable bike types
Having recently upskilled to novice in trail riding skills in last 11 months from ziltch to able to get there, finally got bike suited to my personailty/skills KTM 400, (great bike)for weekend trails but now wish for more 'Adventure' type bike for comfort over longer and longer km's on road and gravel but still capable in trails. Most importantly short legs make this challenging. My list BMW 650 GS great seat height lovely on road, bad small front wheel low ground clearance, KTM 690 too tall, KTM 990 too big & tall?, Yamaha Tenere very tall, need about 880cm seat height for ease of road use ie stop and not fall off. Value any ideas experiences and suggestions. Have sat on BMW F 800 GS and manageable height but weight? I am 5'5" 70 kgs but very happy with it! But in the older age group!

[Crisis management]

Welcome to the world of compromise.
If you are just starting off in adventure riding I would suggest something cheap & cheerful like the DR650 or KLR650 you can crash & thrash until you figure out whether it is something more road or off road capable.

Otherwise, out of that list it's the 690 and as long as you can get one foot down you will be fine. If you are riding the 400EXC happily at trail level (it's heavy trail bike) you won't have a problem with the 690.

Good luck....(try refining your thinking on exactly where you expect to take this adventure bike)

[NordieBoy]

Sounds like a lowered DR650 may be ideal.

[navek]

Thanks for the quick start. Been on recent organised adv rides with Mike Britton, found the long road/gravel sections tiresome on the 400, and hope to do longer adventure K's later. Looking at the KLR.

[marty]

Hypermotard 1100 with all-terrain tyres?

[Crisis management]

Thanks for the quick start. Been on recent organised adv rides with Mike Britton, found the long road/gravel sections tiresome on the 400, and hope to do longer adventure K's later. Looking at the KLR.

Which rides? (it gives us a feel for what your on about....and we're curious)

[navek]

Will google that, a bit out there?

[navek]

Will look at that, Thanks

[navek]

I set out to be able to ride rural any place, anytime, love the backblocks but need the challenging in roads through farm, bush and forest tracks. Also maybe any country? I have lots to do, wife willing!

[dino3310]

this http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-268975312.htm or http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-268090854.htm i would say an XR 600/650 or KTM525 would be awesome but the seat is very high

[veny]

It doesn't look like this one sold.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=265753037

Add some crash bars & lowering links and it might just be your ride.

I'm an aging gent like yourself and have no regrets getting one.
The bigger and heavier the bike, the less risks you take, IMO.

[thepom]

I,m with Nordieboy...klr has too much plastic to break....and of course the doohickey....lowered suzi dr would be ideal...

[george formby]

My formative years on bikes were aboard 2 smoke 125's & 250's. I used to ride mile's on & off road & never found the bikes lacking. Nowadays all that is really available is the DT 230, low seat height, soft suspension but a great tractable motor. If you are not looking to leap off big jumps it could be worth considering. Quick on the road & very manageable off road. The downside is they are as rare as hen's teeth.

[veny]

I,m with Nordieboy...klr has too much plastic to break....and of course the doohickey....lowered suzi dr would be ideal...

$450 motech crashbars for plastic.
Doohickey fixed on 08 and later. Perhaps replace the spring at a later date.
http://www.topgunmotorcycles.com/200...klr_page3.html

[NordieBoy]

A lowered DR feels like a 250 until you pick it up out of the mud.

I'd try to have a go on a KLR and a normal and lowered DR.