Adventure bike recommendations

[Moki]

Me thinks that BMW came out of the deal quite nicely, considering the volumes of GS sold post-LWR. The guy at KTM calling the shots simply didn't have the nuts at the time, and let a massive marketing opportunity slip. Shame, as the KTM was obviously the more suitable bike.

[Taz]

F650 dakars would have been better than the 1150's IMO.

[centaurus]

F650 dakars would have been better than the 1150's IMO.

F650's would have definitely been easier to handle but given the enormous amount of luggage they had, I don't think the bikes would have coped. In LWD they managed to destroy the rear shocks even on the big beemers.

[Oscar]

F650 dakars would have been better than the 1150's IMO.

F650 - 189kg with ?51hp.

I'm not sure the power to weight ratio would be in the F650's favour.

[NordieBoy]

In LWD they managed to destroy the rear shocks even on the big beemers.

Ohlins they bought off the internet I hear.

[centaurus]

Ohlins they bought off the internet I hear.

I didn't research the subject, but according to them the ohlins they picked were supposed to be sturdier than the stock ones.

[NordieBoy]

I didn't research the subject, but according to them the ohlins they picked were supposed to be sturdier than the stock ones.

It was a tongue in cheek dig at Robert Taylor

[Padmei]

I didn't research the subject, but according to them the ohlins they picked were supposed to be sturdier than the stock ones.

I raised this point last year or so & the responses agred that any shock with that much weight going over the corrugations would have been rooted. I was still surprised thay went thru 3 shocks.

BMW are still cashing in on that programme. I wonder what would have happened if KTM stepped up to the plate - would their manufacturing been able to match demand or would it just mean they would be super expensive with a long waiting list?

[warewolf]

BMW are still cashing in on that programme. I wonder what would have happened if KTM stepped up to the plate - would their manufacturing been able to match demand or would it just mean they would be super expensive with a long waiting list?

Noooooooooooooo! I'm not riding a Jedi bike!!

[centaurus]

...
BMW are still cashing in on that programme. I wonder what would have happened if KTM stepped up to the plate - would their manufacturing been able to match demand or would it just mean they would be super expensive with a long waiting list?

Or, a third option would be that they might have broken down badly and loose their reputation. I know I might be flamed for this, but looking at statistics, very few "round the world" travelers use KTMs.

They are, no question about it, very powerful and competent machines but might not be so suitable for very long tours (I'm not talking about rally's here) where reliability, long life for all parts and sheer indestructibility are required.

That might have been part of the reason KTM didn't want to give them the bikes.

[JATZ]

Or, a third option would be that they might have broken down badly and loose their reputation. I know I might be flamed for this, but looking at statistics, very few "round the world" travelers use KTMs.

They are, no question about it, very powerful and competent machines but might not be so suitable for very long tours (I'm not talking about rally's here) where reliability, long life for all parts and sheer indestructibility are required.

That might have been part of the reason KTM didn't want to give them the bikes.

Uh Oh

You are trying to start a fight aren't you

[JATZ]

Noooooooooooooo! I'm not riding a Jedi bike!!

Jedi.......

coming to a town near you



sorry... as you were

[Padmei]

Or, a third option would be that they might have broken down badly and loose their reputation. I know I might be flamed for this, but looking at statistics, very few "round the world" travelers use KTMs.

They are, no question about it, very powerful and competent machines but might not be so suitable for very long tours (I'm not talking about rally's here) where reliability, long life for all parts and sheer indestructibility are required.

That might have been part of the reason KTM didn't want to give them the bikes.

Shhhh... they'll hear you... you're not supposed to say anything bad about the you know whats

[warewolf]

looking at statistics, very few "round the world" travelers use KTMs.

In absolute terms, maybe so, but comparatively there are very few KTMs at all. There's probably a greater percentage of KTM's total machines used for such trips than any other brand.

It doesn't take much research to find lots of instances of Hondas, BMWs and other allegedly "bullet proof, reliable as an axe" bikes inexplicably crapping out in a big way. As I wrote in the recent past, we've hosted quite a few RTW travellers and most have had major bike issues. XTs, R100s, F650s, XRVs...

[pete376403]

How would KTMs perform on low grade petro-swill sold in third-world countries? Lower performance engines might be better here - DRs, KLRs, XTs - old understressed designs, which can be repaired on the side of the road, steel frames that can be welded. You'd pick the bike for the worst it might encounter, not the best.