I'm stuck in two minds regarding owning two bikes versus one bike?

[Woody2]

Over winter my wife has been going on the back of the KTM690 (on the tar) and while she enjoys been on the back of a bike it's fair to say shes not quite enjoying the back of the 690 - Comfort etc. Along with this I'm happy to do more 2up touring of of NZ etc.

I took a buell Uly x12xt for a ride the other day and while she really enjoyed the comfort level I still want to tackle the odd gravel road 2up remote placings/camping eg like Molesworth, Rainbow. So my quandary is this:

Keep the 690 and buy something around the 10-12k mark or sell the 690 and go the whole hog - one bike and spend 20k or thereabouts?

I'm not mechanical so I don't want to buy too old, prefer to go newer and have less maintenance.

Pros and cons both ways I guess! Thoughts appreciated, particularly from people having faced the same dilemma.

Cheers Daryl.

[mattsdakar]

Sounds like you need to go up to a KTM950 for more room and power....cooneyr might be able to help you out there see:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-325939525.htm

[nooles]

I run the 2 bike theory , have the KTM for myself and the BMW for me and the mrs.It costs a shit tonne more but as long as she hasn't got a sore arse when you get to your destination the women folk appear to be alot happier.

[cooneyr]

I've clearly got an agenda (TM add) but I have two bikes. 950S for two up and touring (not that I'll be doing any of that for quite some time hence selling the 950) and a ligher single for the trail/dirt/one up.

Given you've already got pretty much the ultimate trail and adv riding single and the money doesnt seem too larger issue I'd be tempted to get a cheaper second KTM 950/990 adv (ooh look I have one for sale ). Other option is to get a 950 (adv 1up, 2up and touring) and a 450EXC (trail etc) which would be my ultimate garrage. Not going to happen though

Feel free to get in touch if you want to.

Cheers R

P.S. It will have a new chain and sprockets very soon too.

[That looks like fun]

Its a need versus want multiplied by money equation.
The way I look at this issue is "I want 2 bikes". I need 1 at least. Then "can I afford 2 bikes".
The Beemer I ride is totally unsuitable for single track, sand etc . I watch the vids of the boys on the Waiouru ride and mentally see them all helping to pick the bike up and push it to the top of the sand dune. Let alone the effects of that bog hole on a Beemer
However on Gravel Roads she is sweet and tar seal (get out the way there is a Beemer coming through )
Smaller more off road orientated bikes tend to sacrifice long distance comfort, bigger more comfortable bikes tend to need to be picked up more often when the going gets rough
If my wife was keen on going on the back (which thankfully shes not ) and my skill level was such that I could ride single track with her on the back plus wanted a bit of comfort on the road, couple with only being able to afford one bike (did ya follow all that?) My train of thought would be toward a Dakar 650.
So after all that, if you can afford 2 bikes, buy em if you can only afford one, look seriously at what type of use you expect from it. Your skill level as a rider. Your wifes participation level .


Then go buy a Harley

[jafar]

Over winter my wife has been going on the back of the KTM690 (on the tar) and while she enjoys been on the back of a bike it's fair to say shes not quite enjoying the back of the 690 - Comfort etc. Along with this I'm happy to do more 2up touring of of NZ etc.

I took a buell Uly x12xt for a ride the other day and while she really enjoyed the comfort level I still want to tackle the odd gravel road 2up remote placings/camping eg like Molesworth, Rainbow. So my quandary is this:

Keep the 690 and buy something around the 10-12k mark or sell the 690 and go the whole hog - one bike and spend 20k or thereabouts?

I'm not mechanical so I don't want to buy too old, prefer to go newer and have less maintenance.

Pros and cons both ways I guess! Thoughts appreciated, particularly from people having faced the same dilemma.

Cheers Daryl.

I'd be inclined to keep the ktm & find a road bike that is a capable tourer 2 up & leave her behind when you want to go play in the mud & single track stuff.

[Paul in NZ]

Well if youe ARE stuck in two minds, get each one of them a bike?

[Skinny_Birdman]

I've had a similar dilemma in recent times with respect to one bike or two, with the slight difference that my beloved has her own bike, but on the 'prillia I tended to, er, lack mantrol or whatever they call it, and disappeared off into the distance, and of course it wasn't much use offroad. The Transalp is a sweet adventure bike but when you want to have a bit of a play with guys on big road bikes it is pretty limp wristed, and the E07s aren't that flash under hard braking.

The 'prilla was draining my pocket of c$2k per annum in insurance, rego, maintenance and depreciation (for about 2500-3000km of riding) , as well as which the Tranny is getting on a bit. I wondered whether to sell the 'prillia and the Transalp and spend big bikkies on a KTM 950 or similar, but couldn't face not having a proper road bike.

So I have decided to make few adjustments to the line up, and I waved good by to the Tuono yesterday in exchange for a medium sized wad of cash, a Record wood vice and a CBR1000F (trust me, it was the best deal going - and I really wanted the vice). The aim is to swap/sell the 1000 and get an older 400/600 road bike, and use the wad of cash to get a newer Transalp. So if anyone wants a two wheeled couch, or has a 650 Tranny for sale, drop me a line.

[marks]

I'd be inclined to keep the ktm & find a road bike that is a capable tourer 2 up & leave her behind when you want to go play in the mud & single track stuff.

wot he said

unless you are a very boring person one bike is never enough

[NinjaNanna]

Can anything be done to make that seat a bit more comfy? Surely spending a bit of coin on a second custom seat would be better than the ongoing running costs of 2 bikes?

[twisty]

"Plurimis cum ludibriis moriens victor"

[PeteJ]

Beware.

I started down this route in the late 1970s, ended up with 35 narrow-purpose machines.

Now back to 14 or 15, but it's difficult.

[marks]

"Plurimis cum ludibriis moriens victor"

or perhaps

"he who wears out the most toys wins"

[martybabe]

I have two bikes, one for my jollies and one for the Bride to come travelling. I don't wish to put you off because it's great having a couple of bikes in the GGE but the biggest down side to me is not the cost of buying them or buying older bikes(there are some Oldies but Goldies out there) it's the cost and constant hassle of keeping them in good nick (servicing), tyres etc, and keeping them legal. 2x insurance, 4x WOFs, 4x regos annually and on and on and on. There just always seems to be something to sort out or something to pay for.

To surmise then, every biker, in an ideal world, would have umpteen bikes at His/Her disposal but the reality is if your not awash with cash to pay Thieving Nick and every body else and if you don't have a fair bit of free time to look after them, then one bike that meets 'most' of your needs is the way to go.

Good luck.

[pampa]

a big beemer wouldn't make pass the first 2K of Waiouru ... the ruts would prevent it (there was a part that I standed on the top of the rut which was almost at same level of the seat )

I'm up for the 3 bike theory, full off-road, dual purpose, and aanother one cause I like it
maybe something like
* ktm 300
* g650x ch 650
* ktm 950

one day maybe

so my vote goes for +1 on
* ktm690 +
* ktm950