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

[dino3310]

another option would be to get her a bike

[twisty]

or perhaps

"he who wears out the most toys wins"

Your just picking on me cuz I was to scaredy to take my GS to Waiouru...

[clint640]

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

That combo also has the advantage of being doable on one rego with some creative stickering

another option would be to get her a bike

That also works really well. A nice 250 adv machine would be cheaper than a 950 too.

Cheers
Clint

[bart]

When I first met my missus a decade ago, I scared the shit outa her on the back of my ZX9R. She hasn't been on a bike since.

That's why I now only have 1 bike in the shed. It's a DR650. The bike that (almost) does everything.

Whatever you do, don't sell the 690.

[Night Falcon]

keep the 690...buy a 950..... live long and prosper

[DR650gary]

another option would be to get her a bike

Wot he said.

We have a DR each, 650 and 200 plus I have the ZRX1200 and she gets to go on her 650 Raptor. Yes it's a pain in the arse insurance wise, rego wise, wof wise, but who cares. Gotta waste your money on something and the MP's have got the travel market and I'm too old for drugs

Other than tyres and oil and filters, no maintenance costs....They're not KTM's ,

[Oscar]

Other than tyres and oil and filters, no maintenance costs....They're not KTM's ,

Famous last words.
Have you listened carefully to third gear lately...

[Padmei]

Forget about getting another bike & just get me a new mig welder you spoilt prick.

Wait - and a record bench vice

[Woody2]

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.

Thanks Ryan, I have a feeling the S model might be a bit tall for me but worth thinking checking, cheers.

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

Cheers a lot of advice to go two bikes....

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.

Pondered getting just a road bike also - wouldn't mind doing the out of the way places at the end of the gravel road with the wife.

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

[Woody2]

wot he said

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

Nice - and yeah I do think I'm boring at times

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?

Personally I think loading up the 690 with 2 plus stuff would be one bridge too far. The seat could of course be sorted.

"Plurimis cum ludibriis moriens victor"

Nice quote, thank god for google!

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.

You're a rock star, how many are registered and warranted etc?

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.

Cheers, fair point

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

Cheers Pampa

[Woody2]

another option would be to get her a bike

Not sure on that, her father used to call her bumble as a kid, with good reason too

That combo also has the advantage of being doable on one rego with some creative stickering


That also works really well. A nice 250 adv machine would be cheaper than a 950 too.

Cheers
Clint

Mmmmnnn cheers Clint

When I first met my missus a decade ago, I scared the shit outa her on the back of my ZX9R. She hasn't been on a bike since.

That's why I now only have 1 bike in the shed. It's a DR650. The bike that (almost) does everything.
Whatever you do, don't sell the 690.

thanks Bart - I might have been a bit quick over the rimutakas a few weeks ago...

keep the 690...buy a 950..... live long and prosper

Cheers Night Falcon

[JellyBellyKelly]

i got sick of being pillon so got my own bike

get two bikes. one road, one off road.

(been trying to get my man to get a dirt bike as well as his road bike. although we did test ride the dual purpose BMW years ago and that was nice being on the back)

[Woody2]

Forget about getting another bike & just get me a new mig welder you spoilt prick.

Wait - and a record bench vice

Padmei, jealously is such an ugly emotion. I'm sure your "business" will buy you a new mig welder. It's like your company van, sorry I mean bike.

[Padmei]

Padmei, jealously is such an ugly emotion. I'm sure your "business" will buy you a new mig welder. It's like your company van, sorry I mean bike.

Make sure you get the other bike before xmas as we're coming over after the bach & I'll need something to ride. Oh yeah & luv from us to the blond tart

[tri boy]

another option would be to get her a bike

Works for kanny
Ya can carry more stuff on two bikes also.
Match the rim sizes, and tyre swapping is also an option.