Originally Posted by
Gremlin
On a basic level, the bigger the bike, the better the tourer, stock at least. Seat is more comfortable, more space for pillion, luggage etc.
Both the 690 and 990 require tubes for the wheels, the 1090 onwards is tubeless (unless you fit tubeless kits etc) - deal breaker to me as I can't be arsed.
You can kinda soldier through an uncomfortable tour to get to the good bits (or mod), on the other hand, trying to get a bus through a goat track is always going to be tricky. I would get the bike that most suits your aspirations for technical riding, ie, doing Grade 4 or 5 will need the 690, or even lighter. As mentioned, its the stopping/turning and tricky stuff where the weight catches up. All good power sliding out of corners through gears, then you suddenly realise the amount of momentum you have to stop on the sketchy terrain up ahead (or it steps sideways so fast you think it's swapping ends).
Bear in mind you're not the smallest fella though, so comfortable ergonomics is going to be important.
Actually you raise a bloody good point that I hadn't even considered yet - tube vs tubeless tyres. Mundane, but a very practical thing when out adventure riding. Your old 950 (or was it a 990?) was actually the first adventure bike that I road, and I remember thinking at the time that it did feel quite large - although I was coming off a GSXR600 at the time. I do plan on going on some pretty rough, tight trails, hence why thinking the 690 size is most appropriate. I was also thinking about an enduro prepped 500EXC for the same reason. Best thing will be to ride a couple at the end of lock down and see.
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