Looking at getting a new bike - Which one?

[XF650]

So buy something with a 21" front wheel.

What size is the Tiger front wheel?

[Ruralman]

What size is the Tiger front wheel?

Latest one is only 17 and soft - see Duck01's comments about bend in the front wheel after their trip to the RAT meeting in Dunedin - prior to that they were 19inch and the 05-06's were also mostly alloy, prior to that they were spoked wheels.
On the gravel roads we were on the 19 inch was fine from the ride I had - where the 21 would have an advantage is where it gets rutted and you need to be able to ride out of and through ruts, and probably in really heavy gravel or sand. Choice of tyres in these circumstances would be pretty important too.
The 19 seemed OK to me for any adventure riding I'm going to be doing but if you want to hit more of the farm tracks rather than gravel roads then the big wheel as well as a lot of other stuff becomes important and probably the big KTM becomes the No1 choice.

[chris]

the big KTM becomes the No1 choice.

The GS/GS Adventure is probably the better bike in my opinion. But you pays your money and takes your choice.

[slimjim]

yup , have a good look at a vstrom 650, i looked at the 1000 , however felt its weight wise the 650 did more, have also fitted the sv front gearbox socket and boy topend no wories, now it takes the speedo off the readings, 210 plus,longer range now by 40km's,feilding to hamilton one tank,to as rev's are lower by 800rpm than std, however it still pulls strong in lower gears, and you can adjust suspenion when you need to,and too its an easy seat to have extra pad's added

[pevs]

Have you considered the Kwaka KLR 650?
The new one looks pretty damned good.. very popular in the states.
The older ones price may drop like a stone too when the new one is released.. which could be good for a buyer.. that's if you can put up with the god awful graphics.

[Aslan]

Hi Scott - looking at your comments about intended use and given the two up factor and long distance touring aspirations; I'd suggest a BMW flat twin. I'm biased of course and acknowledge that at the end of the day - choice is a subjective thing - but I enjoy my 1150GS for the sorts of application you describe.If you can find an 1100GS in good nick - they are highly regarded by some - they have a lower first gear than the 1150 which can be beneficial in off road situations. Cheers Stephen O

[Ruralman]

Hi Scott - looking at your comments about intended use and given the two up factor and long distance touring aspirations; I'd suggest a BMW flat twin. I'm biased of course and acknowledge that at the end of the day - choice is a subjective thing - but I enjoy my 1150GS for the sorts of application you describe.If you can find an 1100GS in good nick - they are highly regarded by some - they have a lower first gear than the 1150 which can be beneficial in off road situations. Cheers Stephen O

I'm really reluctant to dish someone elses bike - but - all the feedback I've had when I've been asking about options for going up in size is that the BMW's are very capable - but they are bloody BORING to ride. It depends obviously on what you want and your stage in life but if you ride for the passion and excitement and the buzz that the machine gives you when you crack it open or something - then ride before you buy

[pc1222]

can't say much about the other bikes but I own a 07 dr650se and the seat sucks. for one I don't think a passenger would find it pleasant after 30 min. of ride time. on the other hand I love the bike for me it is a Swiss army knife of bikes good on and off. as for power how much do you really need @ 70mph it still has good pick up power and I don't think you will need that in the dirt. it basically goes any where I want to and dose not complain one bit.

[Big Dave]

Buell Ulysses does all that as well too.
Tiger is great value for money at the moment.
Don't drink the 21" front wheel kool aid. They are better - not imperative. Particularly for what you describe.

[warewolf]

We will be using it mostly on road trips, but as you all know I love the gravel, apart from that and the odd rough track it wont be used much off-road so to speak.
It must be good enough to comfortably carry us 2 up (incl our gear) for at least a week.

Tiger: good bike, good value, good match to your stated aims.

So what if some have dinged the rims on the new ones? My KTM 640 Adventure runs similar rims to the 950 Adventure; both bikes are renowned for turning the rims into 50 cent pieces, and they are 21" spoked dirt-worthy jobs - so KTM tell us.

As for the 21" thing, I'm quite happy riding my Triumph Trophy on gravel roads and the odd (dry) 4wd track, and it only runs the ubiquitous 17" sprotsbike size wheels and rubber. The 19" front on the older Tigers, wearing semi-adventure pattern rubber can only be better.

The biggest let-down on these bikes is not the wheel, not the tyres, but the stiff road-style suspension and high first gear.

[windboy]

Another tourer/offroadish bike that may suit that particular need is the Honda Varadero. Sort of a Transalp on steroids but clearly more biased to the sealed road (VTR1000 engine detuned for lower rev torque). Cast wheels, combined honda breaks (i've tried them on a VFR800 and was impressed), fuel injection, etc... $18k brand new.

http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/b...elID=190&type=

Good luck, let us know what you get.

Windboy.

[Zukin]

Well I have just sold the XR, so after careful consideration (and after Chris's great advice ) I think I will go with the DR650

In reality I can use it solo, double up if we really have to and we could buy two DR650's for the price of one of the other bikes.

I love the DRZ and I think it will be similar to the DR650 and its intended purpose

Cheers Scott

[Crisis management]

Good choice, Scott, you are immediately entered into the hallowed halls of "Team Drongo racing"


Congratulations

[Ronnie]

Yeah, have a good look at the KLR.

[QMOTO]

Im Lookng into this subject as well and as a serious Adventure bike the Transalp aint anywhere near it, its one of those bikes that doesnt know what it is, its not a good raod bike, its not a good adventure bike, I put it into the stable same as the Ulysses and the Vstrom.
For me a adventure bike should be capbale in the dirt gravel and somewhat on the highway, for me my list is
in this order
KLR650 08 model
DR650
XT660 (new 21 inch front moel)
Dakar (unlikely to expensive

Im favouring the KLR as its cheap and packed with good features, like big tank, big luggage carrying ability, comfort.

I dunno but I reckon Adventure means a bit of highway them no sealed roads for as long as possible...........ie go on a adventure, who knows what you will be riding on, half the list above would struggle with weight and fuel load.

just my thinking at the moment

Oh anyone want to buy a ZXR1400 ???