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Thread: Looking at getting a new bike - Which one?

  1. #16
    Join Date
    18th January 2005 - 11:04
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    Yamaha DT230
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    Quote Originally Posted by chris View Post
    So buy something with a 21" front wheel.
    What size is the Tiger front wheel?

  2. #17
    Join Date
    19th June 2006 - 10:00
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    KTM 990 Adv, Gas Gas EC300,
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    Quote Originally Posted by XF650 View Post
    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.

  3. #18
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    16th February 2005 - 11:00
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ruralman View Post
    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.

  4. #19
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    29th March 2006 - 18:06
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    XJR 1300
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    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
    .xjr....."What's with all the lights"..officer..

  5. #20
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    26th November 2006 - 18:02
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    '00 VFR 800
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    Christchurch
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    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.
    ANZAC Day Adventures <<Archive of Alpine Adventures

  6. #21
    Join Date
    12th July 2005 - 21:02
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    BMW R1200GS hexhead.Suzuki DR650K6,CT110
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    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

  7. #22
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    19th June 2006 - 10:00
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    Quote Originally Posted by Aslan View Post
    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

  8. #23
    Join Date
    29th March 2007 - 02:04
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    2007 dr650se
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    ny
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    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.

  9. #24
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    3rd January 2005 - 11:00
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    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.

  10. #25
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    15th August 2004 - 17:52
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zukin View Post
    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.
    Cheers,
    Colin

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve McQueen
    All racers I know aren't in it for the money. They race because it's something inside of them... They're not courting death. They're courting being alive.

  11. #26
    Join Date
    30th March 2006 - 16:34
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    2001 BMW F650GS Dakar
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    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.

  12. #27
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    15th June 2006 - 21:15
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    2006 F650GS
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    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

    Dusty Butt 1000km - We knocked the bugger off what next?

  13. #28
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    15th February 2006 - 15:25
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    Good choice, Scott, you are immediately entered into the hallowed halls of "Team Drongo racing"


    Congratulations

  14. #29
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    18th March 2007 - 16:14
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    wr250r
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    christchurch
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    Yeah, have a good look at the KLR.

  15. #30
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    15th January 2007 - 10:58
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    1987 CBR600F
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    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 ???



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