Choosing an adventure bike!

**Waihou Thumper** · 2nd March 2009, 21:19

Originally Posted by wetdog

I did some googling on the 640, and it does seem a bit full on for me atm. Also I never realised the Dakar 650 was quite so heavy and maybe expensive after a drop. I'm definitely leaning back towards the KLR650 which a few of you seem to like alot too.

Yep thats what I want, and to see some more of this beautiful country, without being scared by the car drivers.

Seems the way to go there....

Here here...

**Padmei** · 2nd March 2009, 21:20

Originally Posted by NZKTM

I thought that too...
BUT.
Having ridden this lovely beast for 26000Km over the last two years I have found it a competitive beast and a forgiving road machine.
Comfortable in fourth gear and the only thing lacking maybe a sixth gear...
We all know that though...

Sorry but the 2 640s I have been priveleged to ride were really really vibey - so much that I couldn't concentrate on riding them - Nice bikes & maybe I should HTFU but couldn't realistically look at doing long road miles when there are smoother more comfortable bikes. They would eat gonzo for breakfast on any surface road or trail but for this boy comfort is an important factor in riding.

**pete376403** · 2nd March 2009, 21:24

Someone else was asking the same thing :
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=93406

and look how that turned out

**Waihou Thumper** · 2nd March 2009, 21:33

Originally Posted by Padmei

maybe I should HTFU but couldn't realistically look at doing long road miles when there are smoother more comfortable bikes.

BUT,I did HTFU and it was worth it....
I guess we find the horse and I broke her in, she was worth it in the end...
BUT, I am happy to climb aboard another mare one day as long as she has a KTM bridle....

**warewolf** · 2nd March 2009, 21:47

Welcome, fellah!

Originally Posted by wetdog

Mostly I want a bike that will cruise on the road at 100kph pretty comfortably, and have the ability to go on gravel/dirt but nothing technical. Also something that is droppable a bit, as I have zero off road riding experience, only smooth tarmac for me so far!

Consider getting a used late-model common something-or-other (eg klr, dr) so that as your experience (and drop count) grows, you won't be wasting too much cash if you want to try something different. The chances are you will get hooked, and want to go more technical as your skills develop... or you'll hate it and stick to the tar. As others have said indirectly, especially for the inexperienced, height and weight are important off-road, more so than horsepower.

KTMs are biased to the more technical end of the spectrum, which makes them a poor match for your stated requirements.

**Waihou Thumper** · 2nd March 2009, 21:55

Originally Posted by warewolf

KTMs are biased to the more technical end of the spectrum, which makes them a poor match for your stated requirements.

Wish I knew that when I went looking for a bike back then...

Anyway, I went in with eyes closed and got suckered by the colour orange and those three letters.....

Looking forward t one day meeting you Colin...

Mark.

Funny enough, I had an issue with electrics last month, spent the rest of the journey kick-starting Katie.
Liked it so much, I thought of doing it all the time.....
Amazing how we can be so reliant on that button...

**warewolf** · 2nd March 2009, 22:37

Originally Posted by NZKTM

Anyway, I went in with eyes closed and got suckered by the colour orange and those three letters.....

You can over-analyse the bike buying process. They'll all pretty much do the job, the compromises are just in different places, so buy the one you lay awake at night dreaming about... (some people value a nice comfortable bottie ooh! err!)

Originally Posted by NZKTM

Funny enough, I had an issue with electrics last month, spent the rest of the journey kick-starting Katie.
Liked it so much, I thought of doing it all the time.....
Amazing how we can be so reliant on that button...

Out playing bike swapsies with mates last year, I was kicking the 525EXC & WF450Fs, just 'cos I could. None of their owners had ever done it...

The button is nicer when you stall at anything more than a standstill, as you can clutch it and thumb the starter while you are still riding the bike.

**Oscar** · 2nd March 2009, 22:47

Originally Posted by NZKTM

Wish I knew that when I went looking for a bike back then...

Anyway, I went in with eyes closed and got suckered by the colour orange and those three letters.....

Looking forward t one day meeting you Colin...

Mark.

Funny enough, I had an issue with electrics last month, spent the rest of the journey kick-starting Katie.
Liked it so much, I thought of doing it all the time.....
Amazing how we can be so reliant on that button...

640's are easier to kick start than most xr600/650's.
If you wanna do real adv riding, a 640E or 640A will take you there (and you'll be first to arrive).

**Waihou Thumper** · 2nd March 2009, 23:01

Originally Posted by Oscar

640's are easier to kick start than most xr600/650's.
If you wanna do real adv riding, a 640E or 640A will take you there (and you'll be first to arrive).

And you have the bruises to show for it. Crash test dummy KTM....lol, sometimes....
The thing is, it behaves like a trail bike so you ride it like one, then what happens?....

**TLDV8** · 2nd March 2009, 23:53

Originally Posted by wetdog

Any comments of the new KLR650 vs and older F650 Dakar would be welcome. I've none to test ride here in Whakatane which is a shame

Thanks,

Joe

As far as the early Dakar,i believe it is carbureted and it took to around 2005 to iron out any problems.
Out of those two bikes based on your intended use,the KLR would have no problems,range is around the same,KLR might be a little lighter and buy/resale seems to be good.
Keeping it simple helps but test rides might be the decider either way you go,the DRZ400 might be a contender too.

The reality is a 1974 Suzuki TS250 would do what you are asking,it could also still do what some might regard as adventure riding.
A lot of it is just blowing smoke as a TS would.

**NordieBoy** · 3rd March 2009, 06:34

Originally Posted by Oscar

If you wanna do real adv riding, a 640E or 640A will take you there (and you'll be first to arrive).

So no good for adv photography then

**Oscar** · 3rd March 2009, 06:44

Originally Posted by NZKTM

The thing is, it behaves like a trail bike so you ride it like one, then what happens?....

Um...you go very fast?

**Oscar** · 3rd March 2009, 06:47

Originally Posted by TLDV8

As far as the early Dakar,i believe it is carbureted and it took to around 2005 to iron out any problems.
Out of those two bikes based on your intended use,the KLR would have no problems,range is around the same,KLR might be a little lighter and buy/resale seems to be good.
Keeping it simple helps but test rides might be the decider either way you go,the DRZ400 might be a contender too.

The reality is a 1974 Suzuki TS250 would do what you are asking,it could also still do what some might regard as adventure riding.
A lot of it is just blowing smoke as a TS would.

Err...the early model (to 1999) F650 was carburreted, the 2000 - 2007 ones were fuel injected.

I had a 2002 F650 Dakar, and frankly I'd take the TS250 anyday...

**TLDV8** · 3rd March 2009, 19:41

Originally Posted by Oscar

Err...the early model (to 1999) F650 was carburreted, the 2000 - 2007 ones were fuel injected.

I had a 2002 F650 Dakar, and frankly I'd take the TS250 anyday...

I stand corrected then.