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

**Woody2** · 15th November 2010, 19:46

Originally Posted by Padmei

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

Just speaking to her on the phone, shes in Palmy and she thinks you're funny. Say hi to the whanu!!! How long you over for, do you need a accommodation etc - we are pondering going south?

**Padmei** · 15th November 2010, 20:05

PM sent so I won't clog your thread.

I'd try a 2ndhand nearly new ten 660 out. Those seats are nice - prob not the most powerful but shit have you seen how many cops are around lately?

Or a Vstrom - easy, noice & well proven.

Still if you're an orange man then that kinda seals the deal really

**Woodman** · 15th November 2010, 20:07

This is why i got the klr. The plan was to have one bike to ride mostly on road with a bit of gravel occasionally. Was going to keep shiny tyres on it and take Mrs Woodman for the odd ride.

Well after a few practice rides by myself and Mrs woodman inspecting the damage afterwards she now won't go on the back for some strange reason.

There is no simple answer but my 2 cents is keep the 690 and get a road bike as well.

Or an airhead

**junkmanjoe** · 15th November 2010, 20:11

i got a tenere 660 id sell if ya twist my arm........... wouldn't take much.....ouch that hurts....

JMJ

**warewolf** · 15th November 2010, 20:27

Originally Posted by Woody2

I took a buell Uly x12xt for a ride the other day and while she really enjoyed the comfort level I still want to tackle the odd gravel road 2up remote placings/camping eg like Molesworth, Rainbow. So my quandary is this:

Keep the 690 and buy something around the 10-12k mark or sell the 690 and go the whole hog - one bike and spend 20k or thereabouts?

Calling Big Dave to the black courtesy phone... Big Dave you have a call.

My vote is two bikes. Unfortunately two-up touring comfort is the opposite end of the spectrum vs serious dirt kit. Adventure bikes straddle that range, but none can span end-to-end: hence the split to cover each end.

Although my wife would prefer only a 350km-ish half-day on the Triumph Trophy or Tiger, she'd do double that if we had to. Your 690E has less vibes but a worse seat than my 640A - and my wife will only do 90mins on it, tops.

Gravel roads can be done on a road bike, but a litre-class soft-roader will be better for two-up. eg TDM900, V-Strom, Varadear-o-dear-o-dear, BMW R1x00GS, Tiger - that sort of thing. They are often rated as tops for pillions, better than some more road-focussed sports-touring bikes - and with lower running costs with modest tyres. Almost all the mid-capacity bikes will be a squeeze in comparison, and too similar to your 690E to be worth it, IMHO.

**NordieBoy** · 15th November 2010, 21:46

Originally Posted by Woody2

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

Fat bum, wears yellow 'n black and it hurts when she smacks you in the teeth at 100kph?

**Woody2** · 15th November 2010, 22:27

Originally Posted by Woodman

This is why i got the klr. The plan was to have one bike to ride mostly on road with a bit of gravel occasionally. Was going to keep shiny tyres on it and take Mrs Woodman for the odd ride.

Well after a few practice rides by myself and Mrs woodman inspecting the damage afterwards she now won't go on the back for some strange reason.

There is no simple answer but my 2 cents is keep the 690 and get a road bike as well.

Or an airhead

Thanks Woodman

**Woody2** · 15th November 2010, 22:34

Originally Posted by warewolf

Calling Big Dave to the black courtesy phone... Big Dave you have a call.

My vote is two bikes. Unfortunately two-up touring comfort is the opposite end of the spectrum vs serious dirt kit. Adventure bikes straddle that range, but none can span end-to-end: hence the split to cover each end.

Although my wife would prefer only a 350km-ish half-day on the Triumph Trophy or Tiger, she'd do double that if we had to. Your 690E has less vibes but a worse seat than my 640A - and my wife will only do 90mins on it, tops.

Gravel roads can be done on a road bike, but a litre-class soft-roader will be better for two-up. eg TDM900, V-Strom, Varadear-o-dear-o-dear, BMW R1x00GS, Tiger - that sort of thing. They are often rated as tops for pillions, better than some more road-focussed sports-touring bikes - and with lower running costs with modest tyres. Almost all the mid-capacity bikes will be a squeeze in comparison, and too similar to your 690E to be worth it, IMHO.

Thanks Colin - With all the excellent advice I've received I'm leaning towards two bikes and you are right re: the seat - on the 690 I'm lucky if my better half would go an hour. When you refer to the tiger do you mean the 955 or the 1050

Cheers Daryl.

**Woody2** · 15th November 2010, 22:36

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

Fat bum, wears yellow 'n black and it hurts when she smacks you in the teeth at 100kph?

I'll show her this post, Cheers Daryl.

**jafar** · 16th November 2010, 01:05

Originally Posted by Woody2

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.

I have a couple of big road bikes(one is for sale too) & have no problem with gravel roads on either of them. It is once you take them off a formed road that they become interesting.
Depends on how far off the beaten track you want to take the wife to get to the out of the way places

**LBD** · 16th November 2010, 03:12

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

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

If you are stuck in two minds you are Tasmanian...

But hey I got two, both are for sale to be replaced with an MTS...why?

1.5 times the insurance
2 x rego
2 x depreciation
and for a similar reason to you...She I

wants to ride with me, but gets serious numbum after 1000km on the back of either the monster or 1098....

**DR650gary** · 16th November 2010, 06:39

Originally Posted by Oscar

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

Hell, you could rebuild 3rd gear twice and still spend less than the annual cost on an orange roughy

You have to factor in initial outlay as well.

1 KTM http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-316940126.htm

or Decent road bike and a DR or KLR and still have a couple of years reg in the back pocket.

Does depend on your expectations though.

Factor in the number of times you want 2 up.

**NordieBoy** · 16th November 2010, 08:23

Originally Posted by LBD

She I

wants to ride with me, but gets serious numbum after 1000km on the back of either the monster or 1098....

Don't blame her really.

**XF650** · 16th November 2010, 09:11

A couple of guys down here who have 990's also have 2nd bikes - one a 690, the other a XR650. They were both glad they were on the latter bikes when we hit snow through Dansey's.......