Which bike for Jimmy?

[dino3310]

sounds like you need an XR600r Jim

[CRM]

sounds like you need an XR600r Jim

Thinking the same thing. Heaps of torque, really does the business off road, but you can ride them all day (12+ hours over 800km was my biggest day on mine). And if tall isn't an issue thats +1, just the kick start issue (or go for an XR650L which is pretty much the same but has electric start and more weight).

[jim.cox]

sounds like you need an XR600r Jim

I had one of them - Did not do it for me - the fun factor just wasnt there - found it was too much fat-pig off road and boring on-road

[monchopper]

Sell ya ducati and get a new FE570 with a set of supermoto rims for some road work, the 1 bike quiver. Those things rock. Rip on the trails and I mean really really rip more rip than most are comfortable with, goes faster than you're comfortable with on the road. Will sit at 120 all day if you're ass can cope.

Not great for real adventure riding but for adventure lite the ducks nuts.

The technology is into it's 3rd season and as far as I know no real issues.

My next bike without question. Please wife pretty please

[jim.cox]

Sell ya ducati and get a new FE570

Rule no 1 : Never sell a Ducati
Rule no 2 : Always obey rule no 1

Hadn't considered the FE - nice thought - but probably beyond what the Minister of Finance will let me spend

Motard rims are wasted on me - I'm used to riding tall skinny tyres and I could never be bothered swapping the wheels - I'll just run dual purpose tyres on what ever I get

[Eddieb]

Sell ya ducati and get a new FE570 ....

Not great for real adventure riding but for adventure lite the ducks nuts.

I'm interested in your definition of 'real adventure riding'

Is the FE570 'not great for real adventure riding' cause it's too fat and heavy, or because it's not comfortable to do big road days on it and then ride some gravel/tracks?

[Taz]

If it's anything like my 525 then it's great once you are in the vicinity of the adventure ride but painful on the 6 hour ride there and back. Plus the motors are built light and would possibly struggle to return more than 20000kms without replacing certain components. Mines now done 10000kms with no issues apert from a waterpump seal kit. Anything further than the Waikato I tended to trailer it. The 640A is just as good as the 525 in the adventure sense but will comfortably do the road miles to and from.
Taz.

[monchopper]

I'm interested in your definition of 'real adventure riding'

Is the FE570 'not great for real adventure riding' cause it's too fat and heavy, or because it's not comfortable to do big road days on it and then ride some gravel/tracks?

My idea of 'real' adventure riding
95% big bike ridable roads 5% DB challenge stage type terrain.

The FE570 isn't ideal for this as it's got an enduro style ass killing seat. At 114 kg (same as the 525exc) it's definitely not fat or heavy. I long day in side winds would be a ball-ache. In fact it feels lighter to ride than the 530exc and more like the 450exc (but with better ergos)
Where as my definition of Adventure-lite would be something where the main focus is trail riding but some gravel and sealed roads are necessary to get to the good stuff.

[monchopper]

If it's anything like my 525 then it's great once you are in the vicinity of the adventure ride but painful on the 6 hour ride there and back. Plus the motors are built light and would possibly struggle to return more than 20000kms without replacing certain components. Mines now done 10000kms with no issues apert from a waterpump seal kit. Anything further than the Waikato I tended to trailer it. The 640A is just as good as the 525 in the adventure sense but will comfortably do the road miles to and from.
Taz.

It's like your 525 as far as maintenance intervals go and as far as pain on a long road section. But not like in terms of power and handling.