Adventure bikes on Trade Me

**Night Falcon** · 4th August 2012, 17:40

Originally Posted by Waihou Thumper

Marty - I would pay that, well actually maybe $6000 for it. The DR would not need as much maintenance in two years as the Husky OR a KTM
and on a plus, the DR can be ridden everywhere rather than transported on the back of a trailer to and from a ride...

I hear ya but its still 222kg wet (aledged) & 50hp verses 161kg (aledged) 57hp with better handling, supension, grunt. Maintenace is a misnomer, you have to maintain every bike (or suffer the consequences). Personally I'm not that keen on going back to 200kg plus adventure bike, just too heavy for my meager riding talents...but I'd go for a 2nd hand low klm 690 over either of em, call me a ktm nutter, but i find the power, handling and suspension of the 690 toooo irresistable!
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-496823592.htm

**JATZ** · 4th August 2012, 19:22

Originally Posted by Night Falcon

I hear ya but its still 222kg wet (aledged) & 50hp verses 161kg (aledged) 57hp with better handling, supension, grunt. Maintenace is a misnomer, you have to maintain every bike (or suffer the consequences). Personally I'm not that keen on going back to 200kg plus adventure bike, just too heavy for my meager riding talents...but I'd go for a 2nd hand low klm 690 over either of em, call me a ktm nutter, but i find the power, handling and suspension of the 690 toooo irresistabable

Horses for courses I guess, but I know which one I'd rather own

**dino3310** · 4th August 2012, 19:56

Originally Posted by Waihou Thumper

Marty - I would pay that, well actually maybe $6000 for it. The DR would not need as much maintenance in two years as the Husky OR a KTM
and on a plus, the DR can be ridden everywhere rather than transported on the back of a trailer to and from a ride...

if i had the cash i wouldnt hesitate on the 800, chuck some hard panniers on and she'd be a perfect adv tourer, i had a blat on one a way back and on the gravel it handled mint, well balanced bike, it handled better than the 750 all though the 750 was 20kg lighter held more gas and better looking i reckon that last run of 800's was/is still a great modern tourer. (10bikekid would attest to that me thinks as he's had both)

Originally Posted by JATZ

Horses for courses I guess, but I know which one I'd rather own

too true mate, i know what saddle i'd be on for a tour of the south

**mikemike104** · 16th August 2012, 21:20

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-480596493.htm

OK, here it is. I've searched & researched, talked to a couple owner's I know and made endless comparisons via the internet.. just not ridden one (YET). I'm pretty sure I want a Transalp.

Am going to Honda Hamilton this Saturday morning to sit on a 700 and check seating position, I assume they must be similar?

This bike's intended use shall be to get me to work and back daily so mostly a tarmac machine but I'd like to do some (light) adventuring, gravel & slow dirt as time and wallet allow.. and some 2up work as needed.

Reason's for wanting a Transalp over F650, DR650 & KLR650 or KTM etc etc>

Capacity, not to be larger than a 650 at this stage, I'm upgrading from a GPX250..

V-twin I believe shall be better than single cylinder 2up.

Honda reliability / parts pricing and availability, query attached link.. would anyone be concerned regarding this bikes kilometres?
Seller is Cycletreads in Auckland, will do Giva carrier and two panniers for an extra $200, seems like a sweet deal.
Seller advises no maintenance history available.. seems odd but on the other hand if you were running a rental company with X number of bikes to maintain perhaps you wouldn't hold onto every invoice as I do..
Anyone had any experiences with ex rentals?

Thoughts on price at 6K, this is the limit of my budget.

Replies appreciated.

Mike

**Eddieb** · 16th August 2012, 21:44

If I was in the same market as you with the same requirements it's what I would by. I rode a 650 briefly a while ago and thought the ergonomics were brilliant, and I've seen them go places you wouldn't expect, sometimes easier than than a single due to the torque.

**dino3310** · 16th August 2012, 21:52

me the same as Eddie...
i never really liked them much, but after a cruisy weekend away to Whangamomona and a sore butt on the XR it made me think of how comfy the transalp would have been and the extra luggage it could have carried. and after a short ride on the 650 not long after convinced me it would have been the better bike for that trip and a few others ive been on.
Nice alrounder with loads of usable torque

**mikemike104** · 16th August 2012, 21:54

Cheers guys, I'll go up Sunday and have a geez.

**dino3310** · 16th August 2012, 22:07

Originally Posted by mikemike104

[url]Capacity, not to be larger than a 650 at this stage, I'm upgrading from a GPX250..

Seller advises no maintenance history available.. seems odd but on the other hand if you were running a rental company with X number of bikes to maintain perhaps you wouldn't hold onto every invoice as I do..
Anyone had any experiences with ex rentals?

Thoughts on price at 6K, this is the limit of my budget.

Replies appreciated.

Mike

i dont think the 700 is any bigger except the cubes
I would have thought the rental company would have kept the service records,
maybe a compression test could be on the cards or maybe a mechanic mate to have a looksey,
if it has had a proper service history the motor should be pretty good as they have a good reputation for longetivity, but then ive met people who thrash rentals.
Creepers had his for a few years he might have some good info for ya http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php/16345-Creeper

**Transalper** · 17th August 2012, 10:16

Only major for me was check the wear on splines the front sprocket shaft.
It's a full tear down to replace the shaft and they are prone to wearing the splines off if not looked after properly with proper chain tension adjustment and OEM front sprockets.

My 1996 rims are rotting a bit on the inside but I partly blame that on my using detergent when changing tyres before I learned how bad that practice is.

Rest of the mechanics are pretty hard to break.

**mikemike104** · 17th August 2012, 10:50

Originally Posted by Transalper

Only major for me was check the wear on splines the front sprocket shaft.
It's a full tear down to replace the shaft and they are prone to wearing the splines off if not looked after properly with proper chain tension adjustment and OEM front sprockets.

My 1996 rims are rotting a bit on the inside but I partly blame that on my using detergent when changing tyres before I learned how bad that practice is.

Rest of the mechanics are pretty hard to break.

What's the deal with checking the splines is it a visual check or chain off and sprockett removal to view?

**Transalper** · 17th August 2012, 12:34

Originally Posted by mikemike104

What's the deal with checking the splines is it a visual check or chain off and sprockett removal to view?

Remove gear shifter leaver so you can remove sprocket cover.
Turn the sprocket back and foward (easier if in gear with rear wheel off the ground) to see if the sprocket rotates on the shaft. A perfect one shouldn't have much slop.
There is of course some slack in the gearbox as on most bikes but it's movement between the shaft and sprocket your looking for.
Link to discussion in the Africa Twin thread, Africas, Transalp 600's and 650's all share the problem. Post 241 on have some pics.... page 47 is you are on KB default settings.

**mikemike104** · 17th August 2012, 12:44

Originally Posted by Transalper

Remove gear shifter leaver so you can remove sprocket cover.
Turn the sprocket back and foward (easier if in gear with rear wheel off the ground) to see if the sprocket rotates on the shaft. A perfect one shouldn't have much slop.
There is of course some slack in the gearbox as on most bikes but it's movement between the shaft and sprocket your looking for.
Link to discussion in the Africa Twin thread, Africas, Transalp 600's and 650's all share the problem. Post 241 on have some pics.... page 47 is you are on KB default settings.

Great stuff Transalper, many thanks I'll take my tools with me.