Adventure bike

**NordieBoy** · 15th September 2007, 21:11

147kg dry.
But try riding it dry

**RedKLR650** · 15th September 2007, 21:13

Originally Posted by pete376403

Is that an advertised dry weight or a real-world-tested-on-accurate-scales weight? I think that in days gone by, some of the weights quoted in advertising must have been taken before the engine was fitted to the frame.
I know my 08 KLR is advertised at 175 dry and is 192-3 on the Interisland Ferry weighbridge with a near full tank so maybe now Kawasaki have discovered Truth in Advertising laws.

It's 153kg in the owners manual....

I just had a look

Cheers, Stu

**pete376403** · 15th September 2007, 22:22

owners manual, huh? Page 53 of KLR650 owners manual tells me I should shift from 5th to 6th at 55km/hr. I don't believe everything written in there...

**doc** · 15th September 2007, 22:28

Originally Posted by terbang

KTM 990 Adventure

You have to be kidding. Finn has trouble reaching the ground now. Those things are not really suitable for the little people.

**pete376403** · 15th September 2007, 22:29

Originally Posted by RedKLR650

I just had a look

Cheers, Stu

Those your pics in the latest Kiwi Biker about the Dunlop Rally Raid? Nice pic of a KLR speedo but apart from that no mention of KLR attendance.

**dino3310** · 15th September 2007, 22:39

Originally Posted by NordieBoy

2nd hand DR650?

or a new one

**Usarka** · 15th September 2007, 22:48

Get a killacycle.

**Finn** · 16th September 2007, 10:11

The bike will be for a motorhome. When you're parked up, it's an arse driving a 14 ton bus to go do the shopping. Also, it'll be handy to have a bike to do some day trip / exploring on. It must be able to have panniers as well.

I really like the BMW's but as Merv pointed out, if I dropped it in the middle of nowhere by myself, I might as well set it on fire, walk back and call my insurance company. Perhaps the 650 model will do the trick.

I guess I should go take some fro a ride.

**Finn** · 16th September 2007, 10:14

Originally Posted by doc

You have to be kidding. Finn has trouble reaching the ground now.

Not to mention I can't see over the dash on those things. I'm sure they're are great bikes but they make my stomach turn.

**tri boy** · 16th September 2007, 10:20

With that new info Finn, I would agree with Merv, look at road going DRZ400, KLX300/400 etc.
Fit suitable tyres, and consider fuel tank size.
Personally I think the larger (650+) bikes would be a pain to live with.
Will the bike be secured to the rear of the M/home, or some other system?
A mate in Aus travelled in an ex Vic double decker, towing a car trailer with a land rover on it, and a XR200 on a carrier at the rear of the bus. He travelled all around Oz in it.

**Wolf** · 16th September 2007, 10:50

I'll add my voice to the "as light as possible" comments. Finn, you're not wrong about may as well set fire to it and call the insurance company if you drop it. Much and all as I love beemers, they can be insanely heavy.

I love my little XT225 as it has a low seat height and is very light. Yamaha's 2008 model is reworked and has an actual 250 engine (249cc rather than my 223cc engine)

It will take two fairly comfortably if neither is particularly large and is no slouch 2-up.

A slightly larger bike would be better for going any decent distance 2-up but you wouldn't want to go too big or you'd get into "I'll never pick it up if I drop it" territory.

Depends how far you anticipate travelling 2-up, really, as I have no problem riding my bike considerable distances (I'm only an amateur, Lois Pryce rode an XT225 from the tip of Alaska to the tip of South America) one-up.

Panniers can be sorted out - Roj and I built pannier frames for the XT and they were fine for lugging my gear to the Cold Kiwi - more than sufficient for a milk/bread run.

In the scenario you describe, I'd personally take a little road-legal 250 that can be easily thrown around off road (and picked up if/when needed), quite capable of the open road limit plus a bit more, small, light and economical.

If you're as short as everyone claims, the XT225 (07) or the XT250 (08) might be a good fit with its low seat height but I'm sure you should have no prob getting pretty much anything adapted to suit.

**merv** · 16th September 2007, 11:06

OK hearing now it is for your motorhome I'd be saying I reckon stick with the DR650SE because they are a minimalist bike with no extra crap like fairings on them so they'd tuck in neatly on the back of the home or on a trailer or whatever. You can equip them for long distance like Mark and Jane did http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=48490 and from the reports he's given us they are going well.

If you're really only doing day trips you won't really need panniers, a Ventura rack and bag set is fine for that and very compact and doesn't stick out the side so no getting caught on bushes or anything like that.

I doubt you are such a short arse as I am and I find the DR650 OK and we have ours set on the 40mm reduced ride height and that is a benefit with them too they are adjustable. Here's Mrs merv's DR, all nice and light and compact, 40mm lower than stock, f..k all to break on it http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/at...7&d=1189223477

If we ride two up I normally take the VFR, but on this ride for newb's a while back http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=23838 knowing we wouldn't need to be going too quick we took the DR two up and while its slightly more cramped on the back than the VFR Mrs was fine on that for the day.

Alternatively, if you want your Mrs or whoever riding too, then something like 2 XT250's (the 225 version) wouldn't be such a bad idea either if you can squeeze them on the back of the home.