Buying a dual purpose bike

[chasio]

I just sold my DR-Z 400 and think I may actually end up getting another one if a big Africa Twin at the right price doesn't come along... They're f*cken good bikes.

Looks a bit hefty for me right now but if I was local I'd go round for a look-see at this.

[NordieBoy]

I'm more looking road biased. I hear the later KLR's can cut the mustard but I think I'd be out of budget on a later one. A 2007 just went in Welly for $6500 on TardMe, but still a bit steep for me.

If you'd sell me your Versys for $6k, I'd be very interested

I'd go for which out of the KLE and XF you could get for the cheapest.
An XF650 did the Dusty Butt fine as did a KLE400. The bonus with the XF is the amount of knowledge around about the engine.

[Paladin]

I'd go for which out of the KLE and XF you could get for the cheapest.
An XF650 did the Dusty Butt fine as did a KLE400. The bonus with the XF is the amount of knowledge around about the engine.

There was a sweet 99 KLE with 42k kms on TM went for $1500 last nite! Looked a nice bike for $1500, sheesh, cheap as chips!

[chasio]

There was a sweet 99 KLE with 42k kms on TM went for $1500 last nite! Looked a nice bike for $1500, sheesh, cheap as chips!

How did I not see that?

[chasio]

... there is a teeny chance (yeah, right) that it will get biffed over a bank or down a gravel road fairly soon after you get your paws on it...

...so, if your not sure, get a cheap 250 "trail" type bike and thrash that around the place until you can decide.

The thought has certainly crossed my mind. I will take it easy on road at first and use the GT200 for commuting until I've sussed the new bike. I picked up the Vespa in Palmy and rode it back to Auckland on the twisties (Paraparas, Glen Murray, etc.) without incident except a bit of side stand scraping after a few hundred kms so I'm hoping I can keep it rubber side down for a while at least.

Buying a dirty 250 has been in my mind but I am not too keen to buy and sell more often than I need to!

[JATZ]

I'd go for which out of the KLE and XF you could get for the cheapest.
An XF650 did the Dusty Butt fine as did a KLE400. The bonus with the XF is the amount of knowledge around about the engine.

XF's just a cheap knock off of the F650, isn't it.
All the F650's I've seen on t/me are waaaay over priced.The missus one had done about 125,000 k when she sold it and it still went real well, I think the injected ones had a few issues with fueling, ours were both carbed.
Parts are f*@kin expensive.
Still not bad bikes if your doing a lot of road work

My 2c

[chasio]

I'd go for which out of the KLE and XF you could get for the cheapest.
An XF650 did the Dusty Butt fine as did a KLE400. The bonus with the XF is the amount of knowledge around about the engine.

I'm definitely leaning to one of the 2 japs. Just twin carbs on the XF compared to the DR isn't it? First tweak would have to be the exhaust flow after reading your posts.

Edit: Nope, it's an airbox mod with new jets, I'm told.

The GPZ500 engine on the KLE is pretty well known as well, I believe. But I've read a new lightweight exhaust is the first upgrade for a KLE and it's lot more pricey than the above.

[XF650]

OK I'm biased towards the XF so the comment from JATZ will keep.....

While the power (standard) looks similair, the XF is 20kg lighter & has more tourque than the KLE = better power to weight ratio? This might prove important if you are considering long distance touring with luggage & or pillion.

I haven't ridden a KLE to make a true comparison but if twins are being considered then what about a Transalp? Not sure if they are in your price range but I'm impressed by Timg's one. Plus both the Honda & the Kawa have 21" front wheels, which are a real advantage in thick gravel & offroad. However for road & easy gravel, the 19" fronts are fine. Plus with "appropiate" tyres you can still go "the long way".

Have fun test riding your options chasio and let us know your impressions.

[chasio]

Thanks to XF650 as well as his direction to rogson, I have got properly genned up on the XF ($50 for 10% more hp? nice) and it is definitely interesting for me as more or less a noob with a full license. I really need to find a KLE in Aucks even just to have a sit on as it's a long return trip to Whangarei for a look when short of time... bearing in mind I don't have a swift enough set of wheels yet.

Touring with luggage is in. Pillion needs persuading but there's time...

A Transalp at the right price could be very attractive as well. I was watching an XL400 on TardMe but the ad got pulled by the seller pretty sharpish. Similar weight to KLE at about 180KG. None in price range for me right now but there's no actual rush (just me being keen).

Nallac has said he may be able to shoot up and look that XF over for me next week, which would be O for oarsome as I know can't assess a bike's condition properly. I do know it would fit me fine, having had a sit and a tutu earlier on.

KB is the goods, man.

Chasio

PS I'm looking for a proper refresher course but has anyone anywhere near AKL got a rat bike they'd be willing to let me ride around a paddock for an hour in exchange for beer or similar? No harm in asking

[Tony W]

KLE 500s ARE GUTLESS.
Quite nice looking, so I test rode one.......what a shock ! The DRZ 400 feels doubly powerful.

I do like XFs.

[Paladin]

And remember, if it doesn't have a bashplate, put one on before you go offroading cos ya never know what might happen!

(Not that I'd be that silly with a new bike!)

[XF650]

It's ironic that the XF650 comes standard with a substantial bash plate, yet the more 'off road' focused DR650 doesn't ??

[Crisis management]

PS I'm looking for a proper refresher course but has anyone anywhere near AKL got a rat bike they'd be willing to let me ride around a paddock for an hour in exchange for beer or similar? No harm in asking

Tony (KTMboy on here) at the Sandpit (Woodhill off road bike park) has a 200cc trail bike he rents out, I would be happy to ride with you on the easy trails up there if thats of any use. It isn't adventure riding but it is the basic skillset you need for adventure riding.
Not sure if thats the sort of riding you are thinking of but I promise I won't post up the photos.

DR 650 cases: I've seen plenty with holes in them, they are paper thin and a bash plate is a minimum.

[NordieBoy]

It's ironic that the XF650 comes standard with a substantial bash plate, yet the more 'off road' focused DR650 doesn't ??

Ironic or stupid?

The pre-96 had a rev counter, bashplate, decent pillion pegs, more HP (less torque), front disc guard...

[Paladin]

It's ironic that the XF650 comes standard with a substantial bash plate, yet the more 'off road' focused DR650 doesn't ??

Ironic or stupid?

The pre-96 had a rev counter, bashplate, decent pillion pegs, more HP (less torque), front disc guard...

Yep, how can they advertise the DR as ready to go for offroad adventure when the casing gets damaged so easily. Actually its pretty f*cking outrageous when you think about it! I mean it would surely cost them peanuts to put one on in the factory. I can only presume its a sick plan to get buyers to buy a suzuki bashplate and generate more revenue or a rediculous cost saving exercise on the front end!

After having a rev counter on the KLX, I thought I would miss it but tbh not having one made me take my eyes off the instruments and listen to the engine more which is a good thing. Not saying rev counters aren't useful, just how not having one changed my focus in a positive way.

I actually missed the clock more than the rev counter!