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I've sold the Sprint now, and got a F650GS instead. It was the same 955i engine as yours, although in a slightly different state of tune. It was an awesome motor, useable from city commuting to blasting the autobahns with equal ease. The only issue I had was oil consumption, which I believe is a problem with some of the 955 bikes (not sure about the 1050s). With high-speed use, it was drinking a litre every 1000 miles, less with more moderate use. Although Triumph argue that this is 'within acceptable limits', I would say it was unacceptably high for a modern bike. My XT (30k hard miles, 800 bodging owners before me) uses precisely zero litres between changes, so it can be done.
I would think twice about taking that bike on a RTW trip just on the oil issue, but if yours is a good one (luck of the draw, I think), then I would agree - brilliant motor and excellent overall build quality. Triumph have got it right, pretty much. |
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Mine hasn't burnt a drop since I've had it. And I ride it like it should be ;) I wouldn't take mine RTW either. For a start it's too heavy and top heavy at that. As a road bike and a tourer though, I LOVE IT !! |
I think 'lottery' sums it up. Bike magazine had one on long-term test ( I think a 955 Tiger, but not certain) and thought that modern bikes didn't need the oil checking. They ran it dry and wrecked it, and Triumph weren't too pleased. Bike argued that a modern bike shouldn't use that much oil (and I agree). Triumph responded that a competent owner should check the oil in any case (and I agree with that too). But then Triumph tried to argue that one litre per 1000 miles was an acceptable (and even an 'industry standard') level of consumption. I call BS on that. I have owned a long string of old, knackered, neglected bikes in my time, but I have never had a bike that used oil at that rate.
To be fair, that rate of oil consumption was achieved 2-up on French and German motorways, moderately hot weather, and cruising for the most part between 90 and 110 mph. In normal use, it used about half as much. I posted a query on the Triumph RAT forum (mainly US-based) and got a variety of responses from 'mine uses none at all' to 'mine uses more than yours, but it's a Triumph and that's the price of character'. If yours is a good one, it's a keeper, as it is possibly the best real-world road-bike motor I have ever had - with the possible exception of Ducati's awesome 992 cc Desmodue V-twin. But 1 cc of oil per mile travelled was a deal-breaker for me. I realised that for the next extended trip I would need to plan for oil supplies as well as everything else, and it would be easier to take the oiltight XT instead :) (Funnily enough, it seemed to use less oil, and run better, with semi-synth rather than full synth. Full synth ruined the gearchange.) |
Suzuki DRZ400
Thanks guys for so many replies! But I finally had my decision, I'm not going to take a BMW 800GS, or the Triumph 800XC, nether the Tenere XTZ660! I am gonna take the Suzuki DRZ400! It's much lighter, only 119kg (dry), almost no electronic apart the starter, easier to fix and find parts and finally, very reliable. That's the right machine!
By the way, any tips for it? Cheers, Joas |
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Suzuki Tech - Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB There's been some recent discussion about the various models sold in different markets; the concensus was that you do not want to buy the enduro "E" model which is too specialised (for which I mean highly tuned with a weak subframe as the main points) for overlanding. |
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My website has most of the info on the prep I did. Touring Ted - look for 'DRZ Prep' on the menu. The ESSENTIAL things to do are.. Loctite the stator and pick-up bolts. Fit 'case savers' to the engine cases (cases are cheese) Change oil every 2-3000 miles and check it OFTEN. It only takes 1900cc. larger tank. Clark 15L gets you about 200-220 miles. There is a HUGE 28L Safari tank available too but it's expensive. Apart from that it's a VERY reliable bike. Don't expect anything more than 60-65mph though. And PACK VERY LIGHT - I can't stress that enough. It's not a touring bike and the suspension and engine won't thank you for dragging the kitchen sink along. There is a lot of stuff you can do for "uncorking". Removing the PAIR valve, removing the carb solenoid. You can also jet and fit a Scorpion exhaust for more BHP. If you have anymore questions, feel free to PM me :thumbup1: HOWEVER........... If I was doing the trip again, I'd of gone with the XT660Z Tenere. 20,000 miles was just too much on a DRZ400 for my ass. lol |
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The normal S version of the DRZ is 133 - 134 kgs dry. |
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And it's weight is HIGH. Rides with less graceful balance than my considerably heavier KTM 950 in the tight, slow stuff. The FCR carb and the slightly higher compression are a drag for RTW and crap fuel. Especially the FCR in colder times or higher elevations. The S/SM are much better & easier for your goals, IMHO. And the suspension components on the SM, at least the front forks, are much better. |
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But you might end up doing that to any bike. Still, it's pretty lightweight compared to most. |
I ragged the arse off a drz 400 sm round France in 2007,to world enduro round at noiretable,around some of the course on the Thursday..which you wouldn't entertain on the panzer BMW gs or ktm 990 etc.then on to Spain where it went most places in the dry that I've taken a proper dirtbike in the hills surrounding where some friends live.
It's not got the longest of legs on the motorways but it can do them,but with bubble wrap on the seat and a 15 litre Clarke tank it done from figueres back up to dieppe in a day..silencer melted the number plate and right hand throw over pannier was incinerated after...if I was going longer distance would just ride it a bit more gently.. It's a very capable bike..if your not in too much of a hurry. |
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I just want to add in reference to the Japanese reliability, I have a 2009 Honda CBR600RR, my choice of touring bike, sorry guys i love it. The bike has been ridden 50,000 kms since its first day all in PAKISTAN. I've taken it to the KKH many times and Kashmir, Gawadar. Quetta on the list to do. The only thing I have done as yet is change oil, oil filter and wash the K&N filter, change chain kit due to wear over 40000kms. The only thing that I have changed out of the regular maintenance is the chain tensioner, only recently. Knowing that the petrol here is not that good and I have never put hi-octane, never changed spark plugs as yet, the Japanese have definitely perfected these machines as compared to BMW. (owned a F650GS before this). I have a sports bike but knowing the kind of problems I may experience with a beemer, I would rather go around the world on my honda CBR Regards, Zoeed "Madman" Arshad Check out: Zoeed Arshad |
Your original question was a choice of 3 bikes for the long trip. BMW. I have had my eye on the same bikes. I came away with the conclusion that the BMW would be the most durable of the three in an off road beat down.
old man on a kid's bike, klxsquirrel |
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