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DR650 SE or KTM Adventure? DR650 SE or KTM Adventure?
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 5 Nov 2011
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As stated many times, you'll get there all the way and back on any bike, and certainly on any of your candidate bikes, as plenty of people have gone with far sillier choices ;-) There isn't a universally perfect bike, but there may be a perfect bike for you on a specific day.

Since I know that doesn't help you, I'll root for KTM because

a) it's the bike of your heart, and that counts for a lot
b) KTMs aren't unreliable if you service them a bit (my LC4 went happily 25,000 from Germany to Nepal, and I'd take the same bike again), feel free to PM me about the things that I think need to be done regularly
c) the suspension alone beats the pants off any DR, XT and alike, especially if you plan on doing quite a bit of off-road or bad roads as you would on a trip to Mongolia
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  #2  
Old 7 Nov 2011
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The KTM for sure... 100%

forget all those people saying they arent reliable. We have ridden across Africa on two KTM 990 Adventures and they have been awesome. We even rescued a BMW in Masai Mara in Kenya by towing them whne their fuel pump broke.

precautions and preparations are of course important such as filter fuel before it goes in the tank .. this is most important.

All the information is on our website at www.bigbiketrip.net
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  #3  
Old 7 Nov 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zimi View Post
Hi there,
back from my trip, I sold my R100GS and I am already thinking about a new adventure, most probably this time I will ship my bike to Mongolia and ride the road of Bones...I want a much lighter bike this time, and probably a single cylinder.

My mind says Suzuki DR 650 SE, because I only red positive thinks about this bike, it's very simple and easy to work on.

My heart says KTM Adventure 640, because it looks so good, but I know that servicing it is a pain in the ass compared to the DR650.

The problem in Switzerland is that it's pretty difficult to find a DR650 post 1996. They are plenty of old ones, 88-94, for 1000-2000$, but post 96 are pretty rare, and post 2000 not even imported. They are quite expensive, around 3500-4500$. For the same price I could find a DRZ400 as well.

For the same amount on money or less I can have a KTM Adventure 640, or even A KTM Adventure 950, we find now quite easily a 950 with around 50'000km for less than 5000$.

For 2000$ I could have a Adventure 620 with less than 30'000km...

Well, that's the thing... If I buy a Suzuki, then I need to buy a bigger tank s well, better rear shock absorber.. so it will not be cheap. On the KTM Adventure, there is nothing to upgrade.
Go for the 990 Adventure.... read our website and diary at www.bigbiketrip.net ... cape Town to Shanghai. Fanny, a Chinese former volley ball player, had a licence for just 7 months and road a KTM 990 Adventure across Africa.

www.bigbiketrip.net
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Old 7 Nov 2011
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I was commenting on the 640 which is the bike he was initially talking about. The LC4 engine has nothing in common with the bigger bore twins.

With absolutely no offence, you must be dreaming is you think those LC4 engines are trouble free.

Where I would not hesitate taking one travelling, crossing Mongolia on one is a different story unless you know how to fix it.

Obviously that's just my opinion. No doubt Mongolia would be an absolute BLAST on a 640 Adventure.
This is an old but very interesting thread and DEFINITELY worth reading if you are considering an LC4.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...lems-list-9345
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  #5  
Old 8 Nov 2011
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Thanks for the infos:

to rupertu: 990 Adventure is much to expensive for me, but I might consider a 950 Adventure, sometimes we can find for 5000$ a 950 with approx 50'000km.
I heard their weak point is water and gazpump as well as the clutch piston.

To touring ted: I know this post about the ktm problems, but there is quite a few things that I could check or change before the trip.

I was first condisering a single cylinder because of the weight (the 640 is much lighter than the 950), and because I don't need so much power. I travelled approx 3000km in Mongolia 2 up with 30kg of luggage on a R100GS, it was quite hard in the Gobi, this time I really want to have a lighter bike, especially for the road of bones!
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  #6  
Old 10 Nov 2011
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Take a lot at Colebatch's post in this thread http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ike-do-52163-9 where he observes that beyond civilisation in Siberia, the majority of bikes are KTM or BMW

Anyways, I think the LC4 is a fine engine that if looked after will go a long way. I was happy enough with mine :-) Compared to the DR you probably need a bit more maintenance, but your ride is in a different league.

Things to watch out for:
- Rocker arm roller (probably needs replacement every 25.000km or so, change before you go)
- Good quality oil, change regularly
- Hydrolic clutch master/slave cylinders, take a bottle of Magura blood
- Put gaiters on the USD forks
- Starter sprag clutch can wear out if you put on the throttle whilst starting, easy to replace though (guide on advrider)
- On the Mikuni BST40 carb, the jet needle and needle jet may wear out, take a spare (BST40 guide on advrider)
- Get the right (front) sprockets, otherwise you may have an oil leak if it doesnt fit properly
- Change the crank lip seal in the clutch case every now and then, makes sure you get enough oil on the crank

Anyways, there's no right choice. Pick the one you like and don't look back
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  #7  
Old 10 Nov 2011
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Whats important to you ?
I love KTMs and but I own a DR650SE. I think it is safe to say that almost all bikes are reliable to a point if serviced and loved in the right way. But some will take more of a beating than others.

For me bike choice is about budget, reliability, comfort, simplicity of repair and availability of parts. You can get used to almost any bike on a trip, some will be more fun than others, some will be faster than others. What is your trip about fun, getting from POI to POI as fast as possible, getting there without the need for a massage to recover ?

I personally would go with the DR as it seems more universal. But I also understand that there issues with getting that model up there.

Cheers
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