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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.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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Old 1 Jul 2013
Genghis9021's Avatar
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Posts: 193
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post

I rode mine DRZ400 to capetown. It was far from perfect but then I knew the bike inside out and did a lot of EXPENSIVE preparation to make sure it got there. There is A LOT that can go wrong with a drz, and it does often.. BUT !! It's very easy and simple to fix.
EXTENSIVE or expensive ? Stator bolts, water pump seal, . . . what mod was expensive ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
The DRZ400 is a classic already. I fancy another one now I've sold mine. They will be a sort after and EXPENSIVE bike in another ten years. Everyone should get one stashed away while they're cheap and in nice condition.
Classic ? Sure, a box of parts that is neither lovely (the rear shock looks like something from Soviet days, the thin magnesium case covers on an already heavy bike will puncture from a hard stare, the brakes which are at their limit BEFORE a subtle mod to airbox and jetting, the ridiculously thin (22g) electrical wiring to the similarly pathetic headlight, etc) nor inspiring (torqueless even after carb & intake mods and 5-speeds (!)).

Quote:
Originally Posted by tigershel View Post
Maybe you shouldn't make blanket statements either.
The TE610 was Husky's dualsport model, built for road duty with 3000 mile service intervals, improved alternator output to power accessories and lights

The power output from the 575cc motor is around what I'm hearing CCM is getting from the 450, although knowing both motors (in BMW trim anyway), the Husky is much less dependent on revs to make progress.

The 450 was fat more slanted to the dirt/race side of things than the 610, and in fact when BMW bought Husky, that motor was moved into some Husky 'race' models.

Sent from my A898 Duo using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Yeah . . . the TE610 is powered by a very street-oriented motor. The subsequent TE630 has the benefit of the same overbuilt bottom-end and a better top-end (from the TE510, a race bike) but in both cases a significantly lowered state of tune. Husky was very forward stating that the "TE630 is the most street-oriented motorbike we've ever made . . . following on the TE610".

The TE630 is supposed to be 20% more powerful than the TE610 and that's been widely discredited. If there's one complaint with the TE6xx's it's that they make significantly less power and use significantly more fuel than a KTM 690. I have a TE630 and at the price point it was a good value and if possible would have it in Thailand replacing my DRZ400 in a heart beat !

The 450 was . . . forced on Husky. It does not have a great rep, deservedly or not. If it were so good . . . why would BMW abandon it ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by adventure950 View Post
The "what will do it" or "any bike will do it" mentality is for people who dont care about the bike. The focus is travel. The bike is merely a means to get there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
.Thats fine but dont kid yourself that its a view that speaks for all of us. Some us do like the riding as much as the travelling. For those of us that do, the choice of bike is of equal importance as the choice of route. For those of us who do find a lot of value in the actual riding, the choice of bike tends to be one in which you apply critical thought and rationality ... Its about rationality. Its a very light bike, with a modern brand name engine, excellent suspension, big fuel tanks and looks to have the potential not just to be go to far more remote places than the big adventure bikes, but to allow you have 20 times the fun doing it. For some of us, its about choosing a bike that is fun to throw around in the dirt at high speed. Whats wrong with that?
Quote:
Originally Posted by adventure950 View Post
I cold not agree more with these statements - for me the daily ride is far more important than the destination and to enjoy that ride the bike must be something that meets your own particular needs at that time and for that riding. You summed it all up very well. Jake.
Few if any on this forum MUST ride a motorbike. Being entirely rational is a bit . . . odd. It's two wheels - it's inherently unstable . . . it should be FUN. Kymco 125 . . . fun ? To each his own but just riding to cover miles . . . or to do it most cheaply . . . those are the forced decisions of many people all over the world. Those who COULD have some fun SHOULD have some fun.
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