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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 7 Oct 2007
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thanks

Thanks evertone for the advice/comments,l wont be doing any snotty hill climbing,creek crossing stuff when off road.Thats why l narrowed my search down to the 2 bikes mentioned.Also their price is quite reasonable,compared to the KTM and XR etc.l just want a reliable bike that will haul me around without ringing its neck off at hwy speeds.Getting too old and have too much self preservation these days.There is also a Honda 650cc called transalp XLV650.Dont know anything about them either.At 147kg dry,l think the DR650se will end up being my bike sometime soon.
Any other comments will be taken on board though
cheers Steve
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  #2  
Old 28 Dec 2007
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Location: australia
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my choice

Quote:
Originally Posted by hamson_4 View Post
Thanks evertone for the advice/comments,l wont be doing any snotty hill climbing,creek crossing stuff when off road.Thats why l narrowed my search down to the 2 bikes mentioned.Also their price is quite reasonable,compared to the KTM and XR etc.l just want a reliable bike that will haul me around without ringing its neck off at hwy speeds.Getting too old and have too much self preservation these days.There is also a Honda 650cc called transalp XLV650.Dont know anything about them either.At 147kg dry,l think the DR650se will end up being my bike sometime soon.
Any other comments will be taken on board though
cheers Steve
l have a one owner Yamaha IT200 1986 in near mint condition.l will be off loading that in order to get my DR650se.Will be sometime in the new year,so cant wait.Looking worward to button start,sick of almost breaking my big toe many times over the years,The Suzi is fairly cheap down here in OZ campaired to smaller stuff and European.Under 8K AUD brand new.
Regards steve
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  #3  
Old 28 Dec 2007
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Hi,

I have a Yam XT600E late model. It's a great bike and I've used it for long trips on 90% tarmac where it rumbles happily along. You can also pound along off-round although it's far from nimble. Jumping it is like riding an elephant off a cliff!
A freind of mine recently bought a Suzuki DRZ 400. It's a really nice little bike, he's fitted it with a huge 28litre Safari tank (which I'm pretty sure is made in OZ) making it a really nice long distance off road tourer. One down side is that itty bitty seat, but obviously there's a trade off in that it doesn't get in the way standing up. He rides it on the motorway at 70mph and claims it's just fine at this speed, although whether that's doing the little single pot any good is another thing. It is a much more capable bike off-road than mine though.
I guess it boils down to what's important to you. For me, who rides mostly on tarmac and does the odd bit of rough road/off road riding, the XT is perfect. However, if I was expecting to do as much riding off-road as you are, I'd put up with the discomfort and relatively low top speed of the DRZ in order to get the maximum fun off road.

Matt
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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