Thanks for tips Mollydog,
the reason I want rather new bike because I don't have any mechanical skills
so I need to minimize the chances of something goes wrong.
Anyway I think you're right, I need bigger, spoked wheels and wet weight under 200kg. XT tenere and sertao are not that heavy as I recall...

It´s very rare to actually NEED bigger (wanting bigger is another thing).. but lighter can often be on the wish list for a good reason, depends on a lot of things. Spoked wheels also depends.

BTW, what are you planning to do with the bike, that you are now searching for? ´Adventure´ could mean so many things...

I always liked riding my bicycle on trails in woods, gravel roads, skidding rear wheel etc. I want the same with my bike plus some longer trips like across the States, Africa and Europe.


BTW I just seen yamaha XT660R - what do you think about it? much lighter then tenere.

Don't EVER by a KLR. Seriously. I know there are a lot of die-hard KLR fans out there. They say its a "cheap reliable bike". Maybe this was true when the KLR came out 21 years ago. But the new ones are an outdated boat anchor. They have shit suspension, shit brakes, they are heavy, very little power, and the new ones are a lot less reliable then my "high strung KTM"

So many good used bikes to be found if you just look. I sold my 05 640 ADV for $4000. It only had 10,000 miles on it. My friend in CA just bought a very well sorted Husky TE610 with a large tank, racks, luggage and many other things for $4500, It was owned by an old guy who kept very good care of it. So when people say "I bought a KLR because they are cheep and reliable". Well, you could of actually bought a used bike that actually is reliable and you can actually have fun on.

Maybe I'm wrong though. I ride like a hooligan and I love traveling on enduro bikes off road. In a few weeks a friend and I will be doing an unassisted Simpson desert crossing. I will need to carry 25 liters of fuel extra to the 26 liters I already have. Would I ever try to do this trip on a KLR? No. hell no. But my 690 will take me through with its efficient, reliable powerful, engine and its great suspension. Then i'll put a bigger front sprocket and burn highway around oz. The bike really does it all.

So... if you want a bike to limit you, get a heavy bike with shit suspension. If you want a bike that will be able to go way past your riding ability.. (yes, you need some self control).. then get a light enduro. DRZ, DR, XT, 640 Adv, 690, husky 610 or 630, or honda Xr 400 or 650.

Ok bring on the hate from the KLR lovers out there.

I doubt that.
You seem to know a lot about the KLR. Have you ever owned/traveled on one? How far back does your experience go? I was riding a KLR in 1986 and owned another in '98. I didn't like either one ... but since then I've ridden ones that have been nicely modded and are much better.

Yes, they need UP GRADES to be any good at all ... and NO ... they won't beat you in your race around the world on your KTM, but they usually make it through albeit at a slower pace.

Proven by the THOUSANDS who've done RTW or cross continent rides on KLR's. Yes, surly old school and outdated but still get the job done for many who aren't having any fun!

The 610 is a very fun bike to ride ... but in fact at 10K miles is right were the top ends go out ... almost like clock work ... Just ask co-owner Matt Prentiss of Munroe Mtrs. in San Francisco ... top Husky dealer in USA until the KTM takeover, and true Husky Guru.

Matt's a HUGE Husky fan (owns a 510) ... but does not live with his head in the sand regards weaknesses and common failures of the Huskies. I have first hand, eye witness Husky stories from our rides together.

So, NO, I would not recommend the 610 or 630 (even Worse!) as a travel bike. Both are a HOOT to ride or race ... but require careful maintenance, good mechanic/owners ... and luck.

Regards prices of used Euro bikes compared to a used KLR, DR, XR-L, XT, DRZ, XR400, et al. Sometimes you can find deals,
like on older 640 KTM's, Huskies. But a KTM 690 in good nick is a different world away price wise.

Here is one posted here : http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...dventure-76984
2011 KTM 690 - Around £9,000 if you add in all offered accessories. That's $13,500 USD.

yea, I guess there's just no way a KLR guy could ever have fun! and some KLR's are good deals, some not. How about this one:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...rth-look-76869

Well young guys have lots of testosterone to burn off ... so go for it! Have fun...the 690 is perfect for you.

I hope you have good evac insurance! But not everyone "Rides like a Hooligan" on a fully loaded travel bike when 10,000 miles from home with no quick Medical help close at hand. When you've seen a few "hooligan" heros die right in front of you ... you may revaluate riding style.

Really good advice for someone going racing. Not so much for travel. I've already been racing, 8 years AMA Enduro, "B" rider. How about you?

But I'm done racing, sold my WR250F a few months back. I totally get having a capable off road bike ... but most novice riders/travelers (like the OP) don't have racing backgrounds so could give a Rat's Ass about going fast. Really talking about two different worlds.

This statement just proves your ignorance regards the character and values of most of the KLR guys. They're really not a hateful bunch in my experience ... and most don't have that feverish devotion we see from some brand loyalists. Statements like the above simply antagonize and inflame the conversation. No place for "hate" here ... hey, it's just motorcycle riding after all!

I rode the new Ténéré last Friday. It is a fun bike. Easy to control and even though it is a single, I didn't really find it vibrating much. I would think it would make a nice RTW bike and there are some that use it for that.

I think it's rather other way around - new bikes are less reliable...

is that bullet proof xt660z???



http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=19882&page=2

I bought honda nc750x after all and so far I'm happy with he bike.
Thanks to low center of gravity it handles extremely well at low speed
regardless it wet weight is 219kg so a little bit more they I have planned.

If anybody is interested here is the info how to disable temporarily ABS on NC7500X and have fun off-road:

- start the engine and ride a few yards/meters for ABS self check test passed and the ABS light goes off.
- stop, put on neutral but don't turn the engine off
- put the bike on central stand as your rear wheel is off the ground a bit
- put second gear on
- rev the engine to around 20 miles/h or 35 km/h so the ABS light comes on blinking (will stay like that while abs is disabled)
- don't stop the engine, get bike off the stand and ride on and have fun - ABS is off
- to turn ABS on again simply turn the engine off and on

It's been tested and it works. (same on CB500X)

Just out of interest what bike did the OP buy in the end?

The NC700/750X machines are proving to be a surprisingly good adventure bike.

One of the Advrider guys took one along with a few KTM's on an off road trip in Colorado. It appears it was the KTM's that needed the spanners out while the Honda coped very well http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=903353

If you are a fan of the BMW Airheads you'll love an NC. I'm running one alongside my airheads. Lighter weight, more power and great MPG. Virtually the same size as the airhead PD. The standard suspension is terrible and you'll need to budget for a decent shock, especially if you are two up.



Mines the DCT version which is great off road as you always have drive and cannot stall. The only downside as mentioned above is the wider front tyre lacks precision in mud and on gravel but it isn't that bad at all. Put a set of TKC's on and its fine. Riding on the pegs is very easy, the footpegs are low and the bars are in the right place to make it comfortable, a set of 1" risers would make it nigh on perfect. The low engine and centre of gravity means you can balance at standstill.



The big plus with the NC --> take it easy and this is possible. I was worried about only having three gallons when I bought it but its yet to be an issue.



on the road 80-85 mph is effortless even with luggage on. Top end isn't brilliant but if your on this site then its pretty academic anyway.

Honda has made a real gem with these bikes. They've flicked the finger at the performance riders and made a bike that lopes along and eats the miles while using very little fuel. I'm really pleased with mine.

Here's my nc, packed for ride.

Attached Thumbnails

 

Have you found any short cuts in refuelling though when all that kit is stacked up on top of the fuel filler access?

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Dave

No short cuts unless you remove the rear seat and just push your gear back to access the gas cap. I take my time fueling using the time to decompress instead fueling fast and taking off. If you go to nc700x forum, there's hondabikepro who makes a rear rack that replaces the seat and has opening for the gas cap.

Thanks for the info.
It seems that these great products have to be imported from the States;
hondabikepro products

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Dave

Oh my the way I'm heading to Grand Canyon and Four Corners area of southwest US in June. Look for pix.