Hi Guys,
Just struggling with decision which bike to chose since I don't want to spend a fortune but still would be nice to have reliable machine. I cut the list to nc750x,
xt660x tenere and bmw g650GS. The last one probably is gone from the list since I just learnt on this forum the engine for this bmw is made in China and build quality is poor. Problem I have now because I read bad things about xt660 tenere as well regarding build quality, even on the xt660 very forum. So what do you think, am I stick with nc750x? good price on it, but can it make it? not really adventure bike is it?

The Honda has a 17" front wheel. Unless you plan to stay on bitumen, the Tenere might be a better option.

Other than that, Honda would always be a good choice

__________________
Squily

I guess it depends on how you define 'adventure' riding. If you mean prominently maintained roads and gravel track, it should be superb. Or are you talking off-road?

__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

I guess would be 50/50 - planning to do Morocco trip this year as well...

Tenere xt660z is very tempting but being single cylinder scares me off a little bit for longer trips, or maybe I shouldn't worry about vibration and loudness in this bike?

thanks

My '86 Tenere did >100kkm with no issues. The new ones are probably even more reliable. If you can live with the 'low' power and soft suspension, the Tenere's are quite good.

If you want a 2-cylinder: there are other options. V-strom etc.

__________________
Squily

I managed a test ride on the Honda (strictly on pavement) and was surprised that the motor had a somewhat industrial feel to it despite being a twin. Ultimately, I bought a 650 V-Strom with which I am pleased.


As far as 17 inch wheels are concerned, the Honda may be different, but I've travelled a good many gravel and dirt road kilometres on a Kawasaki ZR7-S (which is a standard-ish UJM design on 17 inchers) and found it abysmally unsuited to those types of roads. I'm sold on the notion that narrower, larger diameter tires do better on unstable surfaces.

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 would disagree about the BMW motor. I'd bet the Loncin, China motor is more reliable than previous Berlin one. BMW have had years building them in Loncin now, very few problems with these new motors.

The problem with the G650 and the Sertao are COST and Weight ... not the quality of the motor. I'm really not sure if the rest of the bike is tough enough, but I'd bet it's OK ... not perfect .. but good. But then, you've got to deal with BMW dealers! Got your Gold Card handy?

I'm sure guys on Tenere' forums nit pick on the Tenere' forever, but there are many ride reports featuring the Tenere'. I'd say it's a very solid bike ... but I don't own one.

KEEP IN MIND ... any travel bike you get will need certain modifications to be a good travel bike. None are ready off the showroom floor ... and speaking of Showroom floor ... DON'T BUY NEW ... buy a nice used bike.

That NC Honda would be the LAST bike I'd pick of your choices. Very heavy,
and a 17" front tire is NOT your friend on any sort of dirt, mud, gravel. Major PITA ... unless you have lots of experience and good off road riding skills. It's also unproven as a long term travel bike. Do have the pioneering spirit?
Beta Tester?

Which Suzuki 650 did you ride? Vstrom 650, I'm guessing? Among twin travel bikes, it's quite good ... I think you need to give it some time, learn to ride it. It's one of THE MOST highly regarded travel bikes on the planet. It's also quite a bit LIGHTER weight than the NC Honda. If you're doing more ROAD than dirt, it's an excellent choice once properly fettled.

If you want a light, reliable and inexpensive single dual sport bike ... you don't have many choices in the UK. The Tenere' (too heavy), KTM 690 ($$$$) DRZ400S, XT600E, perhaps a few others to choose.

In the US we don't have XT's or Tenere' but DO have the KLR and DR650. Both reasonable and cheap to buy and maintain.

The KTM 690 would be a great choice if you have the budget, fabrication and mechanical skills ... as a standard bike it's not really travel ready. But the "bones" are good if you keep up with maintenance and really need an
off-road biased dual sport bike.

I'd suggest the XT600E. Cheap, reliable, tough. Lots of knowledge around and plenty of used examples out there.

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.

Bike looks nice - hope you enjoy