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15 Jun 2015
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New on the HUBB
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Aix en Provence
Posts: 9
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low is better
Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond
171cm comes in at just under 5' 8" according to my ruler as well, so a perfectly normal height (he said, being that height as well  )
The only thing I would add to what's been said is that while it's perfectly possible / safe to ride a bike tall enough that you can just touch the ball of your foot down, it does wear on you on a long trip. I eventually stopped riding my XR600 because of the effort / concentration / hassle involved every time I came to a stop. Get a top heavy bike, a wet greasy forecourt or an off camber road (or all three in one particular Ceuta filling station) and you'll wonder how you're going to get off. Wake up with a hangover, a stomach upset or even just on an off day and you won't want to put in the effort to get on. Have enough of those days and you'll come to hate the bike.
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First message on this forum so hello fellow travelers !
I am 1m70 and i completly agree with this message.
Although it is possible to ride on the road a bike just touching the ball of the foot down, I would not advise to do that off road RTW. As soon as you will have to stop where there is a hole, you will fall down. Once is ok but if you do that again and again when the road is difficult you will regreat your choice of bike. Also you might hurt your bike witch is not good thousand of km home !
Choose a light bike and lower it if you are around 1m70.
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19 Jun 2015
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Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
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Maybe the perfect bike is just around the next bend.
KTM 390 adventure
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20 Jun 2015
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R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stuxtttr
Maybe the perfect bike is just around the next bend.
KTM 390 adventure 
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It indeed COULD be the perfect bike! For a few years we've heard speculation about an ADV version of the 390 to compliment the Duke and RC390 models already in production. Above is someones fantasy ... just a digital mock up.
But then, about 6 months ago in an interview CEO Stefan Pierer stated KTM would NOT make an Adventure version of this bike. Of course no one (including me) ever believed that. Today I saw this ... but it's a NOTHING piece, total speculation with zero verification. That web site isn't much.
KTM 390 Adventure a Step Closer to Production - TheRideAdvice.comTheRideAdvice.com
HOWEVER ... It seems likely something is coming ... probably sooner than later. 
Why KTM are keeping so quiet on this is mysterious. They better hurry because MANY other OEM's are currently working of small, lighter, less expensive Adventure bikes.
Best interview with KTM CEO Pierer I've read, a few years old but good, LONG but it's two part by Alan Cathcart:
Interview: KTM Boss Stefan Pierer - Cycle News
Interview: KTM’s Stefan Pierer Part II - Cycle News
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20 Jun 2015
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 574
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog
It indeed COULD be the perfect bike! For a few years we've heard speculation about an ADV version of the 390 to compliment the Duke and RC390 models already in production. Above is someones fantasy ... just a digital mock up.
But then, about 6 months ago in an interview CEO Stefan Pierer stated KTM would NOT make an Adventure version of this bike. Of course no one (including me) ever believed that. Today I saw this ... but it's a NOTHING piece, total speculation with zero verification. That web site isn't much.
KTM 390 Adventure a Step Closer to Production - TheRideAdvice.comTheRideAdvice.com
HOWEVER ... It seems likely something is coming ... probably sooner than later. 
Why KTM are keeping so quiet on this is mysterious. They better hurry because MANY other OEM's are currently working of small, lighter, less expensive Adventure bikes.
Best interview with KTM CEO Pierer I've read, a few years old but good, LONG but it's two part by Alan Cathcart:
Interview: KTM Boss Stefan Pierer - Cycle News
Interview: KTM’s Stefan Pierer Part II - Cycle News
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Absolutely, we need economical bikes to buy and run, light enough to enjoy rough terrain while still giving 300mile range. Make the bikes nice to look at too. Hey I'm all for folk spending 12-15 grand on new super adventures if it means the rest of us get the bikes we can enjoy.
No doubt mainstream magazines will say they are boring on the motorway etc well good because apart from heavy traffic filtering motorways are and always will be boring.
 I can't wait I loved my tenets but it was too cumbersome off road and in mud it was a pig, sure a 6,2" moto God could have made it look good but I'm 5,6" and live in the real world!
If KTM can make a nice looking bike for around £5k they should be onto a winner, cheap suspension can still function. KTM offer various racing packages imagine a 390 adventure rally series you get the bike fully kitted out at a discounted rate as part of a race and service package and at the end of a few races the bike is yours to keep. They already do this with road bikes but its normally aimed at younger riders.
Last edited by stuxtttr; 20 Jun 2015 at 12:48.
Reason: Extra
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20 Jul 2015
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HUBB regular
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Germany
Posts: 58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by passeparici
First message on this forum so hello fellow travelers !
I am 1m70 and i completly agree with this message.
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Hi, I'm 1,70m too and I disagree, well not totally. I'm riding my 2008 660 Tenere not lowered, just 1cm lower seat, but raised a bit with WP fork mod. and going offroad with it and I'm on my North- Central-America trip at the moment.
I'm totally fine of just getting my tips of my feet on the ground when I'm sitting in the middle. The ball of one feet when I move my a*** to one side.
Shure I drop my bike here and there, but the Ten is build strong and I dropped it a lot in my past trips. Never had an issue. A dent in a pannier, scratch on my barkbusters. I can live with that.
But thats the catch. I can live with that. One other don't. If you don't feel confident on a higher bike, don't do it.
And the best advise is: Go light. Not only with the bike, but also your luggage. Don't carry a shitload of things you don't need! And heavy things low.
Martin
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
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Lots more comments here!

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