Hi guys and gals new to this forum and the amount of information and knowledge on here is absolutely great for a budding adventurer like myself.
I am 31 years old and after spending 3 years in New Zealand and touring both islands on a 1996 Yamaha XT225 Serow I am now back in the UK with plans to tour both Europe and Asia on a motorcycle in 2014.
I have purchased a 2005 KTM 640 Adventure and I have fitted the bike with pannier racks (I have some Magadans that will be fitted on there) and also a headlight guard and a high mudguard kit.
Now I really enjoy the bike on the road but haven't done too much off road with it and herein causes the problem...... I am only 5ft 7in tall and I can just about get one foot on the ground.
I met Austin Vince at the NEC last week and it got me thinking is a Honda XR 400 a better bike for me??
I am worried about the weight and size of the 640 off road where as a XR400 with a big tank will be alot lighter and more nimble??
I hope you can help me with any advice/opinions as I this is going to influence my trips that I have planned for next year and the years to come..
Thanks,


JJ

Honda

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TBS.com

I'd keep the KTM since you already own it. Why would you swap a bike just 'cos someone else thinks it's a good idea?

How much off road are you realistically going to do? Not much in Europe, I would suggest. Asia - maybe a little more? Not worth swapping to a more off road oriented bike for that reason IMHO.

Go with what you have already got. As long as YOU feel comfortable with it.

The 640 Adventure was one of the best bikes Ive owned, bit vibey and fiddly to service, but great suspension and not too heavy for a 650 class bike, lower it a bit if you like to make it more manageable if it feels too tall.

Just make sure you service the LC4 engine well.

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

A well sorted KTM could do EU ... It's not much heavier than the XR400R, IIRC. The Honda is more bullet proof but not good on motor ways in EU over about 60 mph. (higher gearing would help) The KTM is not great on highway either, IMHO, as the 640's vibrate a lot at speed. Newer 690's much better.

Neither much good riding highway. Better off with a street bike for EU travel.
If you're headed to Mongolia ... well that's another story as when you get there you'll need a good off road Enduro bike. But if just EU ... neither KTM or Honda are ideal, IMHO.

Off road? Not sure how or where you'll find much true off road in EU. Maybe some dirt roads? .. or Erzberg? Dunno. Other than parts of Spain, Portugal and Andorra I've not seen or heard about many wide open off road areas (like the Western USA or Mexico) ... until you get to Russia.

Asia
I've done Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia. I would never consider shipping either bike over there. Big $$$$. Best buy or rent a local bike there. Some countries allow you to pass from country to country with your bike, others do not. Some decent 125's and 250's there. I stuck mostly with 125's.

Rented bikes in Thailand, did a buy back in Vietnam. Rented in Cambodia. Bringing in your own bike is troublesome and expensive far as I know.

Thanks for the response guys! Well I am looking at going to Spain for a shakedown trip just to get myself used to the bike and all my gear more and wanted to incorporate that with some off road riding. It was someone elses opinion it was just a thought that I would do better with a lighter bike. Apart from trying it i guess I will never know just wanted to know other people thoughts and views to see what they recommended. Gipper do you know or have any tips to cure and of the vibes? Im thinking of a sheepskin seat cover or maybe a Renazco gel seat?