"Mike" (madmike32)
05/10/2015 at 13:44 • Filed to: None
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"Mike" (madmike32)
05/10/2015 at 13:44 • Filed to: None | 0
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I’m looking at getting my first-ish motorcycle this summer and I’m trying to decide on a good lightweight adventure tourer. I need a good, affordable all-rounder. Something that’s nimble and relatively capable off-road but comfortable on the freeway, especially with my upcoming college commute. Range and touring capability would be nice, too. Almost certainly going to be a used bike, ideally in the $3000-$4000 range.
I say “first-ish” because, while this will be my first road-legal bike, I grew up riding off-road and have quite a bit of time in my dad’s old R1200GS as well. I don’t want a big beastie like that to start out on, but I’m also not exactly looking for a Ninja 250, either. I’m aiming for around the 650cc-range.
I’m currently leaning towards the BMW F650GS (ideally a Dakar, but I’ll take what I can get). I wouldn’t mind a KTM 640 Adventure either, but those seem to be somewhat hard to come by. Other bikes I’ve considered include the KLR, Versys, V-Strom 650, NX650, and even some oddball Italians like the Aprilia Pegaso and Cagiva Gran Canyon - again, though, some of those are rather hard to come by. I’m only really trying to avoid the pure, trail-bike-with-turn-signals dual-sport bikes like the XR650, DR-Z400, etc. Mostly because I don’t really like the thought of bringing one of those onto I-75, though petty aesthetics play a part too. Other than that, I’m open to pretty much anything.
Africa Twin for your time.
QCGoose
> Mike
05/10/2015 at 14:30 |
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Kawasaki KLR650. Excellent used ones, even the newer generation from 2008, can be found for $4k or less; the earlier models can be found for half that.
They're light-ish, fuel efficient, agile enough while being stable enough on the road at higher speeds, though long highway/interstate runs are not its forte at all, but that's true for basically any single popper. They're perfect for city riding, B-roads and other light "off-roading" (obviously you aren't gonna want to go motocrossing on one).
The KLR650 is the best compromise between roadbike/offroad bike. The best road-legal offroad bikes are the light, small, slow 250's and 450's and those things pretty much shouldn't be ridden on the freeways. You'll be miserable and the bikes will be maxed out just trying to stay with traffic; there's basically no reserve for passing power and speed. The best bikes for comfortable freeway traveling that are also considered offroad-capable are the big adventure bikes that are so tall and heavy that they're hardly offroad-friendly, not to mention well above your price range. Gravel roads, no problem. B-roads, not too bad. But true offroading? It'll be hell.
nlzmo400r
> Mike
05/10/2015 at 14:36 |
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For cheapish I love the Ducati MTS1100DS or BMW F800gs. Great bikes with exceptional build quality. A number of KTMs fall into the same category. Id strongly suggest a twin cylinder machine for commuting if there's any highway use involved
bob and john
> Mike
05/10/2015 at 14:56 |
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I find the 650 singles a little.under powered. Id go vstrom 650. Basically an offroad sv650. And that is quite possibly the most jack of all trades bike
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Mike
> QCGoose
05/10/2015 at 16:03 |
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The two things that puts me off of the KLR are that the pegs are a bit close to the seat for someone as tall as I am, and it’s a bit on the underpowered side of things. Certainly not counting it out, but it would take a few mods to make it the bike I need it to be.
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QCGoose
> Mike
05/10/2015 at 16:13 |
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You could also try looking for an older Kawasaki Versys. Put some somewhat-offroad-ish tires on it and it'd be a decent bike for gravel and B-roads, and still perfectly comfortable and capable of handling freeway riding.
BobintheMtns
> Mike
05/10/2015 at 23:29 |
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I had a Gran Canyon for a couple of years... seriously amazing bike.... Soooooo much fun, and also very economical (45-50 mpg), very robust engine, GORGEOUS sound, and having fuel injection on the ducati 904 motor is righteous. And (usually) they are so under-priced....
And speak of the devil: here’s one with only 17K miles- looks clean and has hard bags for under $3K.... http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/mcy/4995871261…
Here’s mine from a few years ago:
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Mike
> BobintheMtns
05/12/2015 at 14:02 |
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That’s not even that far from me (I’m in SE Michigan). Why must you tempt me so....
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BobintheMtns
> Mike
05/12/2015 at 14:07 |
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Do it! Seriously, the gran canyon’s are such epic bikes.... and a asking price of only $2700 for fuel-injected ducati 900 enduro?? Ridiculous!!!
Alex Zapata
> BobintheMtns
05/13/2015 at 19:38 |
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Would you really recommend such a bike, I’ve seen them super cheap, but always been put off by the (relatively) old italian design/manufacturing.
I’ve always figured they are cheap for a reason...
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BobintheMtns
> Alex Zapata
05/14/2015 at 15:04 |
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I would, and do, recommend Gran Canyons. They’re seriously sweet bikes. And the ducati 900 air cooled motors are actually really robust- and like I said, adding fuel injection to it just makes it that much better...
We were discussing why GC’s are so cheap on another site not too long ago, and I think it boils down to people are hesitant to get involved with an Italian bike that parts-wise, is kind of an orphan now. And I get that, but in reality, all the parts are still pretty much available. 90% of the bike (just like every Cagiva) is just off-the-shelf ducati components. Other stuff can sourced elsewhere, and there’s GC chat boards that have figured out where/how to get everything else (usually if it’s not a Duc part, it’ll be a husquavarna part). The only real issues are the plastic body panels. But you can still find extras on ebay, chatboards, etc with a little searching....
Now regarding the design— yeah, it’s a Pierre Terblanche design... so some of the styling is kinda funky- but only the front end... (the rear with the dual exhaust looks and sounds epic) I’ve seen people add off-road lights to the front end and it totally changes the look... But I still didn’t mind it- especially when you drive it. It seriously is one of the greatest bikes ever. I promise!
When I sold mine (an act I still regret) the first guy who looked at it came back from test-driving it with the biggest shit-eating grin I’ve ever seen. His only words were, “let me get my checkbook.”
