Getting out of the supersport scene... | GTAMotorcycle.com

Getting out of the supersport scene...

C

croco

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It's been a very long time since I posted on GTAM, but I figure some of you guys have a lot more experience than I when it comes to bike models out there. And I need some help. So here goes...

I just spent a month in Eastern Europe, of which two weeks were on a 1994 BMW F650 single. About 3000km in total, which is not much, but on roads that would have killed my GSXR600 and me in the process. I fell in love with that bike, and I am very strongly considering selling my GSXR600 and buying something similar to the F650. I say something similar, because the BWM had a few issues I did not like.

First, single cylinder is amazing when you're climbing mountain roads. However, a cruising speed of 110km/h max is painful. And while the bike could do 150km/h for short distances, it was scary. So I guess I'm looking for something with either a V-twin or parallel twin.

Second, I'd like decent brakes. The F650 I rode did not have them, likely because it was 20 years old. But maybe the two pot caliper contributed to the issue.

Third, I'd like something reliable. The Rotax engine in the F650 is the same as in the F650GS, and is bullet proof. But I had the voltage regulator die, the cam chain tensioner get stuck, and a horrible idle problem. Also, my throttle cable got broken (not stuck), and I rode 15 km to the nearest shop pulling straight on the cable, and the replacement part now is a bicycle derailler cable. Hey, you make do when you're on the road...

So I don't know what bike to buy because quite frankly I am clueless when it comes to enduros. Any suggestions?
 
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Best of both worlds. Look at the bigger sport touring/adventure touring bikes.
 
I really like the new DL1000 . Since they restyled it seems like a great contender. No vibes, lots of torque , great on gas. It doesn't seem to do anything amazing but it does everything well and you can go anywhere with it.
 
What's your budget? The F800/"F650" (there confusingly is a two cylinder F650 out there) has been around for long enough you could probably find a deal on a used one.

Otherwise I would second that you're making a strong case for a DL650.
 
OP if your weight is on the low side the CB500x is brilliant. It's very light and a transformer machine you can configure how you want....it's also cheap.
The ADVRider thread is up to 260 PAGES! for a model not long released.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=840842&page=260
Best demo ride I've had in a long time. The bike covers better ground towards all around riding than the KLR650 or the single BMW
430 lb for a nimble twin and insurance will be cheap on it.

Otherwise the Weestrom which has better suspension and a long design history. 50 lb heavier tho. It has more power and suspension has been developed over time.

Depends on how much time you are spending off slab. The Weestrom can tour very well and provide fun in the twists and closer in performance to what you are used to.

The Honda was designed to meet the newbie rider standards in Europe and Australia.

You could look for a used Scarver from BMW...very innovative bike.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_F650CS

There are a couple on Kiji just now
http://www.kijiji.ca/b-motorcycles/ontario/bmw-f650-cs/k0c30l9004

OP - these are dual sports not in any way shape or form enduros.
The singles like the KLR and the 650 BMW will do okay on off road forest tracks, marginal on single track and have to be "endured" - pardon the pun......on the slab. They do okay in mud and sand with the correct tires and can be picked up pretty easily..

The 650 twins do much better for slab and twist riding, have good brakes and reasonable performance but are marginal off road tho find on dirt roads and twin track - heavy in mud and sand to handle.

The whole class is very nice seating position for touring and commuting with upright neutral seating. Many require a third party seat upgrade for comfortable touring tho BMW seem pretty decent in that regard and often have a "lowered seat" factory option.

Your height and weight has a play in this. Light rider....the CB500x or the Scarver would be my advice - even the KLR650 given how durable and cheap they are..... - The CB500x can do just about everything reasonably well with its light weight and still has the twin design for better road/touring.
That's why it's been such a hit. That it includes ABS for the price is amazing.

Taller.stronger rider with some touring in the mix - the Weestron or one of the BMW twins.

If you tell us more about your riding intentions and the areas it would help.
Tap the off road forum as well for insight.
 
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I should have given more info in the original post. Basically I am 6tf, 85kg (190lbs) and I am planning on riding with luggage and maybe pillion of another 60kg. That's why the F650 was lacking in power, especially on slab as MacDoc called it. Once you were on dirt roads though, it was brilliant in spite of the weight.

I am yet to meet a bike I could not handle physically, so any seat height, suspension setup, etc is just fine with me. When the voltage regulator died on the F650, and the battery was flat, I could bump start it within 4-5 steps. :D And those who rode that bike know it's a HEAVY beast, especially with two Givi hard bags loaded to the max. I also rode a Honda 929 and 945 (thanks Julit), a ZZR600, a ZX6r, a Triumph Sprint RS955i, a Triumph Daytona 595, an SV650, an RZ350, an RD350, and other bikes. As you can tell, they're mostly sport, touring or standard bikes. That's why I am so clueless when it comes to off road bikes...

The budget is a bit of a sticking point. I have a MINT condition, 10 000km 2010 GSXR600 which is basically my budget. Call it $7000? I can throw in another $2000 MAX, but only if the perfect bike comes along.

Given my total weight, I think the CB500x is a too small. Also, the F650CS has exactly the same Rotax engine as my F650 or F650GS. I can recognize that engine anywhere. :cool: But it has the issue of belt drive, alloy rims and just about the fugliest design I've seen since the Multistrada.

The KLR650 and DR650 are definitely good options, in exactly the same class as the F650 but MUCH cheaper. I may just be able to keep my GSXR and buy one of these on the side. Too bad I don't have the time to ride even one bike properly, let alone two...

The DL1000 looks interesting, and I know the engine in the DL650 even better than the one in the F650. I put 30000km on one in my SV650. Bullet proof, great torque delivery, and with the proper sprockets it can climb vertical walls.

I guess I should mention the bike I came close to buying in Easter Europe was the Africa Twin. But it doesn't seem like it was sold in Canada. You guys certainly gave me a lot to think about, glad I posted here.
 
The nice thing with the KLRs is they hold their value and you can usually get them well equipped.
I'd certainly say with the extra info you are in the Weestrom range.
The litre version would be pretty hefty for any off pavement fun.

I agree the CB500x is not correct for your needs.

The headache is none of them will do it all. If I was to guess one to replace the sport bike and still meet your needs.....either the Weestrom or one of the BMW twins.
 
A friend of mine just picked up a DR650 and loves it! He's coming off a Kawi ZX-12. With your height, I'd look into one of those! Either that or find a DL1000.

good luck and happy shopping :)
 
How much weight can you handle? A lot of sport touring bikes are heavier and top heavy. I would like to recommend the Yamaha Tenere or BMW GS but they're both around 550lbs. Both are great but the Yamaha are cheaper.
 
Stay away from DR650, especially if carrying passenger and luggage, it'll just turn into a real grind in the wide open spaces of North America.
 
MacDoc said:
The nice thing with the KLRs is they hold their value and you can usually get them well equipped.
I'd certainly say with the extra info you are in the Weestrom range.
The litre version would be pretty hefty for any off pavement fun.

I agree the CB500x is not correct for your needs.

The headache is none of them will do it all. If I was to guess one to replace the sport bike and still meet your needs.....either the Weestrom or one of the BMW twins.
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That somewhat narrows it down. The BMW F800GS is expensive, but it's the best compromise in terms of capabilities.

XenoVibe said:
How much weight can you handle? A lot of sport touring bikes are heavier and top heavy. I would like to recommend the Yamaha Tenere or BMW GS but they're both around 550lbs. Both are great but the Yamaha are cheaper.
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As I said above, I have no problems with heavy bikes. The F650 I rode was massively heavy when compared to my GSXR, especially up top. But you adapt, and pretty soon I was running twisties without any issues. Look up the Top Gear episode where they drive on Transfagaraseanu, I did that on the F650.

inreb said:
Stay away from DR650, especially if carrying passenger and luggage, it'll just turn into a real grind in the wide open spaces of North America.
Click to expand...

Same shortcoming as the F650 I rode...
 
KTM adventure 990 is better than any of the mentioned bikes and you might find a used one in your price range.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
 
As I said above, I have no problems with heavy bikes. The F650 I rode was massively heavy when compared to my GSXR, especially up top. But you adapt, and pretty soon I was running twisties without any issues. Look up the Top Gear episode where they drive on Transfagaraseanu, I did that on the F650.
Click to expand...

It's not the twists where the weight is critical, it's a muddy stream on a forest track.
Australian's view of dual sports is far different than most here.
A Honda XR650L is their idea of a dual sport....324 lb and bags of tractor ability.
Ken will take this on a 10k jaunt around Australia - my KLR is hardly up to keeping on the dual tracks let alone the single track.

ScreenShot2013-02-26atFeb26201314032PM_zpsf7b5a64a.jpg


The KTM is a brilliant bike but it's still 500 lb plus to pick up if you are doing moderate off road and lose it.
In addition there is the issue of what tires to choose.

Croco - if you can swing it ( since the season is late anyway ). I'd grab a decent KLR650 and find out what's around to enjoy. Take it to Ganaraska or Pennsylvania and have some fun off pavement.
I think it's hard to decide without knowing what level of dual sport you are going to go after.

I CAN say the KLR for local plus some semi-serious offroad and the Weestrom 650 for touring and mild offroad are pretty decent choices.
My beef with the Weestrom is they seem over priced and the BMW even more so.

KLR riders tho have done some amazing world spannig tours.

But for twists etc the Weestrom or BMW adventure will be closer to what your are used to.
 
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