Recommended Enduros?

[Jayd]

Hi all,

I'll be looking for a new bike shortly, but I'm a bit unsure of what to go for.

I would like:

- An enduro/supermoto that I can get a second set of wheels for, so I can use for off road and have road tyres also.
- A smallish cc (600 at most really)
- Something that doesn't really need a dealer to service, and is quite low maintenance (I say low, but as long as I don't need to drop oil and adjust valves after every ride, I'm not too fussed!)
- Something reliable (Electric start as a luxury, but kicker will do)

So, what do people recommend? I'll be mainly using it on the road, but will be wanting something that can be competent off road, and won't break when I drop it

Thanks.

[G]

What sort of road use, any long distance?
What budget?

[Jayd]

Wouldn't really be going any sort of distance, maybe about 50-80 miles in one go at most. No motorway work though, obvious reasons.

Budget I'll say, about £3000 or thereabouts, but for that sort of money, will be wanting something pretty pampered. Anything upto £3k really.

[G]

If you don’t mind taking it easy, motorways and distance are still do-able; I’ve recently done 2000 miles around the UK on my KTM690; which weighs probably about the same as DRZ400S, yet has quite a lot higher spec. (And this was often sitting at 80-90mph, but I was up-geared.)

Anyway, £3k gives you a pretty decent range of options.
If you can find one, I go for a late model Husky TE610 – however these seem to be incredibly hard to find second hand unfortunately. The Husky has a wide ratio gear box, decent suspension and a well-thought-after motor.
Obvious choices are the DRZ-400S (E model is a bit lighter weight with a tad more power) – however I’d go for the CCM404, which uses the DRZ engine, but loses a bit of weight and gets better suspension and brakes etc.
The XR400 is along similar lines, a little lighter and lower powered, kickstart only, but a simpler engine design.
DR600 (and KLR600) are kickstart only, but same weight as the DRZ-400 with a bit more low-down grunt, though about the same top-end.

KTM LC4 based models; the lighter weight off-road models seem to be quite hard to find in the UK, I’m not sure if they were previously officially imported (they are now in the latest 690 form).

Of course, with that budget you could consider going for two bikes; maybe £1300 on a 200cc-300cc 2 stroke enduro, then £1700 would get you anything from a DRZ-400 to a TDM850.

[byke95]

Sorry Jayd, kinda off topic...

G - are you planning on writing a review of the KTM 690 (quick search found nothing)? I'm thinking of selling my fireblade fighter and getting one (hoping to book a test ride but my local dealer isn't so local!)...

[G]

At some point, but haven't got around to it yet.
You're welcome to blag a go on mine if you want to try it on some dirtier stuff - but even further to come (though may take it down to gingers at some point).

As with my previous point - I'd keep an eye out for a second hand late model TE610 and snap one up if you're looking for this sort of bike - unfortunately I could only find one, a very good price but was written off when a car drove into it two days before I called up .

[byke95]

[Jayd]

Cheers for the reply. I'm guessing you have the 690 SM? Is that the same engine as the new Duke? Is it any good? Depending on insurance and cost, I may have a look at a new 690...

[G]

I've got the 690 enduro (similar to the SMC) - it uses the same engine as the duke and SM. I do have supermoto wheels for it as well.

As above; given the choice I'd find a second hand TE610 as don't think the premium for a new bike is worth it for the difference. Older versions of the KTM and other bikes are still a way away. There's the seminal XR650, but that's a lot more rough around the edges.
Lots of good things about the KTM and new bike against new bike I'd still go for it over the 610 (I did test ride that, as well as the G650) for a few reasons.

[Jayd]

Cheers again for the response. Just had a quick look through the 'Trader, no sign of a 610 . Like the Dukes, but insurance is a bit too much at the moment. Got a quote on a 350 EXC, which was good, but thinking it may be a little too small... What alarms do they fit on the 690's G? I can look at getting a quote then

[G]

The EXC is a 'proper' enduro bike (as opposed to my 690 Enduro, which is a lot more road biased) and is a fair bit higher strung.
Though not sure what model a 350 EXC is - nut a current one, I'm pretty sure.
I had a KTM350enduro (a proper enduro, confusing, isn't it) 2 stroke, which was the pre-runner to the EXC series, but that's a very different beast to something like the 690.

I'm don't think any alarms are offered as standard; however not a big problem to fit most models after if you wanted.

If you don't really need the power (I got it for doing distance, comfortable crusing), then I reckon it'd probably be best to stick to a cheaper bike - maybe one of the 400s if you can't find an appropriately priced 600cc+.
The BMW G650X-Challenege is worth considering and can be got at ok prices second hand, but adds a bit more weight, making it less good for off roading... how much off-road experience have you got?

[Jayd]

In all honesty, I've only done a few local rough roads, it's sadly lacking. It is something I want to get into more though, and I'm a bit too tall for sports bikes, I've currently got an enduro, and it's a lot comfier than the RG I used to have. I think I would rather have something that is more road orientated, but can cope with the off road side of it.

I can only really afford one bke because of insurance reasons, I like the look of the KTM and the like, and even the old Honda XR's are appealing. I would like something that is pretty new though, to try and keep maintenance headaches to a minimum. I'll hopefully be lucky enough to not need it for commuting regularly, so it needs to be reliable enough to start when I need it to (it will be living outside undercover).

[G]

Just asking on experience because weight is going to be more important the less experience you have.

Dakar rider race bloody heavy bikes at stupid speeds, but they have an awful lot of experience and skill.
The less experience you have, the more useful it is to have a lighter bike on the muddy stuff.
If you're considering a new KTM, then two lots of insurance on cheap bikes isn't going to break the bank.

Age and maitenance needs shouldn't have to be linked - look for a well looked after example in the first place and if you're riding it only occasionally, it shouldn't be any bigger problem than on a new bike.