The New Plan

[WildGoose]

right, as part of the whole road riding re-think stuffs...

i want a second bike for every day use, so i can be more sensible, and more comfortable

the CBR400 would be far better retired to 2AM blasts round heathrow's hooligan estate, and track days

past 2 weeks ive read more bike reviews than ever, and have decided that i want to go down to single cylinder, road biased trailie route, average 50bhp, softly sprung, designed to take british winter abuse (give or take) gentle green laning ability, and comfort (ish)

the shortlist goes something like:

Aprilia Pegaso 650
Honda Dominator
Kawasaki KLR/KLX 650
Yamaha XT600
Suzuki Freewind
Suzuki DR

i have looked at all/most of the others and dismissed them if i have read about serious problems, the above do have their problems but seem to me like the best

and before anyone suggests others, i would like to point out i dont want more dedicated trailies, like DRZ, KMX etc, because i intend to get one of these at a later point, so the above list is enough thank you

bearing in mind i will always buy what i want, i wont deny that their is some aesthetic importance in the bike, for example the pegaso and freewind are much nicer looking than the others, and altho this isnt the be all and end all it is a consideration

rather than looking for a conclusion from people, im just looking for any general knowledge. suggestions. problems with the above bikes? please note i have considered V twins, but would like a single cyl this time round (Africa Twin isnt gonna work out )


im saving now, so by the time my restriction and winter is on its way, then i should have around 2-2.5k to spend, with a bit of tweaking, loaning, bank robbing etc

cheers for any points
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[Sparks!]

One thing goosey..

[WildGoose]

slower is the key, im 19 im never gonna be sensible, but the worst G has got on his DR is a neighbourhood nuisance or whatever, that beats <insertstupidmotorwayspeedwithcopchase>
____________________
So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[Sparks!]

[WildGoose]

its less likely to get you points old chap, and stands to be a hell of a lot more fun for those industrial estate sundays

but it is gonna be required to do the round the countries slog, which is why i have gone for lots with road fairing bits + screens, i cant imagine your WR being much fun 90 miles london to portsmouth in winter

but i'll definately take a test ride, still havent got a clue whereabouts down here you are from?
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[Sparks!]

A WR doesn't do 90 miles well, more so the seat

But gives you an idea of the fun motards are..

I'm in Drayton, Cosham - PM me if your down portsmouth and want a test ride some time, although can't be for a week or so due to insurance reasons.

For the £2.5k you mentioned then I'd suggest a husky TE610 (or SM610 factory supermoto version) they are great bikes, I'm looking at one also for commuting so they are a good commutery style motard, but they still need a bit of looking after etc.

You might just get an older ish KTM LC4 for that much money although might cost a bit to run.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Demonic69]

A mate has a translap for commuting, he thinks it's great but still prefers his VFR800 (or his old 750). I'd personally say the VFR750 but you have a funny idea of responsible

Such as : Veefer
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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[Git]

Dominator for me please.

[Kickstart]

Hi

If you want something fairly well made, if not that exciting to look at then how about a BMW F650?

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Robby]

Not the freewind - someone in one of the mags had one a while back and got about 32bhp out of it ona dyno.

I'd say dominator, dr600, or flr650 out of that lot. I wouldn't expect too many stoppies out of these though. wheelies should be good.

For the XT600 would it be the plain one or the tenere? I'm pretty sure the Tenere has a nice big fuel tank and is more comfy than the standard, which would suit your mileage.

[cagiva gezzer]

BMW, as the others you listed are not that nice IMO. The BMW uses the same 5 valve engine as the pegaso, so they both have the nicest engines, but the pegaso is prone to corrosion and bits falling off.
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"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

[G]

For what you want, I'd go for the KLR650 (not 600) probably.

Personally I don't like the more fake trailies, like the pegaso etc.

The dr600 at least is more like a proper trail bike, it's got a dry weight of 134kg (less than my rs250) and not much power, but a really flat torque curve.
It defeinitely struggles on motorways, not giving that much over 75 or so. Petrol tank isn't massive and air cooling isn't ideal for traffic.

The KLR weighs a bit more, but could do about 160 miles to a tank I think. The KLR is a half way house between the fake trailies and the proper ones. It won't really get over 100 and isn't fun over 90, but is fairly fun low down and will get to that 85-90 quick enough.

Personally I would be looking at spending £1000 to £1500 for a good one. Paying more will get you a supermoto like yams suggested, but some of them you're talking getting near the power of your CBR with lower gearing.
Generally a lot less practical than something like the KLR.

Hopefully should be sorting out the DR sometime soon, blag a go if I do (including some motorway).

[Kickstart]

[map]

IMO if you're after an everyday bike then go for quality. You don't need the hassle of it failing.
So that'll be the Honda or the BMW GS then
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[stinkwheel]

I would go for the XT 600 (or XTZ660 if you can stretch to one) then the KLR650. Suzuki build quality is crap, it will rust away, the freewind is an underpowered road bike, the DR has some offroad ability if you are prepared to keep it clean and inside when not in use.

Honda is more road orientated, don't know about the aprillia.

Anyone I know who has bought a funduro has been bored with it within six months.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[hellkat]

If you go for the XT600 make sure you don't get the version that beeps when you use the turn signals (or am I the only knobhead daft enough to get a bike that does that?). In the short time I had mine, I used to sound like a reversing bloody lorry every time I turned a corner and I'm sorry, but its NOT loud enough to make cars more aware you are there (unless they have their window open) - although pedestrians stare a lot more. Bloody nuisance, beeping indicators.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[yambabe]

Can only advise you on the 2 bikes of this type I have experience of (and even that isn't pesonal).

I have one mate who has a Pegaso 650 and can confirm that yup, they are very prone to corrosion. In fact his has been off-road all this year as the exhaust system has dissolved - literally just rusted away - and he can't afford the £600 or so to get it replaced yet.

Another mate has a KLR 650, rides it all year, all weathers, says it's fairly low maintenance and great fun. Can't be too bad cos my other half sometimes borrows it to go out & play with the traffic!

As a cautionary note re the police though, I don't know about where you are but in Manchester they have a couple of police trailies (mainly for catching idiots on field bikes or stolen bikes who go off-road I believe) and these guys can go ANYWHERE after you. You can't tell they are police til you get up close either, as they have the proper hooloigan gear on, para boots, desert sand combat pants, black jackets, helmets with peaks etc. The only sign that they were police was a tiny little "police" and black-and-white band on the back of their helmets.
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Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[Sparks!]

I NEVER thought I'd actually say this but a MuZ Baggy would be perfect for you really - I happen to know of someone selling a decent one for £2500 too.

They can be very good bikes and are reliable, long service breaks, not bad for motorway etc and relatively cheap for what your getting - reliable etc and would seem quite perfect for you.

PM me if you want detials of the one for sale.
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[WildGoose]

thanks for all the good points people
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976