Reliable SM for big mileage

[tactical_pancake]

Just looking for a little advice.

I'm looking for something above all reliable that will stand up to lots of miles (something that would be good for at least 50K, and preferably up to 100K miles). I realise that most supermotos are the opposite of this, and I'm just after that styling but without the high performance, so I can pose.

So my priorities are:

1) Reliability - Want to be out camping in europe, and not worry about breakdowns / lots of servicing
2) Ability to cruise all day happily at 70mph with no stress on the engine (I realise this is unlikely because of butt ache but worst case..)
3) That I like the looks lol (don't like XT660 / tenere / klr )
4) Not super heavy. If < say 180 kg wet weight would be good.

And then secondary:

5) Any luggage ability - half decent subframe that can take a topbox, or even some soft panniers (though I realise this is unlikely). I'm assuming I'll be taking most in a backpack.
6) Resistance to corrosion. Aluminium swingarm would be a bonus.
7) Ability to flat foot would be a bonus (I'm 5'9, ~32 inch leg, 11 stone).

So far my contenders are:

Honda FMX 650
Yam MT03
Yam WR250X
Honda CRF250M
Suz DRZ400SM

Really not bothered about power / top speed, just having enough for non-stressed cruising and reliability. I know other types of bikes are more suitable for touring (I already have a versys), it's just when I get where I'm going I prefer to have a SM to play around on.

I had a sit on a CRF250M yesterday at a dealers and they have them for 3600 new, and could flat foot it. 8K service intervals, so if ridden like a granny could it do big miles? Power is low though not much different to my current DT125, so maybe not up to motorway cruising.

Like the DRZ too but am slightly worried about doing big mileage on that engine? As for price ideally something < 4K.

[G]

The 250s will likely struggle to sit at 70 all day.
Not ideal for a single generally, to be honest.

A bit over your weight requirements and probably doesn't fulfil the looks you're after, but what about a versys or KLE500?

If I really wanted to stick to a single I'd go for the G650X - it's got a pretty proven engine with 6k service intervals, very reasonably low weight for SM performance and the X-Challenge stuff should fit for luggage and other farkles.

However, I think this would be a much better bet:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/18968307/pics/supermotogpz.jpg
Ticks EVERY box (wet weight is a little high, but about the same as the MT-03) - it also surpasses the 'pose' thing because people will immediately imagine what ever THEY think is a cool supermoto, rather than laughing at you for riding an MT-03/FMX .

[stinkwheel]

Like G. I think you're barking up entirely the wrong tree. None of those bikes are suitable for what you want to do.

Supermotos are for backroad scratching, not European touring.

I had an MZ street moto (XTZ 660 motor in a heavy but tricked-out ofroad frame with 17"wheels). It would sit and vibrate my bollocks off on the motorway for as long as it took to run the tiny tank out of fuel (which was far enough). You could tour on it but I wouldn't have wanted anything either smaller or narrower.

I also had a KLE500 with road wheels. Being a twin and having a small fairing, it was better on motorways but was still significantly less comfortable for distance work than other bikes, was a pain to luggage up and suffered from tank-range issues.

I would sugest what you are looking for is more along the lines of a lightly de-tuned sportsbike like a Hornet or Fazer, or even a CBR600F.

If you are loking for the motard style riding position and look. What about a Kawasaki versys? By all accounts they are a very capable light tourer.

For a reliable, light supermoto, you could do worse than converting a DR350 but they would be painful at sustained motorway speeds.
____________________
“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.

[tactical_pancake]

[G]

Noted the versys after I posted.

As an idea, the Versys weight is listed at 5kg more than an MT-03.
With a rider and luggage, we're probably talking under 2% total weight difference.
The FMX you're talking maybe 5% difference.

Why not just use that for distance and replace the DT with a light weight fun bike?

The G650X is the only bike I'd be considering I think (except that I wouldn't - I'd just get a bike suited to my needs ).
I've ridden the X-Challenge and that was fairly tall, but I believe the SM version was a bit lower - they also did an X-Country or something which was between the two and that was definitely lower.

Personal ancedotal evidence suggests big singles don't like being kept at high rpm for sustained periods (2x big end bearings gone, may just be coincidence - might even be 3x). Small bikes tend to struggle to do the speeds you want.

[tactical_pancake]

[P.]

Already have a Versys, I'd be using that.

Sod a journey on something offroad based.

[stinkwheel]

[G]

I'd take the BMW over the DRZ for reliability.

People have gone around the world on a KTM690 too, with half the service intervals. Hell, people have done serious distances on KTM competition bikes by just adding an oil radiator to increase the oil capacity.

But unfortunately you do want a bit moon-on-a-stick, expecting it to go for big mileages at high speeds AND having long service intervals. On that, I WOULD keep well on top of the servicing, what ever you get.
If you do keep to 70 and don't be tempted to sit higher, stuff like the G650 shouldn't be too bad - it's likely geared for over 100. My KTM was setup for 107mph, however with some upgearing I hit 108mph on the GPS with a pillion and luggage.)

A Honda EXP-2 sounds like an ideal choice.
Just unfortunate only a few where ever made.
(400cc 2 stroke Dakar bike.)

I don't think the DRZ400 is any worse for reliability than a DR350, but I suspect people expect a bit more of them - big end went on my DRZ, but that was too much time going faster than a DR350 could manage I suspect.

[tactical_pancake]

[G]

I've done 3000 around Europe on my 690 as well LetJoG round trip (well, got a puncture and finished it in a Fiesta.)

I specifically chose the 690 for it's light weight - but for off road purposes. (138kg before farkles, 60hp or so.) I did a chunk of off roading in Spain and would have done more if my clutch hadn't gone.

The way I saw it, I was choosing a bike that was 90% suitable for 10% of the time - but that was the most fun bit.

If I wasn't looking to do the dirty stuff, I wouldn't have made the sacrifices for the 90%.

When I get the crank sorted, I'd happily go around the world on it.
BUT, I wouldn't be doing it on the expectations you have .

[tactical_pancake]

[G]

It's the big service intervals added to that.

In the end, most bikes WILL keep going if you keep them appropriately serviced including what may be some fairly major engine work - ie big end bearings etc.

[karoshi]

Depending on budget how about:

KLE650 Versys
https://i.imgur.com/IhvumK9.jpg

Or being cheap: 90s Triumph Tiger 850
https://i.imgur.com/TuJvei2.jpg

There's a guy where I work that has been commuting every day on a tiger 850 for the past four years.

Neither are really light bikes but I'd guess they're both much more likely contenders for european mileage with luggage than any 250 or road biased trail bike?
____________________
Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it. - Elwood P. Dowd

[G]

[karoshi]

[tactical_pancake]

[karoshi]

how far off comfortable are you on the versys?

just found this auction on ebay for a lower gel seat.. 20mm down and 20mm thinner would make a fair difference?
____________________
Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it. - Elwood P. Dowd

[Stewie]

TE410e will fit most of the criteria your looking for, good strong engine and you can retro fit the top box rack from the 610, and with some soft luggage.
The twin pipe model is the street friendly one, and has the all important 6 speed box.


https://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y404/andrewjoro/D1FF89D8-8AFE-4ECF-9B46-15AED7434A6D-14460-00000973758CB741_zps52bd47fc.jpg

[tactical_pancake]

[G]

With his budget I'd go for an FI SM610 over a 410 - doesn't seem to be any real advantage for the 410?
But then, why wouldn't you add a bit more weight and go for the BMW for double the service intervals?
Incidentally, the TE610 has a pretty wide ratio gearbox (I'm presuming the SM is the same) - meaning you could upgear it a bit and still have decent low down power while not using too many revs for 70mph. I'd say out of the TE/690/G650 the KTM had the smoothest least-vibey engine, though the heavier Duke I first test rode was a little better than my lighter enduro model.

Forgot to submit this previously....
Piled up with luggage, it'll probably be a bit lower.

You could probably make it lower as it is (cut some out of seat, lower suspension. But; you're not short. Similar leg length to me, though I'm 5'11.6" according to the doctor's scales

So, instead, I'd make use of one of these...
https://goo.gl/gthuKM


Likely that the bigger bike could be setup to move as quickly as you move the DT - actually likely you just need to turns the bars faster .
Also suspect that the wheel base and bar width aren't too far off. (DT may actually be wider.)

[stevo as b4]

TDR250? after a full engine re-build?

DR800 Big? A very large and what I would imagine to be a pretty unstressed engine for high speed highway loping?

I do agree with the suggestions that a single cyl bike under 500cc will not really be suited to loaded up high speed use all day long.

A twin, triple or four cyl would be my choice for what you want to do. In the old days you could drop a cylinder and the bike would still get you home.

[G]

[bladerunner]

Good thing with the R60 is you could even change things like big end shells at the side of the road if you needed to!.....in my mind the OP wants 2 bikes......big miles at motorway speed is not small bike territory or SM territory either. I've never ridden a small duel sport bike that is good off road without a plank like seat
____________________
Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's

[G]

Older trail bikes are often a bit better - but yes, that's why I got a gel pad added to my KTM.

If the OP wanted to do off road in far away places, I could understand it more. But for road stuff I'm really not convinced the light weight is THAT important (and the favourite road bikes I've owned were the RS250s).