Reliable SM for big mileage

[STONEY!]

Fmx or xt660 for commutermoto, seen both with over 100,000 on the clock on original engine's and most major components. The fmx was still on its original clutch.

[G]

With rider and kit, both are probably no more than 5% lighter than his current bike, yet are significantly less suited for the job at hand.

[STONEY!]

Oh and both were used to commute from near Portsmouth to central London every day and couriered all day.

[STONEY!]

Yes G but that wasn't really what he was asking for. All though I did miss that he doesn't like the 660.

Fmx650 looks cool(ish), does 70 comfortably and will do it all day every day for a long time with little trouble, good on fuel luggage is easily available...

[STONEY!]

Also fmx is fairly low so ticks that box too.

[Stewie]

Also in the sub 4k range is the Aprilia Shiver and the Dorsoduro
https://www.motociclismo.it/cache/articoli/9/2/3/8/aprilia%20shiver%20e%20dorsoduro.jpg_650.jpg
the Dorsoduro would get my vote out of the two, but I think the shiver would be more luggage freindly

[Irn-Bru]

Would not want to do big miles on any supermoto really. My DRZ is good for 300 mile days out, could definitely tour on such a bike there's just so many better choices I suppose. My 690 was a much more suitable bike for longer distances, has the power at the top end, pulls from 100 no bother while the DRZ struggles to get there in the first place. But not a bike I would trust at all, too many electrics to worry about and plenty of reliability issues. There was a British couple meant to be touring Europe on 2 of the enduro models and they just kept breaking down, never heard anything for a while probably traded them in and bought something more suitable
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[tactical_pancake]

I had a bit of a look yesterday at the BMW G650X, the battlestar galactica one. Although it does look lots of fun and the engine has quite a punch for the weight I did hear a few reliability issues which does worry me a little. Although the swapping of parts from the range does sound useful.

DRZ looks great fun but from reading owners threads, and lots of aftermarket, but they don't seem to expect them to last for big mileage. Dorsoduro I had a good look at being a twin, it's a bit heavyish though and I seem to remember reading a few electrics issues and it's italian.

I'm currently thinking I'll probably go for either an FMX650, WR250X or a new CRF250M. Also realistically I'm most likely to stick to the jap big 4 manufacturers for the backup as I'm no good with spanners.

There are quite a few reports of guys with CBR250s with 30,000 miles plus with no issues, and that is the same engine as the CRF, so 50K miles doesn't seem unreasonable. Only thing is I'm not sure if there is enough power to pull the skin off a rice pudding, I've heard figures between 18-22 hp which is around the same as my DT and not sure about doing any hauls on motorway with that, it doesn't sound like much of an 'upgrade'. And the engine does sound a bit wimpy.

The WR250X does look a lot more fun to ride than the CRF, and has a sixth gear up to 90 or so, so I could imagine it would run quite lazily at e.g. 60mph. It has long service intervals for the valve check (26K miles), so suggests it might last quite well, but I haven't been able to google any high mileage examples. Very nice looking, perhaps most likely to attract tea leaves of the 3.

FMX is a very low state of tune which bodes well, and I've read quite a few making it to 50K miles with the dominator which is the same engine. Although looks like it needs regular oil changes. But the engine does sound real good. And it is geared for 95mph or so, so shouldn't be that stressed being held at 60-70? Very cheap too at around 2.5K, versus 3.5K for the other two bikes. Fuel efficiency not great and a small tank range, but not the end of the world.

[tactical_pancake]

Bit of a bump on this thread, but thought you guys might be interested I found a nice WR250X in the end.

https://i61.tinypic.com/2pt3z2p.jpg

I really like it. It's *really* light, feels lighter than my DT (think it is 136kg wet weight). And what surprised me is the engine is pretty loud and growly, even on the stock exhaust. I thought a 600 would sound better but this rocks.

Took a day or so to get used to the engine, and I had to adjust the brake pedal, but now it's all cool. Speedometer seems to seriously overread (at least 5mph) so I'll have to calibrate it / see if the previous owner has changed the sprockets.

Seems to cruise very happily in 6th at 60-65 on the clocks on the M5, which is probably 55-60mph. It seemed to manage 90mpg(!!) over 75 miles or so loaded up with me and a big backpack. I might be off there with the calcs, but it was £3.30 for 50 miles using google maps for the distance. And it managed about £3.80 for 50 miles in more mixed riding.

Only thing to watch out for with the skinny front wheel (110) and the light weight it is really suspectable to wind. I went across the severn bridge yesterday and was having to lean at a real angle just to go straight because of the cross winds.

Even though it's a 2009 and has a little corrosion I'm glad I went for it even over a new CRF250M which I fear may have been a little too wimpy in the HP department.

As for mods I'm already thinking handguards, 3 gallon tank, sprocket change and luggage rack for my givi topbox. And maybe heated grips and sheepskin for my bum.

[stevo as b4]

I do quite like these bikes, and have always said Yamaha should put the same motor into the YZF125R to make a 250cc bike before the 33bhp class went out of the window.

The only bad things with these Yamaha's is that they cost way more than they should, they are ridiculously expensive with no good reason, and thus I don't believe they've sold many here.

Also it's a 250cc single cyl motor supposedly based on the WR250F completion bike, and they make just over 30bhp and rev to 10k rpm or just over. They also feature titanium valves apparently to facilitate this, and so it does sound like a fun revvy motor, but maybe it's still a bit short fused as a high mileage road bike ridden all day at 70mph or more with luggage and in hot climates?

Having said all that the old KLR250's used to make 28bhp and would rev about the same, and they were considered pretty robust and even used as army bikes I believe.

[stinkwheel]

It appears they have a 3,000 mile service interval too.

I'd expected it to be much shorter. Probably could do some euro touring on it if you service it before you leave.

Next question will be how long a back tyre lasts!
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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.

[tactical_pancake]

[Fladdem]

Nice!

I like them. By the way they are nothing like the WR250F, except by name. Different frame, gearbox, engine, I believe the R's have 4 valves, the F's have 5. The F's are 5speed, the R's are 6. Nice and reliable though, I wouldn't worry about massive journeys. I do them on my 250, I just avoid sustained constant throttle, just let off every now and then.

If your body can cope, do it. They sound like decent mods for it.

EDIT: I wouldn't go by the service scedule. My TTR holds 1.2 litres of oil, I think, the book says change the oil every ten hours or every 1000KMS, for competition use, I tend to change it around 1500KMS, I like to think I'm gentle with the old girl. That engine is in a higher state of tune, I would suggest every 1500 miles. Unless it holds a lot of oil, in which case it won't become contaminated so fast.
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Current:1991 Honda MT50 (Soon to be a H100/MTX/MT5 hybrid), 1976 Honda Cub C70, 2005 Honda Varadero 125, 1993 Yamaha TTR250 Open Enduro , 2010 Road Legal Stomp YX140, 1994 Honda CRM 250 MK III, 1999 Cagiva Mito 125, 1992 Honda CB400 Super Four, Stomp T4 230, 1984 Honda H100s, 2009 Sym XS125K
Past:2003 Aprilia RS125, 1982 Kawasaki GPZ550(FREE BIKE!)
I'm having more fun than a well-oiled midget.