Recommend me a bike

[Korn]

Something along the lines of this big bugger...
https://www.bikez.com/bike/20422/index.jpg

However it needs to be much cheaper, simpler, smaller, lighter and not made by BMW. I am after a bike to go exploring on, which means it needs to cover everything from big open motorways down to tiny dirt tracks, be reliable, simple, as light weight as possible and able to take a few knocks. Budget is not fixed but I'd prefer to spend less than 3 grand on buying something and doing any work needed to make it suitable. So far inspiration is lacking so I'm after a bit of help, suggest something to look into?

Whatever I eventually end up with will also be my steed for a 6/7 thousand mile trip around Europe in a few months time, so it needs to be up to the job. Think twisty alpine roads, muddy Ukrainian forest tracks and miles upon miles of dead straight German autobahn. I need a proper all-rounder...
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3516 Miles, 11 Countries

[EuropeanNC30R...]

Anything with less than 100bhp is going to feel under-powered on an autobahn, if you want off-road ability you're going to have to compromise.

Any particular reason for not going for a BM? There's probably a reason why they are very popular over there... every second bike you see in the Alps is one.

I'd be thinking of something like an Yamaha XT600 if you intend doing much off-roading, or maybe a KTM 640 Adventure if you can get one for your budget.

[18_stuart_88]

From what ive looked for it all seems to be BMW bikes that are coming up for touring.

I eventualy found a Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom, which looks to be able to carry a lot of luggage and also doesnt look to heavy either. Im not to sure if it might be abit to fast for what your wanting it to do with it.

Ive attached a picture of one with luggage compartments attached.

Stu
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Make: Honda NSR 125 R Year: 2004 Colour: Black And Silver - Died on December 18th 2005, Layed to rest December 30th 2005 :(Make: Aprilia RS 125 Year: 2000 Colour: Black And Red - Derestricted Sold!
Make: Suzuki GSXR 600 SRAD Year: 1998 Colour: Red - White - Blue
Pic of My New Bike!!

[Method]

Doesnt look very suited for Off-Roading unfortunately.

I personally think that the BMW's are great touring bikes, this is of course without ever owning one. Like maurice said, there are lots of them for a reason.

Failing that i also agree that the KTM would be a good bet as they are great offroad. I know this from my Moto-x days, would have killed to have had one back then.

On a side note, ive heard the C90's are good offroad
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CBT Aug '03 ... Gilera GSM 50 ... Honda NSR 125 Aug '04 ...
Full Test Dec 04... Suzuki GS500 Jan 05... Suzuki SV650 Mar 07... Gixxer 6 K5 May 08... Oh and my 'Rado
My Bikepics.com - No Brakes, No Gears... No Fear.

[G]

KLR650 was always good on road (though max of about 100mph) and could just about handle off road, though a fair bit ladier than it's younger cc relative.
Transalp.

If it was me, I'd be looking at a BMW100GS (not that I've ridden one), presuming I couldn't afford the newer ones which are quite tasty.
The older ones should be pretty easy to fix, not that anything's too likely to go wrong around europe.

How much luggage are you taking?

From people that have them, stuff like the varadero etc can handle a slight muddy trail slowly a bit better than a sports bike- and can handle speed pretty well. TDM might be a bit lighter?

[Silver]

I've ridden a KTM 640 on road (at lowish speeds) in this country and in the desert in Egypt and it seemed a very good all-rounder (not that I'm the best qualified to be commenting in that department). My guide in Egypt said that they regulary take them into the desert for eight hours at a time and never have any problems with them.

[Korn]

Definitely not a huge as a Varadero or V-Strom, those two are much more suited to road-only use in my opinion. The two I've really been looking into are the Transalp and the DR650RS, though that version of the DR seems to be pretty rare. The KLR650 also looks good, but quite a bit more expensive.

Motorway use isn't the main priority, so I don't have any hopes of 100mph+ cruising or anything like that, just need enough speed to get by really. I guess something that could sit at around 80mph would be alright as long as it made up for it in offroad capability. Luggage would need to include camping gear so room for two decent size hard panniers and a space to strap softer kit to at the back.

Things like the KTM 640 and BMW F650 are pretty sweet bikes but out of my price range to be honest.
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3516 Miles, 11 Countries

[EuropeanNC30R...]

The F650's aren't that expensive if you look around at older ones...

With hard panniers
£1600

[G]

You can get KLRs cheaper if you go for older ones as well.

When I got mine that was £1k from a dealer - and no barganing down etc either.

Incidentally, I'd avoid the DR800, from a friend that had one it sounded like it was slower and heavier than the KLR650.

[Korn]

I did some looking into the KLR today. The US/Canada does look pretty good, 43hp and 152kg, 21l fuel tank... Can't find any over here though and the one we get is 10kg heavier and only has a 14l tank, wtf?
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3516 Miles, 11 Countries

[riichy]

what about one of these.....£2000 and its yours.....warm ,dry, comfy, lots of space...........
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.......... PLOD ............ zx636 2004

[Nb]

[Keen]

[G]

[Korn]

The Tengai is apparently the same as the A model KLR but with slightly lower suspension, and that big fugly plastic fairing up front. It's still got the large tank and lower weight though so not as bad as the UK market one in that respect.

If I could get hold of one I'd go for a 1996+ A model KLR650 I reckon, they sound pretty perfect from reading about them. As it is I think it's going to be a DR650, slightly more dirt oriented but also lighter with a simpler engine. There's a few aftermarket large tanks available for them, as well as other bits.

Which year/model DR was your old one G?
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3516 Miles, 11 Countries

[G]

Mine were around 87 - only the 600.
They came in a bit lighter still at 134kg dry, if I remember, but no electric start, as you know.

MY KLR was definitely a lot more road orientated than the DR, though I suspect the DR 650 will be somewhere in between. Can't remember, but think my KLR had six gears, it definitely had a higher top speed than the DR.

[Dave_ZedDragen]

[loply]

[carlnicholson...]

Your choices are really limited, especially with your budget.

The ideal machine would be a F650GS, or possibly a Transalp.

If you need a little more go, and could get by on road orientated tyres then a TDM 850 would be perfect. Don't just mock one if you see it, take one for a test ride. There a cheap, tough, simple, comfy mile muncher. Pig ugly, but I rode my mates and I'm seriously thinking of trading in for one.

Look around P reg or newer. These are the newer shape and are a vast improvement. I did a search on autotrader and found a mint 12500 miler with heated grips, scottoiler, full dealer service history and long MOT for £2450.


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"THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING."

[Zimbo]

I agree with the Yam XT600 or BMW F650.

[stinkwheel]

Africa twin. You see loads of Germans on them who then proceed to tell you they left Capetown on it last Thursday.

If it wasn't for the pathetic tank range, the KLE500 is pretty useful, hell of a lot comfier for road use.

You can do all sorts of shit on a KLR650, not so good on motorways though. Here's an article about my mates one:
https://www.saddletrampsforums.co.uk/Tramps/images/Bikes/KLR/KLR_OZ.htm
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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.

[carlnicholson...]

I own a 2005 KLE 500.

Don't bother, it's shit. It's shit on dirt, it handles like shit on the road, it has poor accelleration, and the brakes are diabolical.

Please someone buy it off me.

It is quite comfy though.
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"THOSE WHO RISK NOTHING, DO NOTHING, ACHIEVE NOTHING, BECOME NOTHING."

[G]

I found my KLR was ok for motorways. Maybe not flying down German Autobahns, but it would hold 80-85 and I just about saw an indicated 100 on there on the flat - though was having to use a bit of energy stopping the bars flapping.

[stinkwheel]

I think a lot of the problem with KLRs at speed are due to the massive, high level mudguard catching the wind. I am sure this could be altered.
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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.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

https://www.finiziomoto.it/usato/yamaha.jpg


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