Which bike should I go for?

[theroadrunner]

Hello,

I'm now living in panama (formerly UK) and am looking for either one or 2 bikes to fill a few rolls.

A. I'm looking for something to explore the country on day trips possibly with another rider on the back. (roads are some good, some bad, tarmac and dirt with some potholes etc)

B. A bike to do some trail riding/offroad type stuff.

So I was considering:

1. Kawasaki Versys - I read some very favourable reviews in magazines, seems perfect for exploring panama, can cope with bad roads but not at the expense of handling and power such as a klr. Just gotta put a bad over its head.

In this case I would get a proper motorcross bike such as kx/ yz etc.

2. Suzuki Drz 400S- To fill both rolls, I could ride around and explore on it but also ride the trails. Now im not sure if this is a good idea. I was thinking this bike would have a low tank range and be uncomfortable on long trips. But also does it ride in torquey (front wheel lifting) way that proper MX bikes do?

What would it be like doing extended periods on the road?

3. KTM range.

I was looking at the 530 exc/450 exc... Would this bike be able to fit the touring role?

ktm supermoto's, are these like street bikes or could the cope with the exploring and bad quality roads?

The 690 enduro (690 adventure?) would this be suitable?

Any help is much appreciated because trying to draw conclusions in the dealerships on broken english is like pulling teeth.

Thanks,
Tom

[G]

If you've got the money and want to buy new, out of those I'd go with the KTM probably. All of the choices are going to be compromises.

The Versys is lacking in off-road ability quite seriously.

The DRZ400 is a trail bike with a low top speed and not a very exciting power delivery.

The KTM EXC range are highly strung and not designed to take a pillion.

The KTM690 weighs about the same as a DRZ400S, but has a bit wider gear range, has quite a lot more power and better suspension.
I've got a KTM690 enduro and so far I've done greenlaning, competed in my first Hare and Hounds race and travelled the length the UK twice (Reading - Land's End - John 'o' Groats - Reading, well except for the last little bit 'cos I got a puncture, so it was recovery as I didn't have puncture repair stuff with me).
However that doesn't mean it's the 100% ideal bike - it's not that comfortable, but a sheep-skin pad makes a big difference (I serveral times did 300 miles/5-6 hours in one go only stopping for petrol.) and more comfortable seat will be available soon.
The gear box is a little close-ratio; if you want to be cruising at over 70mph, you might want to consider upgearing; it still tops out at 107mph as standard, but sitting at 90mph when red-line is 107 isn't so great.

Along these lines, the Husky TE610 is definitely worth a look and has a wider ratio gearbox.
The BMW G650 is also worth a look.

I got the KTM because I want to combine distance with some sometimes quite serious off-roading.
If you don't want to combine the two, something like the Versys and then an Enduro bike like the KTM EXC - if it were me, I'd go for a 200-300cc 2 stroke personally. Not sure about second hand there, but decent examples can be picked up from £1k here.
These will probably be a lot nicer than the 690 if you're a novice off road; they are significantly lighter, which should make a big difference.

[theroadrunner]

[G]

The dry weight of the KTM is listed as 138kg, I think and that's accurate (had some one meausre it for me before I got it, so that's real weight no fuel). On the Suzuki site, they list the 'kerb weight' as 144kg (they recently changed to a lot more realistic weights listed) - so only slightly lighter than the KTM without the fuel.

The Honda XR650 is probably similar weight to the KTM fully fueled; DR650 a fair bit more; now listed as 166kg curb weight.

I'd go for a 2 stroke enduro bike because they tend to be not only lighter, but the lower cc engine has less rotational intertia; more imporatntly, I generally like 'em .
I've got a Husaberg 501 (similar to KTM525EXC etc), but want to try and swap it for a 2 stroke some time.

The power delivery of the 690 isn't quite like the hit from a motorcross bike - but then that's partly because motorcross bikes aren't geared for 107mph as standard.
The fuel injection does a good job of replicating the feel of a pumper carb, but isn't perfect. It has different settings for how aggressive it is, as well as a 'poor quality fuel' settings.

A 525 is a lot lighter and generally better off road - it will depend on your experience though - an experienced rider will probably be able to ride the 690 to not far off the level of a 525.
Less experience and the lighter weight of the 525 will be better; though a 525 isn't ideal for a begginer either (I want to get a 200 EXC 2 stroke myself, which is probably more similar to a 300-400cc 4 stroke as I rarely make full use of the power of my 501cc Husaberg.)

The service intervals for the KTM are 3000 miles, while I expect the other two will be 4000 miles and need slightly less doing for each one.

The EXC servicing will be measured in hours - with the 4 stroke a lot sooner than the 2 stroke (another good reason for 2 strokes).

[theroadrunner]

[G]

Yep, two strokes need less maintenance than four strokes - often the four strokes have service intervals at a third the hours the 2 strokes do. Some modern bikes like the Aprilia twin have longer stated service inrtervas; but not only is it recommended you do them quicker, you have do valves etc everytime.

The 690 would handle mx jumps - but better to stick to enduro stuff at the best; all these bikes are quire a bit heavier, so same with the DRZ, though the KTM suspension is probably a bit better (though not that long travel).

2 stroke enduro bikes are the best non-mx bike for this sort of thing, however.

THe KTM copes with two people fine; comfort is the only real issue (I had 108GPS/110mph indicated on my 690 with taller gearing).
The DRZ will struggle a bit more.

The KTM is better off road than the DRZ as stock in most situations; the KTM is good in that it has the best bits of stuff like the KLR as well as the DRZ.