Provocative ADVRider Thread....Topic Merged

[tntmo 887]

Looks like a cool bike, hope you enjoy it!

[Crawdaddy 96]

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364785

Interesting thread.......some of these guys get way to serious.......my $.02, "different bikes for different missions"......Bottom line to me, probably most of us, is I'd (we'd?) like to have about 5 or 6 bikes for off road!!!

My quick big to small list:

KTM 990 Adventure for BIG ROAD miles/LONG journeys (Welcome to Alaska)

KTM 950 Super Enduro just because.....well.....just because!!! (it doesn't make ANY sense...it's just sexy)

My KTM 620 for mid range fun with a slightly more off road flavor (FUN)

My KTM 520 for more stupid/technical pleasures (5MOH, Big Bear Run, etc., etc.)

KTM 300 "two smoker" for Glamis/Rock-a-tillo (light is right and 2 stroke power bands rule!)

Trials bike to goof around on......

My "road only" bike list is even longer

But, unfortunately, the vast majority of us don't have the last name of Leno (as in Jay Leno).....we can't have all the bikes we desire.......so we make compromises here and there based on what works for "us"......not what we read in rags/electronic threads, or what the other folks ride, or what other folks think we should ride.....motorcycling is an individual expression/statement.....another reason we love to ride whatever it is we choose to ride for a given mission

[bikeslut 1]

the OP calls a klr 650 a big adventure bike... he's obviously never taken a gs, strom, or 950 off road.

different horses for different courses... and most street bikes can ride fire roads and 2 track... I took my superhawk the whole length of bear valley.

if money was no object?

beta trials bike

2 stroke 300

tc510

te610

super enduro

and

a gold wing... there... I said it

[paulmbowers 236]

Ok, help me work something out.

I used to ride BMW street bikes- specifically a K100 and K75s. This was during bachelorhood- I LOVED hopping on the bike and heading to San Francisco on any of the great roads between here and there, none of them I5. I rode the mighty roads of Europe- Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy.

Then came marriage and child, and somewhere in the process I happily surrendered my bikes, reserving the right to buy a dualsport sometime in my future. Two years ago, I became the happy slave to my 525 (now 540) and have been doing the corral canyon/lark/plaster city, anza borrego rides.

Last weekend, I rode some stuff that was a lot more like the early days. Small roads that wind into the piney woods- Kitchen Creek, Thing Valley and other roads you'll have to ask Slut about. I LOVED it.

Also, reading Crawdaddy's Colorado adventure was pure motoporn. Nearly made me run down to the BMW dealer put a deposit on an 800.

Is it possible to ride my KTM for a few days on logging roads, dirt roads, backwoods, single tracks , some pavement without riding freeways for any long period?

Sure, I could trailer it to Colorado, or Ventura, or Utah. Or ride in small circles in San Diego County for a few days. But I wanna GO SOMEWHERE.

I HATE camping, and would be happy to ride with all my stuff in my Camelbak and one searing hot debit card. I LIKE nice hotels.

Anybody have suggestions?

fn

[Yeti 0]

Hmmmnn, I just don't get some fo the choices of people. Like, Bikeslut, why a 510 and 610? Are they that dissimilar? (Not picking on you, you just have the misfortune of posting before me. )

For me I could cover the range with:

A 1200GS or 990 Adventure

A 6xx Adventure, 690 SE or similar (XR?)

A plated 530exc or equivalent Husky, etc.

A two stroke 300

A classic Ducati, Triumph or Norton

The 1200 or 990 would be perfect for longer trips and daily commuting, the 6xx for shorter trips and Baja, the 530 for most of the off roading I do, the 300 for the occasional tougher rides and the classic would be for fun. Honestly, I'm not even sure I'd really need the 300. I think I could really be happy with three bikes.

Of course I'd love to have eleventy billion bikes, but . . .

[darylhunter 1]

Hmmmnn, I just don't get some fo the choices of people. Like, Bikeslut, why a 510 and 610? Are they that dissimilar? (Not picking on you, you just have the misfortune of posting before me. ) . . . <snip>

Yup, very dissimilar. The TE-250, 450, and 510 share a common dirt focused design, where as the TE-610 is much more street oriented. Perhaps more dirt focused than a KLR, not sure, but definitely less dirt friendly than the 510.

[bikeslut 1]

Hmmmnn, I just don't get some fo the choices of people. Like, Bikeslut, why a 510 and 610? Are they that dissimilar? (Not picking on you, you just have the misfortune of posting before me. )

For me I could cover the range with:

A 1200GS or 990 Adventure

A 6xx Adventure, 690 SE or similar (XR?)

A plated 530exc or equivalent Husky, etc.

A two stroke 300

A classic Ducati, Triumph or Norton

The 1200 or 990 would be perfect for longer trips and daily commuting, the 6xx for shorter trips and Baja, the 530 for most of the off roading I do, the 300 for the occasional tougher rides and the classic would be for fun. Honestly, I'm not even sure I'd really need the 300. I think I could really be happy with three bikes.

Of course I'd love to have eleventy billion bikes, but . . .

most of us (that aren't named Mimi) can do with one, or a couple bikes...

I got rid of my zx11, because as they say "its funner riding a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow"... and anything under 120 felt slow on that bike...

I got the strom THEN had a baby... those weeklong trips to Utah went away. I now have 3 bikes that are very similar but all of them can do what I now ride... half day, local trips

as far as the 610 and 510... pretty different; think RMZ and DRZ

[KTMrad 508]

I wouldn't say a 610 is more street oriented..........what I'd say is it's more dualsport oriented, more oil capacity for engine longevity, less maintenance than the 450's, 510's, which come from race designs. The 610 is still a very dirt oriented bike, just not a race design.

Same goes for the big KTM 620's & 640's and now 690's......those motors were bred for the Dakar Rally, with engine reliability and long distance riding in mind.

[RogerTOWM 0]

I wouldn't say a 610 is more street oriented..........what I'd say is it's more dualsport oriented, more oil capacity for engine longevity, less maintenance than the 450's, 510's, which come from race designs. The 610 is still a very dirt oriented bike, just not a race design.

The TE 510 and TE 610 are different bikes. I would say Randy put it best. Husky puts it that way also. They classify the 610 as a dualsport. The TE 450 / 510 are enduro bikes. I ride my TE 610 to work. That’s a 70 mile round trip. I wouldn’t do that on a 510.

[Yeti 0]

Hmmmnn, I just don't get some fo the choices of people. Like, Bikeslut, why a 510 and 610? Are they that dissimilar? (Not picking on you, you just have the misfortune of posting before me. ) . . . <snip>

Yup, very dissimilar. The TE-250, 450, and 510 share a common dirt focused design, where as the TE-610 is much more street oriented. Perhaps more dirt focused than a KLR, not sure, but definitely less dirt friendly than the 510.

Ah, now it makes sense.

[bikeslut 1]

Hmmmnn, I just don't get some fo the choices of people. Like, Bikeslut, why a 510 and 610? Are they that dissimilar? (Not picking on you, you just have the misfortune of posting before me. ) . . . <snip>

Yup, very dissimilar. The TE-250, 450, and 510 share a common dirt focused design, where as the TE-610 is much more street oriented. Perhaps more dirt focused than a KLR, not sure, but definitely less dirt friendly than the 510.

Ah, now it makes sense.

and stop picking on me... I am very sensitive; you could hurt my feelings...

if I had any...

I have a drz and an xlr... to me, they are very similar while being pretty different... I only ride my re-geared, knobbied drz to dirt rides... I ride the xr for rides that will include some dirt... either could easily be tweaked to be more dirt or street friendly

[Joliet 0]

Well actually all this discussion between the Husky 510 and 610 would make sense if he would have said TE510 but his origional post says TC510 which is strictly an open class motocross bike which is lighter and more powerful than the TE510 and not street legal, but possibly a green sticker bike. Ken

[RogerTOWM 0]

Well actually all this discussion between the Husky 510 and 610 would make sense if he would have said TE510 but his origional post says TC510 which is strictly an open class motocross bike which is lighter and more powerful than the TE510 and not street legal, but possibly a green sticker bike. Ken

So..Ok ...I need to wear my reading glasses.....never mind

[Jaynen 0]

Ok, help me work something out.

I used to ride BMW street bikes- specifically a K100 and K75s. This was during bachelorhood- I LOVED hopping on the bike and heading to San Francisco on any of the great roads between here and there, none of them I5. I rode the mighty roads of Europe- Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy.

Then came marriage and child, and somewhere in the process I happily surrendered my bikes, reserving the right to buy a dualsport sometime in my future. Two years ago, I became the happy slave to my 525 (now 540) and have been doing the corral canyon/lark/plaster city, anza borrego rides.

Last weekend, I rode some stuff that was a lot more like the early days. Small roads that wind into the piney woods- Kitchen Creek, Thing Valley and other roads you'll have to ask Slut about. I LOVED it.

Also, reading Crawdaddy's Colorado adventure was pure motoporn. Nearly made me run down to the BMW dealer put a deposit on an 800.

Is it possible to ride my KTM for a few days on logging roads, dirt roads, backwoods, single tracks , some pavement without riding freeways for any long period?

Sure, I could trailer it to Colorado, or Ventura, or Utah. Or ride in small circles in San Diego County for a few days. But I wanna GO SOMEWHERE.

I HATE camping, and would be happy to ride with all my stuff in my Camelbak and one searing hot debit card. I LIKE nice hotels.

Anybody have suggestions?

fn

While not on your probably time frame I feel like I echo your position, except I feel that I am a bit more willing to pack up some more gear and camp out. I am convinced that even tho its a small bike the WRR can serve my needs for tight stuff, and it works fine around town. But I long to have another bike that could more easily carry me and my wife when she feels like tagging along, or I can throw stuff in the dirt bagz and go somewhere for the weekend or a 3 day weekend.

I really want to go up to Oregon and ride in the mountains up there again since I grew up in the North West. I don't need to ride the gnarliest trails but I would love to do dual track, and logging roads, and follow powerlines etc and also get to visit my family without having to also be driving my 16mpg truck. Now that I have a dual sport I find myself almost irritated by having to load the bike into the truck. I feel like I am cheapening my experience and the point of having the bike.

That being said I am not up to riding from Oceanside to Corral Canyon on the WRR yet or farther points east and North

I was thinking about this topic this morning actually and how dual sports are supposed to be the swiss army knives of motorcycling and maybe more truthfully adventure bikes are, part of me wants to try many other types of motorcycles. Now that I have one and am growing used to riding on the street as well as playing in the dirt I entertain the notions of sport touring, or power cruiser, or cruiser, (just dont think id want the full on crotch rocket experience) but I keep going back to these adv bikes like the new 800 or the KTM 990s that I feel could probably give you a good 80-90% of the capabilities on road you would get normally with one of the other bike types. At least going legal speeds on the road and not a track.

[bikeslut 1]

you're right Jason;

a big KTM will keep up with most sport bikes, in "the real world"... a 990 probably makes 100 HP... and will go 140...

ony Banner ride with fn the other day, I was actually looking forward to catching some sport bikes; alas, my grudging respect for other drivers, and local residents (CHP, too) thwarted my plans...

[paulmbowers 236]

going back to these adv bikes like the new 800

See, that's not helping. It's like waving heroin in front of a junkie. Stop. Stop. I feel the wrath of my wife. Seen my wife? She's beautiful. I'd like too keep her. Add keep her happy.

fn

Maybe I can keep it a Slut's house. I know, Walker would help deceive my wife. Nah.

[bikeslut 1]

I'll pay for half of it and do all the routine maintenance if you keep it here...

does that help at all... exactly "how" beautiful is your wife, and what flaws does she possess that required her to settle for you?

eerie how I can go from nice guy to total dick in the same post, huh?

[Jaynen 0]

I feel the temptation too on the street but ever since I went to the track with my car I feel I know the place for exceeding those limits and while I would LOVE to dust some sport bikers at the same time I don't feel the need to get the tickets or risk the crash or other people in order to do so.

Anyone know what the maintenance intervals are supposed to be on the KTM 990 and the new bmw 800?

So what tires would you run? TKC80's or stick with something more road oriented?

On the upside theres probably a nice waiting list on getting the F800GS and maybe dealers are marking them up plus not so much american aftermarket support yet. These are reasons to wait

[DigDug 0]

Anyone know what the maintenance intervals are supposed to be on the KTM 990 and the new bmw 800?

My 950 calls for minor service (oil change) every 5000 miles and major service (oil, valves, carb-sync, etc) every 10,000. Not too bad actually. It's relatively easy to do, but time consuming due to the side mounted tanks and body work.

[Jaynen 0]

Anyone know what the maintenance intervals are supposed to be on the KTM 990 and the new bmw 800?

My 950 calls for minor service (oil change) every 5000 miles and major service (oil, valves, carb-sync, etc) every 10,000. Not too bad actually. It's relatively easy to do, but time consuming due to the side mounted tanks and body work.

So still not quite my WRR's 5000 mile oil change, 26000 mile valve check and no maintenance EFI

[bikeslut 1]

Anyone know what the maintenance intervals are supposed to be on the KTM 990 and the new bmw 800?

My 950 calls for minor service (oil change) every 5000 miles and major service (oil, valves, carb-sync, etc) every 10,000. Not too bad actually. It's relatively easy to do, but time consuming due to the side mounted tanks and body work.

So still not quite my WRR's 5000 mile oil change, 26000 mile valve check and no maintenance EFI

Jason- just my opinion... don't wait that long on either... riding it in corral is significantly harder on the bike, and you should adjust accordingly, and nothing sucks quite as bad as a toasted engine ...

my drz? 5000 miles; 4 oil changes and valves checked twice

TW- 900 miles; 3 oil changes

xr- 6500 miles (I've put on 800) and I'm changing the oil already...

my fzr had 26000 mile valve checks too, but I checked them every 10...

[Jaynen 0]

Anyone know what the maintenance intervals are supposed to be on the KTM 990 and the new bmw 800?

My 950 calls for minor service (oil change) every 5000 miles and major service (oil, valves, carb-sync, etc) every 10,000. Not too bad actually. It's relatively easy to do, but time consuming due to the side mounted tanks and body work.

So still not quite my WRR's 5000 mile oil change, 26000 mile valve check and no maintenance EFI

Jason- just my opinion... don't wait that long on either... riding it in corral is significantly harder on the bike, and you should adjust accordingly, and nothing sucks quite as bad as a toasted engine ...

my drz? 5000 miles; 4 oil changes and valves checked twice

TW- 900 miles; 3 oil changes

xr- 6500 miles (I've put on 800) and I'm changing the oil already...

my fzr had 26000 mile valve checks too, but I checked them every 10...

Yeah I am not going to leave it alone that long, but its nice to know the bike is built for that and I am being careful instead of the other way around.

[unclecameron 0]

1 UberPig...and about 5 friends to pick it up if you run off the downhill side of a trail I've been doing more single track up here in Oregon, but keepin' the helo guy's # handy if I drop it in a canyon. I'm probably the oddball (no comments Kevin) but this thing does most everything I need, and it doesn't break. So it's a little slower than a sport bike on the road, and slower than a DRZ for sure offroad, but it'll get you there, most anywhere, albeit slower, and you can still commute on it and do 1000 mile rides. Now if I could lose weight myself, I'll bet she'd handle better Definitely not for everyone, but does what I want to do...though I never see many of them on the trail...could be some sort of indicator. Only dropped it once offroad in about 5 thousand miles offroad, and that was riding snowy sidehill on a switchback which had ice underneath the snow, not sure how I got up that ok, but going down was another story...bike did snow angel doughnuts on the left cylinder until I caught it and stood it up, didn't even die. Did 2-up through Corral Canyon ok. On second thought, after reading my own post, be safe...get something lighter, oh, and don't try to go through a snowbank that's thigh deep, you WON"T make it, though you will make it to the middle, and no further, ask me how I know.

[Jaynen 0]

Sounds fun ;p