Help Scotty decide on an Expedition Moto...

[cobblecrazy]

I don't know if I can be of much help, but I'll give it a try. I have had a XR650R, XR400, KLR250, BMW 650 Dakar, BMW 1150 Adventure, and several street bikes. Currently I own a BMW 1200 GS Adventure, and, while I've never been to Tierra del Fuego, I have put some miles on each of these loaded/unloaded off/on road.

If I wanted just an off-road set up, I'd go with a XR400 with a desert tank, Baja Designs dual sport set up, and a small rear tray from www.xrsonly.com. A street capable/off-road capable (if your going small) w/bags I'd seriously look at the 650 Dakar (some good used on www.ibmwr.org in the marketplace) w/some additions from www.touratech-usa.com.

On the other hand I have always been amazed where my GS Adventures have gotten me. A little work at it and it's not hard to test it on the off-road. Take a look at the Long Way Round video if you want to take a look at what these can do.

Lastly, if you go new look at the new BMW G650 Challenge. You can find a good story on it at http://www.touratech.de/new/main.php?aktuellid=180

KLR's have always been a choice of adventurers, but I have heard of some reliability issues. My 250 was okay, but I liked the Honda line better.

Hope it helps with the decision.

 

[goodtimes]

I dunno about the G650 X Challenge. Feels kind of "dirt bikey" for adventure travel, IMO. Great suspension, great ground clearance, ~75 pounds ligher than the F650's, which are pigs (my f650 is pushing 500 pounds with empty bags). I suppose a good seat would help....but I would be inclined to avoid it for multi-week trips.

I say you give in and get that KLR before someone else does. Even when you aquire a F800GS next year (you know you want one!!!!), you can keep the KLR for other staffers who go on the misc. trips.

 

[Hltoppr]

If you don't pick up that KLR...would you tell me where it is!?

Seriously...great deal on a great bike...

Get it, ride it for a year, and sell it for $4K


-H-

 

[Marrakesh Red]

The view is awesome. Lights silhouetting Thumb Butte out the window right now. The wind is another matter. Gusted to about 50+ mid-day, a few trees down today that I could swear were not there yesterday, and we ended up pulling the top down about 2pm because we were getting tossed back and forth (stuff falling off shelves and such) :yikes:.

Overall an awesome place though. We spent a couple hours yesterday and today hiking around on the trails and road network up here.

-e

the kind of bike that will never let you down
MR

 

[goodtimes]

One of those would look good in my garage.

(BTW, I attached a thumnail to your post because the hot-link wasn't working for whatever reason).

 

[Scott Brady]

Any thoughts on the DR650?

Sorry for the slow progress guys. I am in the middle of adding resources and managing recent opportunities for Expeditions West, which is taking lots of time.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Any thoughts on the DR650?

Sorry for the slow progress guys. I am in the middle of adding resources and managing recent opportunities for Expeditions West, which is taking lots of time.

Co-Worker of mine circumnavigated OZ with one! With ZERO problems!

Awesome bikes, built like brick $&%# houses!

Not the latest and greatest, but a very nice bike and very reliable!

Also, the lowest seat height of the bike thumpers!

 

[goodtimes]

Scott, IIRC the DR650's are air cooled. In AZ summer temps, this might be a problem. Or it might not....it will greatly depend on how much summer time riding you do in locations where you are likely to be sitting in traffic.

You don't hear many complaints about them though (other than not having a magic button).

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

You don't hear many complaints about them though (other than not having a magic button).

I might be mistaken, but the few i have ridden had them!

Could be wrong though!

 

[Scott Brady]

The one I am considering has the magic button and is air/oil cooled. A 2007 model.

 

[goodtimes]

I might be mistaken, but the few i have ridden had them!

Could be wrong though!

reeeeealy.....I thought they were all lacking the magic button. Not much to complain about then, is there?

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

The one I am considering has the magic button and is air/oil cooled. A 2007 model.

Then there ya go!

They have a huge amount of aftermarket goodies available for them too!

 

[SOAZ]

The one I am considering has the magic button and is air/oil cooled. A 2007 model.

Scott,
I wonder if the new dr is actually another collaboration with Kawi? Can someone chime in as to whether the new dr650 is actually a Klr or something??
Either way good bike! Heavy for a trail bike, but lite as can be compared to a beemer!

 

[Speaker]

The "new" DR is the same as it's been since 1996. Just new plastics. I had a '92 and only got rid of it to get a faster bike. It's a great "expedition" bike though.

Right now I have a Husaberg, but would love to have another bike for long distance.

I don't have much money, so my list would look like:

XR650r
DR-z 400e
XR400
DR650

 

[HMR]

Any thoughts on the DR650?

Scott- This thread has everything you could hope to know but will probably take 6 months to read it all.:Wow1:

I came REAL close to buying one this summer and getting a hitch mount to carry it on my Tacoma. The bike is great but it was just too heavy for my particular idea. I'll probably go with a Yamaha XT225 (or the new XT250) if I decide to carry a dinghy on the back of my land yacht.