Dual Sport bug....

[zooom]

I can feel a front-end upgrade coming on 

http://www.emigracing.com/

preeeeeettttyyy!

[The Mad King Pepe']

I can feel a front-end upgrade coming on 

http://www.emigracing.com/

 

[ungeheuer]

DR done

[SpikeC]

 If you want to go Italian, a Freind of mine has this on the 'bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-Cagiva-Ducati-650-Elefant-/151042712037?_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&forcev4exp=true#ht_514wt_1021

 He really knows his stuff, too!

[IZ]

Nice work U! 

Went over to the Suzuki dealership yesterday to look at the DR 650 some more.  It will be mine!!

Told the wife I REALLY need a bike again now that we're in CA and I can lane split!!

[ungeheuer]

Nice work U!  

Went over to the Suzuki dealership yesterday to look at the DR 650 some more.  It will be mine!!

Told the wife I REALLY need a bike again now that we're in CA and I can lane split!!

Thanks IZ.

DR makes a great do-everything bike.  Its excellent at nothing but pretty handy at almost everything.  I like coz its cheap, cheerful and simple as can be.  Though "built-to-a-price" is painfully obvious in the torturous excuse for a seat... and the stock suspension, which is as ancient as it is wollowingly soggy.  

If I could only have one bike.....  [will I be I'll be run out of DMFland for saying this?  ] .... it would be the DR.

Although the new(ish) Husky 650 Terra is worth a look too IMO.  More modern for very little more $$$.  Husky guys will tell you its not a real Husky (and they're right), but they're also missing the point.  Its not there to be what they want from a Husqvarna, it's there to temp DR650 shoppers into a Husky dealership.

http://www.husqvarnamotorcycles.com.au/product.asp?pid=57&t=TR+650+Terra&cid=37

[IZ]

As I've mentioned before, I had a '97 DR350 back in Flagstaff. Perfect ride for that place!  It was my first bike and I wish I had kept it. 

[The Mad King Pepe']

DR makes a great do-everything bike.  Its excellent at nothing but pretty handy at almost everything.  I like coz its cheap, cheerful and simple as can be.  Though "built-to-a-price" is painfully obvious in the torturous excuse for a seat... and the stock suspension, which is as ancient as it is wollowingly soggy.

+1 on that all the way! I was seriously thinking about one as my first DS bike. I ended up buying an 05 BMW F650GS instead, but I still really like the simple, clean, time tested design of the DR.

Although the new(ish) Husky 650 Terra is worth a look too IMO.  More modern for very little more $$$.  Husky guys will tell you its not a real Husky (and they're right), but they're also missing the point.  Its not there to be what they want from a Husqvarna, it's there to temp DR650 shoppers into a Husky dealership.

I think the best part about the bike is the Rotax engine (reliable and fuel efficient): it's the continuation of BMW's G650 X-challenge bikes. Weight and performance wise, I see it somewhere between a Husky 610 and a BMW F/G650gs.

If I had to pick a DS bike today, it would be between a DR, a Terra or the KTM 690.

[Slide Panda]

the KTM 690.

Aw you're jealous, that's cute

[The Mad King Pepe']

Aw you're jealous, that's cute

I've got no problem admitting it's a very nice bike(*)!


(*) assuming it doesn't leave you stranded due to soggy electrical connectors are sealed or bad gas pump... 

[Slide Panda]

Seem the problem was that those connections WEREN'T sealed... wtf KTM wtf...

The pump thing really seems to be the fuel filter thing. Out of the factory they clogged up super fast, over working the pump and burning it out

[ungeheuer]

I think the best part about the bike is the Rotax engine (reliable and fuel efficient): it's the continuation of BMW's G650 X-challenge bikes.

You're spot on with the fuel efficiency. I have a couple of riding mates with X-Challenges and another with the F650GS...... they're amazingly miserly on fuel.  Its worth noting when considering max fuel range from what at first glance may seem like not overly large stock fuel tanks.  They get more out of less than I can on my DR.

If I had to pick a DS bike today, it would be between a DR, a Terra or the KTM 690.

Husky Terra or DR650 would be my dilemma.  KTM690 is a very nice bit of gear too, but a bit too "special" for what I want form a DS ride  .

[The Mad King Pepe']

You're spot on with the fuel efficiency. I have a couple of riding mates with X-Challenges and another with the F650GS...... they're amazingly miserly on fuel.

I get 60MPG easy (about 4 litres/100 km)  Worst I've seen is 50MPG (4.7 l/100km) in heavy traffic or hauling @$$ on the interstate ~75MPH And this is with "Regular" US gas (87 AKI , PON , (RON + MON)/2 ), no need for anything more except extanol free gas maybe...

With the US tank (16litres ~ 4gal) that's easily 200+ miles of normal riding. Euro tank does without some EPA filter crap and holds another liter or so (1 US quart), don't know about you guys down under.

The main negatives with the F650 are the weight (gas under the seat but battery and oil tank up high???), stock suspension (crap), and to an extent the importance of a good battery for the fuel injection (no push starting!). If I ever went adventuring in remote areas I would rather give up some MPG for the easy to fix carbs, push-start on a dead battery DR. 

[ducatiz]

When I bought it...




I haven't ridden it in a while, I need to tweak a few things, but I love it.. The forks need rebuilding..

[The Mad King Pepe']

Photo time, forgot to share these:

Green Ridge Rd in the Green Ridge State Forest.