New bike recommendations

977 Views 54 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Gunnar88, 2 d ago

LeviCurr

Discussion Starter · 14 d ago

Its time to move on to a different ADV bike. I will give the KLR to the kids (to keep it in the family), but I am ready for something more powerful, technologically advanced and capable. I am considering Truimph 900 or 1200 maybe another BMW (GS), possibly KTM. Anyone here have experience with any of these machines? Pros Cons etc etc?

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KLR-Mule

· #2 · 14 d ago

No…but I’ve ridden the Aprilia Tuareg 660 & it was AMAZING in every way.
It’ll probably be my next bike at some point in the future.

If it happens to be in your radar, check out Big Rock Moto’s YT reviews.

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Cuchulainn

· #3 · 14 d ago

My KLR 650 is a secondary (thirdary? Is that even a word?) bike. My primary bike is a KTM 890 Adventure. I also have a KTM 690 Enduro R. I really enjoy the 890 Adventure and don't see myself parting with it any time soon.

Also on Big Rock Motos YT reviews, he discusses selling his R1250GS and buying the KTM 890 Adventure.

I have also owned a Triumph Tiger 800 XC, Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer, KTM 1190 Adventure, and Africa Twin Adventure Sports.

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KLR-Mule

· #4 · 14 d ago

Cuchulainn said:
I also have a KTM 690 Enduro R.

I’ve ridden & owned a small handful of dualsport bikes, including the KTM 690.
Out of the ones I can compare it to, the 690 is at the bottom of my bucket. God that’s an awful bike to ride for anything more than 20 miles. I’ve heard lots of good things about the 890 tho…

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Cuchulainn

· #5 · 14 d ago (Edited)

KLR-Mule said:
I’ve ridden & owned a small handful of dualsport bikes, including the KTM 690.
Out of the ones I can compare it to, the 690 is at the bottom of my bucket. God that’s an awful bike to ride for anything more than 20 miles. I’ve heard lots of good things about the 890 tho…

I have heard people joke that the reason they call the 690 an Enduro is that is a challenge to see how long you can endure sitting on it 🤣

That said, I have no problem putting the miles on it. I did a 200-mile round trip on it from Denver to Florissant, CO last weekend and will probably put another 250 miles on it this weekend. I have had it out to Montrose, Gunnison, Paonia, Telluride, and Taos. I wouldn't want to take it to Alaska, but otherwise, I get along with it

The 2021 690 Enduro I have currently is actually the 2nd one I have owned. I had 2016 previously. I sold the 2016 trying to pare own the bikes in the garage, but found I really missed it.

The 890 I love. I really like the way it carries its weight down low and how it handles it overall. The first couple of days I had it, I had to keep checking the tires to make sure I wasn't imagining things and that it really did have a 21/18" wheel setup. I was thinking that surely I must be wrong, it must be a 19/17" 😂

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Gunnar88

· #6 · 14 d ago

More street oriented? More dirt oriented? I think the 890 KTM, the Norden 901, the Taureg, or the T7 seem to do be the choices for both.

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LeviCurr

Discussion Starter · #7 · 14 d ago

I really like the Triumph 1200. The problem is Triumphs reputation for quality. I know they have gotten alot better but I am still a little afraid to spend that much $$ on a lemon. I read today they are offering a unlimited mileage 2 year warranty. My BMW has 66000 miles and going strong. I am considering another BMW also.

PeteK

· #8 · 14 d ago

At this point in my life, if I get a replacement for the KLR, it will have to be lighter so I can pick it up easier. If I'm going road riding, I have a touring bike.

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LeviCurr

Discussion Starter · #9 · 13 d ago

I sold my Harley years ago. Sticking with some sort of dual sport. Something I can at least ride on the shoulder

CamoColton

· #10 · 13 d ago

Africa Twin out of the question or sticking more European? Can confirm on Big Rock Moto's reviews.
Can also confirm that KTM 690's are not where it's at for your desires. But they are fast and pretty incredible otherwise.

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Maitre

· #11 · 13 d ago

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure

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Cuchulainn

· #12 · 13 d ago

If you are interested in one of the KTM models, here is the Demo Days Tour schedule in case you happen to be near one of the cities...

RIDE ORANGE DEMO TOUR 2023 (ktm.com)

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Motogeezer

· #13 · 13 d ago

I had a KTM 790 Adventure in between my last 2 KLRs. The only high tech bike (meaning anything with even ABS) I ever owned. I'm old school and like to micro manage everything. Love/hate with the ride-by-wire. Loved rain mode and traction control on gravel roads. Hated minor delays in throttle response and not being able to wheelie even in off-road mode where anti-wheelie is supposed to be off. Also loved the low center of gravity with the fuel tank wrapping around the engine and the sport bike handling on the highway with the steep rake angle. All things said, the cost of ownership of the KTM is much higher than a KLR with premium gas and expensive maintenance so that's why I went back to a KLR. Best choice for someone in my position, but maybe not for you.

I'd really take a close look at the new Honda TransAlp. Also, I've never owned a large Adventure bike. The 790 was the biggest and only weighed 425 lbs. I think a 1200 is way over kill for an Adventure bike, but that's just my opinion.

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LeviCurr

Discussion Starter · #14 · 13 d ago

Years ago I had an LC640. I did not like anything about it. Left a bad impression of KTM for me. So I really never considered another ktm. Now that it seems like they are coming around a bit I started to consider them again. The KLR is cool to look at, I like its styling but other than that it isn't a good fit for me. BMW I have always had good luck with but BMW comes with some issues. I have not had a Triumph and I would consider one but I think I want to ride one before I take that chance.

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Maitre

· #15 · 13 d ago

LeviCurr said:
Years ago I had an LC640. I did not like anything about it. Left a bad impression of KTM for me. So I really never considered another ktm. Now that it seems like they are coming around a bit I started to consider them again. The KLR is cool to look at, I like its styling but other than that it isn't a good fit for me. BMW I have always had good luck with but BMW comes with some issues. I have not had a Triumph and I would consider one but I think I want to ride one before I take that chance.

Levi, I ride beemers and agree that they have their issues but as you know, they are very reliable compared to their 4-wheeled siblings and last a very long time with just the usual maintenance. The GS is a big bike but if you spend a week on it you realize fast how nimble and subdued it is, you can do with it pretty much everything you want.
But since you already own a boxer which is also a cruiser, I'd say that in that case an Africa Twin or a Super Tenere may be the way to go. the former more dirt oriented, the latter more street but both tremendous machines.
Let us know what you decide on

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JimR

· #16 · 13 d ago

My biggest issue with the BMW is the stupid key fob. It's supposed to be an option, but I couldn't get one without it. On top of that the parts counter kid sez that BMW no longer sell its service manual/disc to the public. Always remember...BMW=Bring More Wampum$$$

Cuchulainn

· #17 · 13 d ago

Motogeezer said:
.... not being able to wheelie even in off-road mode where anti-wheelie is supposed to be off.

Put it in Rally Mode

Gunnar88

· #18 · 13 d ago

If budgets an issue and you're looking for a big bike the Super Tenere 1200 is a good choice, you can still find them with lots of nice mods and low miles for quite reasonable. I rode one to Alaska in 2016 and it was a dream I did all the usual stuff, suspension, hard bags, custom solo seat, bar risers, windscreen gps, pipe, skid plate, crash bars, and I carried two gallons of gas. The only thing I would have done differently was A. start off carrying a spare rear tire, and B. get the heated grips. I did 14,000 miles in 30 days and I had 5 down days where I didn't ride at all, made it all the way to Deadhorse and took several side trips off the usual route trying not to run the same roads twice, the bike performed flawlessly, I did multiple 800 mile days and it was very comfortable. I did about 2000 miles of unpaved roads and it was very very good in those muddy conditions. The newer versions have ESA and if you do a full pipe and refresh you can get some ok power, I think that's the biggest knock on them they just dont make that much power. I rode a Pan AM and it felt just like the Tenere but with 30% more power.

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CamoColton

· #19 · 13 d ago

Gunnar88 said:
If budgets an issue and you're looking for a big bike the Super Tenere 1200 is a good choice, you can still find them with lots of nice mods and low miles for quite reasonable. I rode one to Alaska in 2016 and it was a dream I did all the usual stuff, suspension, hard bags, custom solo seat, bar risers, windscreen gps, pipe, skid plate, crash bars, and I carried two gallons of gas. The only thing I would have done differently was A. start off carrying a spare rear tire, and B. get the heated grips. I did 14,000 miles in 30 days and I had 5 down days where I didn't ride at all, made it all the way to Deadhorse and took several side trips off the usual route trying not to run the same roads twice, the bike performed flawlessly, I did multiple 800 mile days and it was very comfortable. I did about 2000 miles of unpaved roads and it was very very good in those muddy conditions. The newer versions have ESA and if you do a full pipe and refresh you can get some ok power, I think that's the biggest knock on them they just dont make that much power. I rode a Pan AM and it felt just like the Tenere but with 30% more power.

I just sold my 2013 Super Tenere and it was a damn fine bike. The longest I've ever owned a single bike also.
Shaft drive made it the easiest bike to live with. Great at eating up miles on the interstate and very stable. You're right about the power, but one can live with it. It's still a 1200 but certainly cursed by that big-4 mediocrity that they just can't build into every bike. My needs changed and it was just time to move on. Would advise 2014 and newer for the versions with cruise control at least.

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KLR-Mule

· #20 · 13 d ago

Cuchulainn said:
Put it in Rally Mode

I’ve tried, but can’t seem to find the button.
Where is it on a gen 3? 😂

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