Best complement to a feej

[chivvalry]

All this talk about the super10 has me thinking that I would really enjoy a bike that I can take up some single track routes as well as fire roads and the like. However, I don't want to be uncomfortable getting to those environments so I want something that is fairly comfortable for a couple hours of slab that can then run well in rough/off road conditions. Ideally it would be a bike that could do the BIG adventures like the jaunt to Deadhorse as well.

I don't want to give up my FJR so a super10, though a great option, is probably not the right choice... well, maybe it is... Anyway, if I keep my feejer as my primary but want a second bike that I could take into rough terrain what's the pros and cons of the following bikes:

KLR650 - Seems like an excellent answer to what I'm looking for... Concerns about highway comfort?

DR650 - Might be better in the rough... but even more concerns about highway riding...

Vstrom 650 - ABS!! Is this the best answer? Seems like it for the highway but how good are these off road?

Who has some experience owning both a FJR and one of the above?

 

[Fred W]

You are on the right track...

The S10 is wayyy, wayyyyy too big (and expensive!) to be messin' around with anythin even close to being single track.

And those singles that you list would be a bit uncomfortable for anything over about 2 hours, at least without some major mods.

I would not hesitate to get a wee-strom for a minute.

That is, if I didn't already have the man size version.

The difference in weight is minimal, around 50 lbs actually, and yet you get an added 350cc of grunt in the man sized 'strom in the bargain. That's really big if you'll ever be riding two-up, or for longer stints on the tarmac. But other-wise they are very similar bikes.

Main problem with the DL1K's is they quit bringing them to the US, then they quit making them. So you'd need to make do with a used bike.

If you want a new-er one, the six-fiddy is definitely the way to go. Solid. Dependable. Cheap. Lots of aftermarket goodies to be bought.

PS - ABS is over-rated on any bike that will venture regularly onto the dirt. Unless it has, or can be fitted with, a cut-out switch.

JMO.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

Here's another possible consideration, the KTM 690:

https://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=566295

https://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=365169

 

[Fred W]

KTM = Keep Taking my Money?

Works if you don't need/want to go too far.

 

[chivvalry]

Sounds like I need to focus on the weestrom for a bit. I'm going to go spend some time on google and YouTube...

 

[chivvalry]

Nice video.

 

[ScottyUSN]

Considering you have an FJR, I would prefer to have a Wee in the stable over a Vee.

I sold my Wee for the FJR when I came to the conclusion the Wee was never going to be used in the format you are looking for. A great cheap an capable bike.

ABS is (or at least was) tough to find here in the lower 48.

 

[FJRay]

The KLR gets my vote. It doesn't do anything great but it does a lot really well. It is a good universal urban assault vehicle. They have been known to go anywhere on the planet.

I put a russell seat on mine and played with the suspension a little. There is tons of aftermarket stuff for the KLR.

 

[Panman]

I'm going to stick with the FJR, I look at the S-10 and the BMW GSA and think way to much money for MY budget. But I am thinking real hard about one of the V-Strom's as I want to do the Arctic Circle soon.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Although I would love to have a big shaftie, for the money a Wee gets my vote. Spend a little for aftermarket suspension, body protection and comfort and it's a great little bike. Gets a little busy above 80 indicated though...

Paging DCarver to the white courtesy phone...

--G

 

[bigtallguy]

I'm having the same dillema. I've got it narrowed down to the v-strom and the tiger 800xc...

From what I've read, the tiger has good road manners and is a bit better off road than the v-strom. V-strom has a good reputation as a do-it-most well, cheaply. The price difference makes it a tough decision for me...

 

[Shane]

I chose the KLR to share garage space with the FJR about 5-6 years ago.

Be careful when considering DS bikes though--you'll need to keep your FJR on the battery charger more often.

Seriously.

Shane

 

[chivvalry]

How is the klr at superslab speeds of around 80ish? I know none of these will match the comfort of the feej at those speeds but I want something that I won't be fighting to control or gritting my teeth to endure on the slab.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

KTM = Keep Taking my Money?

Works if you don't need/want to go too far.

So what was your personal experience?

 

[HIGHLANDER]

How is the klr at superslab speeds of around 80ish? I know none of these will match the comfort of the feej at those speeds but I want something that I won't be fighting to control or gritting my teeth to endure on the slab.

Had a KLR for a few months but punted it for a Wee. I rode side by side with TWN on his Wee for hours and he easily pulled away going uphill AND got better gas milage doing it! Both bikes were fully loaded down with camping gear.

If you live close to the dirt a KLR is fine, if you have to travel any distance the Wee kicks butt, gets better gas milage, has better protection. The KLR is comfortable up to about 70, the Wee will easily cruise 80 all day long.

See my tag line for a Wee road report............it's only about 28 or so days long

 

[Shane]

How is the klr at superslab speeds of around 80ish? I know none of these will match the comfort of the feej at those speeds but I want something that I won't be fighting to control or gritting my teeth to endure on the slab.

Stock KLR = not good at freeway speeds for extended rides, but is tolerable.

I have done quite a bit to mine (lots even since the pic above) that makes it way better for me. Aftermarket suspension, raising links, homemade windscreen, big-bore 685 kit, taller gearing, flat Corbin seat, aluminum bars and real handguards, and too much more to mention without lots of thinking.

Comfort is relative, I think. I actually am more comfortable on my KLR than the FJR except when trying to pass lots of cars at once, when the additional 100 horsepower comes in real handy. For regular speeds the KLR is just about a perfect fit for me at 6'4" and 250 "ish". I really get used to the legroom and ease of standing whenever I feel like it.

If you intend to do primarily interstates, choose something else. If you want to do a little upgrading, the KLR lends itself well to aftermarket modding.

Good luck,

Shane

 

[chivvalry]

How is the klr at superslab speeds of around 80ish? I know none of these will match the comfort of the feej at those speeds but I want something that I won't be fighting to control or gritting my teeth to endure on the slab.

Had a KLR for a few months but punted it for a Wee. I rode side by side with TWN on his Wee for hours and he easily pulled away going uphill AND got better gas milage doing it! Both bikes were fully loaded down with camping gear.

If you live close to the dirt a KLR is fine, if you have to travel any distance the Wee kicks butt, gets better gas milage, has better protection. The KLR is comfortable up to about 70, the Wee will easily cruise 80 all day long.

See my tag line for a Wee road report............it's only about 28 or so days long

Awesome ride report. That is exactly the sort of thing that put an Alaska ride on my bucket list.

 

[chivvalry]

Comfort is relative, I think. I actually am more comfortable on my KLR than the FJR except when trying to pass lots of cars at once, when the additional 100 horsepower comes in real handy. For regular speeds the KLR is just about a perfect fit for me at 6'4" and 250 "ish". I really get used to the legroom and ease of standing whenever I feel like it.

If you intend to do primarily interstates, choose something else. If you want to do a little upgrading, the KLR lends itself well to aftermarket modding.

Good luck,

Shane

The intent of the bike would really be for the sort of adventure touring that highlander's ride report shows... with a lot of two lane highway mixed with dirt and single track where I can find it. I'm betting that either the wee or the klr will get the job done for me just fine. I'll have to go ride them both.

 

[Bokerfork]

Once again I'm confused.

You guys make things so complicated.

I just keep an extra set of wheels with nobbies premounted for the Feej. Remove that bothersome front cowl and I'm ready for Mexico.

I can't keep up with Beemerdon just yet, but I'm gaining. Probably that taco petrol doesn't agree with my injectors.

Mark