HEY TWN.................

[skyway]

I keep tellin' ya guyz. KTM 950 Adventurer. Go ride one TWN. Notice how simple it is to work on. It can damn near out accelerate our beloved FJR's from a rolling 2nd gear start, run at 100 all day long. I rode an earlier model over 200 miles one day and found it more comfortable than my stock FJR.. I'm going to feel badly for you Beemer guyz when we go Adventure Riding and you're all tore up and me and Miss Katoom are still going strong.. Not to mention when the trail gets ugly... the KTM will be in the lead, every time.

This is the KTM that I'll be looking at Don. I would really like a test ride to see what it's all about first though. Not sure my local dealer allows this or not? I don't know anyone who owns one either, I'm just looking at it from the capability standpoint right now.

 

[madmike2]

I'm going to feel badly for you Beemer guyz when we go Adventure Riding and you're all tore up and me and Miss Katoom are still going strong.. Not to mention when the trail gets ugly... the KTM will be in the lead, every time.

I seem to recall one of the bike magazines doing a comparo of the "larger" adventure touring bikes last year. Their conclusion was the same. For general, all around riding with some dirt roads, the GS was praised. HOWEVER, once the road was anything more than compacetd dirt the KTM was the out-and-out choice. IIRC, the Triumph was someplace in the middle, but the Tiger has been shifted more to the street side with the new model.

Of course, I wouldn't expect any magazine to talk badly about a BMW (Show me the $$$$$!). I know there are courses taught on off-road riding for the GS and anyone who is contemplating doing so should take one of those weekend schools. It is a big, heavy tank of a bike to have on unsettled ground where the KTM, side-by-side, might be more of a jeep.

Also, I believe the V-Strom has as weak an alternator as the FJR which could limit extra lights and heated gear.

TWN, have you considered riding the FJR to Alaska and renting a KLR to go exploring?

IOW, what bikes are still on the short list for Adventure Skyway Touring?

I'm disappointed that KTM was a no show, but there is a very good dealer close to me that I will visit soon. I'm not ruling out the upcoming Triumph Tiger, this bike deserves a close look and is only 1 week away from arriving at my local dealer.

I think any of these bikes will suite my needs on local fire roads, loose gravel and general long stretches of crappy highway (Alaska is calling ), since I'm not planning on any serious off roading. (none of the bikes mentioned in this thread would be a good choice for this anyway)

So the search continues.... I'm not entirely sold on the VStrom yet either, but a promised test ride is coming soon. But I do think it could be great platform to start from for little $$$, important consideration for me is value for money!

I need to balance LD on-highway comfort and speed, with enough ground clearance and suspension travel to handle situations when the going gets a little rough. The kind of roads I see and want to explore on my FJR, but are just plain out of reach for the platform.

So that means the DRZ 650 all set up for adventure touring (Alum. panniers, lights, brush guards, larger gas tank, larger windshield) in the motorcycle parking lot wouldn't do it for you. If you want to be able to run the highways at the speeds and comfort of the FJR you've really narrowed the field of contenders to the "big guns": KTM, Triumph and BMW....erm, Buell, V-Strom and Ducati? How about a used Aprilia Caponord?

 

[HIGHLANDER]

I keep tellin' ya guyz. KTM 950 Adventurer. Go ride one TWN. Notice how simple it is to work on. It can damn near out accelerate our beloved FJR's from a rolling 2nd gear start, run at 100 all day long. I rode an earlier model over 200 miles one day and found it more comfortable than my stock FJR.. I'm going to feel badly for you Beemer guyz when we go Adventure Riding and you're all tore up and me and Miss Katoom are still going strong.. Not to mention when the trail gets ugly... the KTM will be in the lead, every time.

This is the KTM that I'll be looking at Don. I would really like a test ride to see what it's all about first though. Not sure my local dealer allows this or not? I don't know anyone who owns one either, I'm just looking at it from the capability standpoint right now.

You may want to PM Velcrometer. He's an ex fjr owner and a great guy, he'll give you honest answers. He bought the KTM ( after the FJR ) and does off road adventure rides ,( two up ! ), all over Socal and Baja with the bike. He rides with a few KTM owners. Give him a shout, he won't mind at all.

 

[painman]

I think you might want to check this beast out first. Linky. After watching some video's on this model at the IMS show with the side car drive kicking in, you can go places most jeeps would have trouble getting to....and be able to carry all the camp gear to boot. PM. <><

 

[HIGHLANDER]

I think you might want to check this beast out first. Linky. After watching some video's on this model at the IMS show with the side car drive kicking in, you can go places most jeeps would have trouble getting to....and be able to carry all the camp gear to boot. PM. <><

I saw those at the show, the vid was amazing ! Think Jeepin on the Rubicon trail, but wheeeeeeeelin in a sidecar !!! Too cool !! B)

 

[madmike2]

I think you might want to check this beast out first. Linky. After watching some video's on this model at the IMS show with the side car drive kicking in, you can go places most jeeps would have trouble getting to....and be able to carry all the camp gear to boot. PM. <><

Yabbut gettin' anywhere at 45 mph ain't gunna be no fun. That'd make fer a looooong ride to Alasky.

 

[twowheelnut]

I reckon by now the distance that separates you from a brand-new GS is the thickness of a check.
Will you still wave back at us? B)

Stef

Not in love just yet. I just met the bitch! :lol: And I'm not going to give up the FJR, either. I'm just gonna cheat on her a bit!

the thickness of 2 checks.
1 for the bike and 1 that puts a mechanic on retainer.

Word on the two checks, but I see no more BMW's in for service than the Japanese jobs. In fact, most of the 20 or so bikes in for service were in for routine stuff. Only two had their internals gutted and one was an 80's model. The other had a holed oil color that lead to seizure.

I'm disappointed that KTM was a no show, but there is a very good dealer close to me that I will visit soon. I'm not ruling out the upcoming Triumph Tiger, this bike deserves a close look and is only 1 week away from arriving at my local dealer.
I think any of these bikes will suite my needs on local fire roads, loose gravel and general long stretches of crappy highway (Alaska is calling ), since I'm not planning on any serious off roading. (none of the bikes mentioned in this thread would be a good choice for this anyway)

So the search continues.... I'm not entirely sold on the VStrom yet either, but a promised test ride is coming soon. But I do think it could be great platform to start from for little $$$, important consideration for me is value for money!

I need to balance LD on-highway comfort and speed, with enough ground clearance and suspension travel to handle situations when the going gets a little rough. The kind of roads I see and want to explore on my FJR, but are just plain out of reach for the platform.

Er, Ian, the Tiger is no longer considered by Triumph to be a dualie. Visit their web site and you clearly detect the 'designed for asphalt' spiel. I'm very disappointed that they've done this.

And I concur about exploring new roads. I can't tell you how many times that I've run out of macadam and have been forced to turn around for lack of proper machine. So, you thinking of Alaska, too? Wanna join the TWN/O'vale/Skooter train? That spinny headed goof is even talkin' about making it a Key West to Prudhoe Bay run. :blink:

I keep tellin' ya guyz. KTM 950 Adventurer. Go ride one TWN. Notice how simple it is to work on. It can damn near out accelerate our beloved FJR's from a rolling 2nd gear start, run at 100 all day long. I rode an earlier model over 200 miles one day and found it more comfortable than my stock FJR.. I'm going to feel badly for you Beemer guyz when we go Adventure Riding and you're all tore up and me and Miss Katoom are still going strong.. Not to mention when the trail gets ugly... the KTM will be in the lead, every time.

I ain't convinced of KTM's reliability yet. I hear stories. And that platform ain't cheap, either! They retail for 14k for the '06's and prolly a few hunnert more for the '07's. That puts it a gnats c-hair away form the GS.

TWN, have you considered riding the FJR to Alaska and renting a KLR to go exploring?
So that means the DRZ 650 all set up for adventure touring (Alum. panniers, lights, brush guards, larger gas tank, larger windshield) in the motorcycle parking lot wouldn't do it for you. If you want to be able to run the highways at the speeds and comfort of the FJR you've really narrowed the field of contenders to the "big guns": KTM, Triumph and BMW....erm, Buell, V-Strom and Ducati? How about a used Caponord?

Yes I have and I don't think that's an option. I know that there is a guy in LA who's done the whole ride on the FJR (not to mention countless others on non-dualie bikes), but I think it would be a hassle to park the Feej and get on another bike, etc. Too, that would prolly be a couple of g's that I could put towards a bike of my own.

As for the DRZ and the like? Hmmmmm, I tend to think that they would wear you out on long hauls. I'm not looking to do young man's riding here as I roll into my sunset years, ya know! But, as I said, that little F-GS is a sweet little machine and comfy, too. Not sure of the Rotax thumper though, even if it is counterbalanced. I keep coming back to the comfort equation. I think the singles may not be right for me for the long hauls I wanna do. Then again, I hafta consider just how many long hauls I can do vs. putzing around 'the 'hood'.

Crap! I think having a goomah would be easier at this point versus making this decision! :lol:

 

[skyway]

So that means the DRZ 650 all set up for adventure touring (Alum. panniers, lights, brush guards, larger gas tank, larger windshield) in the motorcycle parking lot wouldn't do it for you. If you want to be able to run the highways at the speeds and comfort of the FJR you've really narrowed the field of contenders to the "big guns": KTM, Triumph and BMW....erm, Buell, V-Strom and Ducati? How about a used Aprilia Caponord?

The problem with a single cylinder is that it'll run out of steam quick, as I have to travel lots of asphalt to get to the dirt. Even if I don't really want a Vstrom long term, I may just pick up a lightly used with some farkles installed, get the Alaska thing out of my system and then punt it on to someone else.

If I was planning on only exploring roads close to home, the suzuki drz400 with a fuel cell would be my first choice.

 

[skyway]

Er, Ian, the Tiger is no longer considered by Triumph to be a dualie. Visit their web site and you clearly detect the 'designed for asphalt' spiel. I'm very disappointed that they've done this.
And I concur about exploring new roads. I can't tell you how many times that I've run out of macadam and have been forced to turn around for lack of proper machine. So, you thinking of Alaska, too? Wanna join the TWN/O'vale/Skooter train? That spinny headed goof is even talkin' about making it a Key West to Prudhoe Bay run. :blink:

Though Triumph may no longer be touting this as a full on dualie, the layout of this bike I think would still make it more than capable of getting through Alaska in summer with some knoblier tires and a raised front mudguard? I'll keep an eye on the ADV forum to see what these guys think of it.

Is O'vale considering the Key West to Prodhoe Bay run on his DRZ400? Now that would be a feat if accomplished. B) If so, Skooter is going to be doing some seriously long curbside waiting on this run, which for him will be harder to do than the ride.

 

[rogdeb]

So some of the Norcal group went to the bike show and found Santa. He was looking for you, heard you were headed to Alaska..............

Cute Most realistic Santa I've seen in a while Mike. I have some grandkids I'll be bringing down tomorrow :lol:

 

[Bounce]

hey! who put that mirror in the way?

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Hey, that ain't santa...santa ain't that cute!

 

[madmike2]

hey! who put that mirror in the way?

It wasn't in my way.