650cc battle: may the best all rounder win
 

G'day all,

Battleground: Turkey, West Kazakhstan & Russia (Volgograd to St Pete)

Handicap: 650cc max / £1500

Required duties: approx 90% paved surfaces, some exploring the steppe, sand/ rocky/gravelly roads.
(14000km in 9 weeks)

Contenders:
'02 KLR 650 22000miles. £1600
'00 Transalp 600. 260000miles. £1500
'98 XF 650 . 31000miles. £1500
'95 dominator. 40000miles. £1600

Will most probably fit Heidenau K60 prior to leaving.
Fuel tank size isn't critical, I have at least one rotopax 1gal. tank, may run second, or fit a water tank too.

Thanks in advance
Tom

They'll all do the job, most bikes could. I'd check out known niggles, but they'll all have some to one degree or another. My advice would be to try them for yourself to get a feel for them, then go for the one that excites you the most. Lighter the better, you'll be picking it up a lot and nobody wishes their bike was heavier.

I tried the K60s for my Mongolia & Siberia trip on my F800GS and I did't like them. I don't think they were great off road or on tarmac, especially when wet. Plus the rear can sometimes be a PITA to break the bead when repairing punctures. I preferred the TKC80 but they're not as hard wearing as the K60.

Bon Voyage beer