Which Single?

[ozhanu]

hi all,

i gave up heavy two cylinder bikes (transalp - kle 500) and turned to singles. choises are:

suzuki dr650 (2004 - onwards)
kawasaki klr650 (2004 - onwards)
yamaha xt600 (2003)

why these bikes:
- cheap (i am on a budget)
- simple engine
- air/oil cooled
- lighter then any twins
- better in off road and ok for 500km/day

i have read many of the "which bike" and "yamaha", "kawasaki", "suzuki" threads.

1- the problem with these bike is (which is also a pros) the oil/air cooling. is it a big issue in the city or in big climate changes (from -5 to +45 maybe more)?
2- which bike is more reliable?
3- dealer/parts available all over the world?
4- which bike has better fuel consumption?
5- which bike is cheap (and less) to modified?
6- optimum top speed/tork/hp?

my investigations show that DR650 is a bit ahead than the other ones, am i right?

i was an F650 owner. but now i would go for a Japanesse bike in a couple of month to set it up for rtw. any advice is welcome..

[Walkabout]

It sounds to me Ozhanu that you are already well aware of the various pros and cons and you want some sort of collaboration for a decision that you have more or less made - DR650.

You will know that most of your questions are open ended and have a range of answers depending on a whole host of variables.

So, for my 2 cents worth, toss a coin or, better still, look around on your bike market for all 3 in your short list and see what comes along inside your timeframe - that's what I would do. In fact it is pretty much what I am constantly doing!!

[mollydog]

Yes, the man has done his homework! ...

[Martynbiker]

[quote=ozhanu;170270]hi all,


yamaha xt600 (2003)


- cheap (i am on a budget)
- simple engine
- air/oil cooled
- lighter then any twins
- better in off road and ok for 500km/day


Ozhanu, you wouldn't go far wrong with an XT600.
Cheap, RELIABLE, Simple, Rugged, PROVEN, Fairly Light, Great Off Road, Good On road if you bear in mind its not a twin or a high speed tourer, 500km is doable if you put a Sheepskin or a air Cushion on the seat ( or just take rest breaks every 125km)
Parts available Worldwide and Worldwide by internet or phone/ mail from Wemoto Home


Martyn

[Robbert]

Hi Ozhanu,

I'm pretty much looking at the same stuff. Dropped the KLR of the list cause it's not a common bike here. I'd say the DR is has the edge because it has at least some sort of a fairing.

I'm wondering about Mollydogs comment about good quality oil though (in another tread, he refers to good quality motorcycle oil was mentionned). In some of the more remote places you'll have to look far for something more advanced then SAE40 or SAE50, If you're lucky there's 15W40/10W40/20W50. So a bike depending on good quality motorcycle oil is not such a good idea for long disctance traveling in my opinion.

My TA seems to be happy with the same 10w40 I poored in my lada.

There's also a tread about military KTM's on the forum here. Have a look at those. Seems like they're pretty much ready to go....

Rob

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Robbert

Hi Ozhanu,


There's also a tread about military KTM's on the forum here. Have a look at those. Seems like they're pretty much ready to go....

Rob

Yes, if you are really into singles and are firmly against the twins, then the 400cc bikes might fit the bill - that KTM is certainly interesting and that model seems to be readily available in Germany at present.

You could also consider the other 400s , such as the Suzi DR-Z, but I got the impression that you want a 600-650. Could be wrong of course .

You could go further back in the line and look for a DR350 or XT350 as well; now the options are opening up!!

[ozhanu]

to Robbert:
when i read Mollydogs thread i have also noticed the oil issue. i think the main idea is changing the oil frequently and try to keep it clean. when the oil gets dirty it gets also dense and it is hard to cool down a dense oil.

about the army ktm, look quite and ready to go, but i know just a little thing about ktm and did not see much long distance traveler with ktm. Also i cannot import it here as the import tax would be really high.

probably it should be better if you stick dr or xt.

to others:
i had bmw in the UK and it caused me a lot trouble. expensive and hard to find parts in Greece, Italy (the rear shoch in Verona) and in Turkiye.

here in Turkiye the famous bikes are honda transalp, suzuki dl650 and gs1xxx series. they dont even import suzuki dr, kawasaki klr and honda xr. i have found some second hand dr (2004 make 7500km), klr and xt. I think i am gonna drop the KLR as well. Prices are close to each other (6000 USD for 2004 dr, more expensive then brand new US retail price).

my only concern about the DR is the cooling system. How it is gonna behave in Delhi while it is >40 degree celcius in the city traffic or in Sahara where the temperature differance is quite extreme between day and night..

I can also switch to XT. Not sure yet

Thanks for your helps..

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by ozhanu

to others:

here in Turkiye the famous bikes are honda transalp, suzuki dl650 and gs1xxx series. they dont even import suzuki dr, kawasaki klr and honda xr. i have found some second hand dr (2004 make 7500km), klr and xt. I think i am gonna drop the KLR as well. Prices are close to each other (6000 USD for 2004 dr, more expensive then brand new US retail price).

my only concern about the DR is the cooling system. How it is gonna behave in Delhi while it is >40 degree celcius in the city traffic or in Sahara where the temperature differance is quite extreme between day and night..

I can also switch to XT. Not sure yet

Thanks for your helps..

Interesting how bike availability varies so much between countries! You have a good choice of twins then!

There are threads in here about air cooled bikes running in hot conditions, really hot conditions under extended engine loading, so they would be worth reading - from memory, most comment says that the "air coolers" perform OK, but please check for yourself!!

How about the XT660R? - you have not mentioned it, but it is the obvious water cooled successor to the XT600 and the likely way forward. along with the new XT660Z, when the old bikes fall apart )

[ozhanu]

people loves twin here couse of better speed, less vibration and better lookin (fairing!!)

i would something like with carb and not with injection. The one with the carbs are easier to repair and parts are widely available. It is why I am thinking of XT600 and not XT660 or any bike with carbs. Liquid cooling... ummm.. Better for engine maybe but again makes the engine complicated. Also XT660 is a bit pricy then xt600

thanks..

[kentfallen]

You can't go wrong with the venerable - Yamaha XT600E

The most widely used RTW adventure bike on earth and probably your best bet...



Ride carefully & Stay safe.

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by kentfallen

The most widely used RTW adventure bike on earth and probably your best bet...

First part:
My local BMW dealership would not agree (and I don't know, but that is because I don't care).

Second part:
Sounds like an ad for Carlsberg.

[kentfallen]

You're right, probably....

I maybe a "teensy weensy" bit biased though - seeing that I actually own one myself!

[ozhanu]

hi again!

thanks for the comments and infos.

however, i have read the following thread 3 times today:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t=suzuki+dr650

and then i have start take a seriously look for XT600 as well. the only problem with xt is that it is no more on sale as brand new.

i think i have to read more

i am still open to any advice and info..

[DarrenM]

You can buy an XT600E new in the UK as an import. Should be able to in Turkey. Just Google 'new XT600', I found at least 5 places in the UK.

Cost about £3200.

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by kentfallen

You're right, probably....

I maybe a "teensy weensy" bit biased though - seeing that I actually own one myself!

Well, give it time and it will wear off.

XBRs have a good sounding exhaust however.


Ozhanu,
You set the date in your first post: 2003 = about the last production of the XT600. Thereafter they switched to the XT660.

But, there was a brand new XT600 sold for £3000 a few weeks ago. It was not up for sale for very long at a dealer. They may still be found therefore, and ones that are later registered than 2003 come up as second hand buys here in the UK.