Battle of the 650's
 

Hello all!

Luckily this forum has a "which bike" portion of it so that you can help me with my next bike buy :innocent:

I have recently sold my beloved, and modified, 2005 KLE 500 and am looking for a single cylinder 650ish bike to buy next. There was nothing wrong with KLE, I just wanted a change. I have been riding forest trails, gravel, tar,... with it so I am looking for a bike that can/ will out-preform the KLE on the off road part, and be lighter.

I have narrowed it down to these 3:
-2004 XR650R (stock, with sumo wheels atm)
-200x BMW 650XChallange (stock)
-2004-> KTM 640 Adventure (none for sale atm, the orange ones :rofl:)

I know all of those bikes are discontinued, but with a collage student budget of €3500 and current state of the used bike market that is what I can get.

I have already been talking to some guys on advrider about the XR as the is currently on top of my list and If everything goes as planed I will go see it on the week end.

Any suggestions and input is appreciated

The KTM 640 Adventure is an amaizing bike. It has everything you need for adventure riding, much better suspension than most bike.
I have a 2004 model. I did the Tuareg Rally in the Sahara with this bike, and this summer I rod it from Ulan Bator to Magadan, through the Western BAM and the Road of bones. 6500km. Only minor problems that were all my fault (lack of preparation). It uses 4-5l/100km with a 25L tank you have a good 500km rang. The side stand is a weak point. The oil change with the 2 filters and the oil in the frame in a pain in the ass. The engine is very viby over 5000 rpm.

Usually I drive between 80 and 100km/h with this bike. With the handelbar risers, I can drive it all day long standy it's so confy.

I wouldn't use it for too much road riding. A GS 650 is better for that. But off road, it's unbeatable.