Here are my choices! which bike though

[floyd]

Hi folks, i have had so many bikes and still have not come to a serious conclusion which is best.
Her are my ideals
150kg max
Well balanced
Good fuel consumption
Reliable
Max two cylinders, ideally v twin
Steel framed and steel swingarm
Sharp brakes
Some wind protection
Easy to service
Comfortable
Ability to hold 70mph in comfort with rider and engine
Many more i expect but had a or three lol
Which bikes fits this criteria eek none i expect
I could be wrong, If there is i am buying it

[anonymous1]

KTM 950 Super Enduro ?

[Hustler]

And what might the budget be for this fine machine ?

[marcm]

Your going to have to start chopping lumps off to get most bikes fitting that criteria to that weight?....
Ktm 690 maybe or xt 660?..but no wind protection...

[floyd]

That is the tricky bit, weight. just sold a Pan European. 300KG dry, cripes that was heavy to wheel around.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Hustler

And what might the budget be for this fine machine ?

£2500 in real terms
What about if iit was £5k aswell
Both options please
Probably be a frankenstein creation!!!!!!

[mollydog]

Originally Posted by floyd

Hi folks, i have had so many bikes and still have not come to a serious conclusion which is best.
Her are my ideals
150kg max
Well balanced
Good fuel consumption
Reliable
Max two cylinders, ideally v twin
Steel framed and steel swingarm
Sharp brakes
Some wind protection
Easy to service
Comfortable
Ability to hold 70mph in comfort with rider and engine
Many more i expect but had a or three lol
Which bikes fits this criteria eek none i expect
I could be wrong, If there is i am buying it

"Best" for what?
What sort of riding is planned? Just commuting in the UK .. or are you looking for a proper travel bike? (details please)

You've owned "so many" bikes? So what's the problem?

"Steel Framed and steel swingarm" ... curious how many of your many bikes
had a steel swing arm? Alu is FAR better.

Can't really suggest bikes without knowing your intent. Sounds like something
like an XT600E would do the job. Or if you cross the pond, a DR650SE or KLR650. (neither common in the UK) Bolt on a medium shield.

All travel bikes need LOTS of careful mods to be their best. But if you're just going back and forth to work ... then who cares what bike you use. Cheap and Cheerful is best.

Newer KTM's are out of your budget, as are most BMW's.
Why do you care about light weight? Do you have dirt bike riding experience?

[Steve Pickford]

Apart from the Aprilia RXV/SXV 450/550 enduro and SM bikes, I've yet to see a 150kg v-twin and they have aluminium frames and swingarms.

KTM 690 Enduro is 150kg wet but is a single cylinder, XRZ660 Tenere's are 200kg+ as is the KTM 950SEwhich also comes with a tall seat height.

With the exception of a Honda 125 Varadero, I don't think the bike you want exists unless you can get a Highland v-twin but I think they're more of a monster enduro i.e. 950 SE.

[floyd]

I know it is doubtfull for a lightweight twin. Just would prefer one due to bing smoother engines.

[marcm]

At that weight,with decent tank range,reasonable seat and some wind protection the only thing I can think of is a 3aj tenere...but its a single and getting on a bit..but they can be a great bike with a little bit of attention getting one p together..the twin cylinder ones a tank and not so good on the juice...can't think of much else other than a transalp and an angle grinder..

[floyd]

I had a Tenere 3aj. I wasn,t keen. It was heavy for what it was, really top heavy fuelled up, lacked umph. Perhaps we had add ally frame and swingarm if it helps with choice

[floyd]

Originally Posted by mollydog

"Best" for what?
What sort of riding is planned? Just commuting in the UK .. or are you looking for a proper travel bike? (details please)

You've owned "so many" bikes? So what's the problem?

"Steel Framed and steel swingarm" ... curious how many of your many bikes
had a steel swing arm? Alu is FAR better.

Can't really suggest bikes without knowing your intent. Sounds like something
like an XT600E would do the job. Or if you cross the pond, a DR650SE or KLR650. (neither common in the UK) Bolt on a medium shield.

All travel bikes need LOTS of careful mods to be their best. But if you're just going back and forth to work ... then who cares what bike you use. Cheap and Cheerful is best.

Newer KTM's are out of your budget, as are most BMW's.
Why do you care about light weight? Do you have dirt bike riding experience?

Don;t get hooked up on the many bike gig Molly
Plenty of the early ones
No not a dirt god, it will spend most if not all its time on the road.
Not after a round the world bike
If a Ktm was possibly less labour intensive and more reliableThey could fit the bill.

[G.Verde]

big question - what where are you going? commuter, play? I really like thumpers - simple single cylinder bikes. Any of them with do well and are pretty frugal on gas. BMW-F650GS and Kawi-KLR650 cheap on gas great on tarmac as well as capable on gravel modest off road in stock configuration. Suzuki DR650 better off road - but still loads of fun on road - lighter - oil / air cooled - no rads to smash, nimble, torquier / buzzy but not bad. Suzuki DL650 nice as well... I've never ridden the KTM's love the 640 LC4 and the 690... again it's up to you find what fits you - budget and ride, ride, ride as much as you can.


~Willy~

[anonymous1]

Originally Posted by floyd

If a Ktm was possibly less labour intensive and more reliable. They could fit the bill.

Once you get to know your way round a KTM twin, Super Enduro or otherwise, it's easy enough to self service, bar the valve clearances & carbys. Make a few mods, luggage, screen, whatever. Service it often, don't thrash it and reliability wont be an issue, bar the fuel pump, easy enough to carry a spare and it takes 15 minutes to change. Finding a V Twin under 150kgs alone without the rest of your requirements is and you probably know, asking the impossible. Compromise a little and you might just find yourself on something unique, capable & collectable if you go for a SE.

PS. After getting round on a Pan European, a KTM 950SE will feel like a 250!