Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
F650 Dakar Vs KTM Adv Vs everything else F650 Dakar Vs KTM Adv Vs everything else
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 14 Jul 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Norman Oklahoma,USA
Posts: 34
A question just came to my mind:
Wonder how many one lung thumpers have made it around the world besides acourse the Mighty KLR!
Rod,,,,,just curious
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 14 Jul 2005
simmo's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: melbourne
Posts: 555
Zrod, just about all of them, even british ones
__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 29 Jul 2005
jim jim is offline
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Cape Town South Africa
Posts: 222
ja ja, just get an XT
__________________
"If we don't find something good at least we will find something new." Voltaire
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 22 Aug 2005
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 10
thanks to everybody for the info,
I've been doing a lot of research and think I will probably take a f650 dakar, although I consider them to be over priced they seem to fit all my other requirments. They seem to be the most popular choice for what I want to do, hopefully this is due to their suitability for the task!
Now if I could just manage to save some money!
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 22 Aug 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 3
Well this has just added to my confusion. I'm on the verge of buying a Dakar though...


------------------
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
__________________
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 22 Aug 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Nantes, France
Posts: 391
The Dakar will do just fine. BMW make good machines - just not quite as strong/reliable as the Japanese, and far too expensive. Plenty of people have used them on RTW and done okay.

In my experience, travellers on Japanese bikes have fewer problems, and have been a lot happier.

Just remember that the bike is going to get hammered on the trip. There's no point buying a new shiny one.

I think that is why the objections to the KLR are a bit misplaced. And why the arguments for a tough little used jap single are so strong.

If I suggested a pair of TTR250s, would you burst out laughing? It would be my option if I were leaving tommorrow on your trip.
__________________
Simon Kennedy
Around the world 2000-2004, on a 1993 Honda Transalp
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 22 Aug 2005
POB/London's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London / IOW
Posts: 486
"Just get an XT" - seconded. Or an XR600 / XR650L.
__________________
=-=-= ON THE EDGE! =-=-=
My XR650L Pan-Med Expedition Site!

Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 22 Aug 2005
simmo's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: melbourne
Posts: 555
Luke and Robyn I assume. Just remember that whats cool and adventuresome in the city can be useless outside it. The cost of the bikes will affect your Carnet deposit/insurance. You could buy two new KLR's or DR650's in Australia for the price of one Dakar or KTMAdv.

As you can see in Se-Hwans blogg, the BMW plastic panniers that come with the 650's explode on impact with the ground, so dont bother with them. As you can see he is now making Aluminium ones out of a road sign

http://translate.google.com/translate? hl=en&sl=ko&u=http://blog.empas.com/motoride&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmotoride%2Bempas%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D

If that doesnt work try

http://blog.empas.com/motoride

you can search google for empas motoride and hit translate which makes for a laugh.

Berndt has 130k kms on his 640 Adv rebuilt around 100k, but he didnt take it above 90kph on the highway. When we tried to find a second hand radiator fan in Victoria we couldnt and it would take a month to get a new one from europe $$$.

It has taken a week to get an ignition switch for a 84 XT600 from Japan...it broke in half in crash!...

BMW in Aust have good spares availability with most things being available in a couple of days.

anyway happy choosing.

alec



[This message has been edited by simmo (edited 22 August 2005).]
__________________
Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 25 Aug 2005
BklynDakar's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 356
I assume you guys are talking about the KTM640 Adv. Any opinions on the 950. I'm considering trading in my Dakar.

------------------
Brooklyn Dakar
http://motorcycleramblings.blogspot.com/
__________________
Prevously known as JSherm
My blog: http://www.motorcycleramblings.com/
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/sherman/ I will up date this soon, really Grant, I will....
"This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do." J Kerouac
"Who's more foolish: the fool, or the fool who follows him" OW Kenobi
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 20 Oct 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posts: 1
I have 15,000 absolutely trouble free miles (except for a taco'd front rim)on my 950, about half that off road in the US Sierras, Baja MEX (some tough roads), and Copper Canyon MEX (just got back from the HU meeting). I love it! It rocks in the dirt, seems indestructable, unlike my bud's BMW 650 "DaKrap" as he puts it, and inspires confidence in tough going loaded down. And-cruises the tarmac at 80mph smoothly and comfortably (I have the KTM gel seat). I don't think there's anything like it in the category. Apparently I and a friend on 950's set the record round trip down to Batopilas and back without knowing it!
__________________
950 Adventure
DRZ400s
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:19.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top