Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB

Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/)
-   Which Bike? (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/which-bike/)
-   -   Help me choose mild tourer (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/which-bike/help-me-choose-mild-tourer-65160)

BlackDogZulu 26 Nov 2012 00:57

Thanks for the thoughts, Thom, and I am sure you are right. I am going to commute it through this winter, and if we are still friends at the end, I will know. I've got a lot of little niggly problems to sort out over the next few days, mainly electrical, but then we are good to go. I am also planning on taking my daughter to Europe on it next summer, and that will be the ultimate test.

One thing I have found, BMW owners are certainly loyal.

Walkabout 26 Nov 2012 09:20

BDZ,
I am not quite as "loyal" as Thom in that I don't have loyalty to any particular brand; but, and we have talked on these lines previously, the F650GS is a very good bike when measured objectively (and not with all the BS and emotion that others can bring to the discussion).
That's just my opinion of course but based a few years of ownership.
Sure, it has a small number of weaknesses - but those weaknesses are well known (not least, because the model of bike has put in a load of miles in the hands of 1000s of owners) and can be dealt with.
Tell me of a bike that does not have such characteristics. Or any vehicle for that matter.

Anyway, I read the other thread about vibrations for the XT/Dommie and I saw that the GS gets mentioned now and again - I stayed off there because it seemed to be going too far :offtopic: to bring up the GS "smooth ride", too often anyway.

So, what I would say is that the longest distance I rode on the F650GS was 560 miles in about a 10 hour day with a good sprinkling of refuel/smoke breaks, on the motorways in the main - there were no issues with the bike and I survived the day to ride on, thereafter, in the Alps. That was one up with luggage. Enjoy your tour next year with your daughter. :thumbup1:

BlackDogZulu 11 Jan 2013 01:29

Hmmm. That didn't last long :)

The little GS is a fine bike in many ways - economical, good performance for its size, some very good design features - but I wasn't gelling with it. Plenty of like, but no lurve, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I mentioned on another forum that I might be considering moving it on in due course, another forum member said he wanted to buy one, and a deal was done. Tonight he rode off into the dark with it.

On Saturday, I pick up an 06 XT660R. I have had one of these before, and I know the riding position and general driveability suit me fine. It's going to be less passenger-friendly, but that's a compromise I will have to make. It ticks all the other boxes.

Onwards and upwards ...

(I've just re-read the whole of this thread. There is some very good, intelligent discussion on this board, and I thank you all for your inputs.)

Walkabout 11 Jan 2013 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackDogZulu (Post 407193)
It's going to be less passenger-friendly, but that's a compromise I will have to make.

There's the rub, literally perhaps; it's the pillion who has to make most of the compromise.


Still, you are sticking with fuel injection and a good, reliable, relatively modern engine design, so all is not lost. :innocent:

As a point, the Aprilia Pegaso has had both the rotax and the Yam 660 engine fitted to it during the production run - I have no idea which is the better of those two bikes!

BlackDogZulu 12 Jan 2013 00:50

My passenger has to endure the pillion seat for a week or so, I have to put up with the whole package for the rest of the year. That was my thinking, anyway :) Anyway, on the last trip she said she wanted to ride less and see more, so that's a fine excuse for a stop-and-stretch every hour or so.

BlackDogZulu 13 Jan 2013 22:06

And here she is!

http://i1053.photobucket.com/albums/...ps736bd8e8.jpg

venture 20 May 2013 17:41

XTR
 
.. And all the very best with it. Looks great. Thoroughly enjoyed the process of this entire post.
Moss

BlackDogZulu 26 May 2013 22:27

Thanks! Yes, the thread has been fun and very useful.

Thanks to all who contributed.

kentfallen 14 Jul 2013 11:12

I'm with Bluebus on this one - V Strom DL650 or DL1000 seem to tick ALL your boxes. :thumbup1:

I have heard nothing but good things about the Suzuki VStrom range of bikes (all models and marks). Apparently, the DL650 is considered a better buy (but not necessarily a better bike), than it's more powerful sister the DL1000?

Most of you will probably know I'm a confirmed XT fan with a love of single cylinder bikes especially the Yamaha XT series of bikes, but these do NOT perform well at high speed and against a head wind. :(

I'd say an XT600 is happy to cruise all day at no more than 60 MPH but hey are most happy plodding along at 50MPH.

Another bike I would give serious consideration to is the twin cylinder Honda Transalp - XL600V, XL650V, and XL700V. :thumbup1:

I think any single cylinder will struggle to tick ALL your boxes including the love of my life - the XT600.


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 16:45.


vB.Sponsors