Help me pick my next adventure bike!
 

Righto.

After sitting on the Dog Rooter every day for 3 months, im over it and ready for a change. this is my criteria

Adventure bike
19-21 front wheel
650-1000cc
mainly used for commuting during the week
mostly weekend trips, two up
occasional longer trip one week or longer, two up.
budget 5000-7500
no older than 10 years
will be MOSTLY road, but still want to be able to get off a bit, camping etc
dont care so much for grunt, just as long as it does the job, but like everyone i know id love more power if it was there.

this is my short list in no order
Honda transalp 700 - pretty impartial to this one
Suzuki Vstrom 650 - I know and appreicate the rep, just cant get over the looks!
bmw gs650 Dakar. - really like this bike.
Triumph tiger 955i - I know this one is the odd one out but i still love it and always have.

im stepping off the DR and dont really want to go back to something similar e.g xt660, KLR, the 650 dakar is the closest i will go!

what i am interested in

- reliability
- workability
- rider comfort
- two up comfort

im 6ft on the knocker and 95kg butt naked

If I had the cash ;-(
 

Yeah...... doesnt really fit the 5-7.5k budget... but if i had the cash it would be a super tenere

Not that many options with a 21 inch front wheel in that price range, probably the BMW 650 is the best option.

Maybe an older KTM 950 with higher kms?

Im in the market for something for 75% asphalt realistically, with enough grunt for 2up with a 21in front wheel, the Tiger 800 XC fits the bill nicely, but is expensive new, but I am seeing more used on the market with ~30,000kms for under $10,000 CAD here, so might be worth stretching the budget if you can find one in Aus, not sure what the market is like.

Another vote for either the Tiger 800XC or KTM SE (Super Enduro).
You said you didn't care about grunt? ... if so ... then the Tiger 800 should be considered. It's a Revver, not much torque. A very smooth, fun to ride screamer. Handles well, good brakes and comfort. Perfect commuter ... just don't let it get pinched! :innocent:

The Tiger 800XC could be a really nice step up from the DR650 on road ... off road it won't even come close. doh

Nothing is as cheap to keep going as a DR. I'd suggest you learn all you can about doing servicing on the Tiger. Should save about $1000 a year.
I recently did a FULL SERVICE on my 1050 Tiger. Dealer wanted $750.
I also do tire changes and small service work. Not too bad once you learn it.

Don't know much about the Monster for touring off road, but a good friend has taken his 1st generation Multistrada everywhere ... including Mex and Cent. America. This is the air cooled version. You DO need a good bash plate and tougher wheels. (he had neither)
Bash plate would have to be custom made. Best to stay mostly on tarmac.

But the motor is good, easy to work on. Forks, frame, swing arm appear to be pretty tough. You can do dirt/gravel roads but better turn round if things get rocky, rutted, muddy or steep! :taz: And a bit tight for two up.

"bmw gs650 Dakar. - really like this bike."

You answered your own question. Personally, I think the latest edition DL650
Is purtyful

Umm all good advice. Anyone know how the 955i goes offroad compared to the newer 800? it looks more offroad capable, and more like triumph decided the 800 was more of a road bike than anything else. this is only how they look to me though, never ridden either. Im leaning towards the Dakar still as i can buy a friends for 5k with 50,000 on the clock. but.... would i love the big tripple if i got it.... decisions decisions...

No Tiger.
 

I would not even consider the Tiger 800xc an option, I owned one for two years and it broke my heart, as a result I will never buy another Triumph.
If you want a capable rtw bike think single cylinder , klr, xr or dr.
I would choose reliability over age any day:thumbup1:

I already have a DR and don't want another one, as reliable as it is, and not looking for a RTW bike.

KTM LC8 950 Adventure. Adventure all right. 21 inch. In-budget. Hot as hell.

Cheers

I have owned a Tiger 955i for around 3 years (sold it last year). A very powerful engine in that bike and the fun factor was high while riding it. But it is quite heavy and very topheavy and I wouldnt ride it more offroad other than a average gravelroad. I havent been riding the new Tiger 800 XC so I cannot compare those two bikes.

I have test rided the new Suzuki V-strom 650 and it seemed a decent bike, a good allrounder.

Have also had a short testride on a Kawasaki Versus 650 and it seemed also a decent allrounder that could fit your requirements.

You mention yourself the Honda Transalp 700 - which also is decent allrounder, and one can hardly ever beat the Honda quality.

And of course BMW have several models in the 650-800 ccm range - all those two cylindred GS models could fit your requirements.

The 955i may look the part but having attended the 955i Tiger launch in USA, I can verify Triumph had NO INTENTION for buyers to ever use the bike off road in any capacity. They made this quite clear at the launch.

It was NEVER in the 995i design brief. That's not to say you could not do dirt roads (I did on mine). But rugged off road is probably not a great idea on the rather top heavy and overweight 955i Tiger.

The 800XC Tiger is a whole 'nother Enchilada. This bike was designed to handle mild off road from the start. Is it great at it? From reports I've read, it's just OK. I've never ridden the 800 off road, only on road so no personal experience. But lots have done it. Seems good for such a heavy bike.

Do you believe the BMW myth that their bikes never wear out? :nono: At 50K ... I'd bet it's in need of several things.

Dakar's have LOTS of serious issues. I read up on them since I considered buying one. Looked closely at them and have tested the BMW 650's from the 1995 Funduro forward.

The DR650 is better in every way except ONE: Fuel economy. If the F.I. on your Dakar is working well ... then it will get about 60 to 65 MPG vs. the DR650's 50 MPG.

The DR650 is 60 lbs. lighter weight, tougher in every way. No blown water pumps, blown head gaskets, broken shock mount, failed shocks, over charging battery or failed fuel pumps. ALL are COMMON on the Dakars, especially if used hard and long.

The Dakar is a nice looking bike, more modern and "fancy" than the dead basic DR. But like the DR it needs LOTS of mods to be at it's best and will for sure have more problems than the typical DR650. Not really a good long range road bike, IMO.

From your responses I'm thinking you'd be best off with the Vstrom 650. Fantastic value, good performance and a ton of aftermarket support. Make it lighter, upgrade suspension and go riding. :thumbup1:

No I don't believe any myth at any bike will last forever. I am well aware of the advantages of the DR, but after riding it every day for three months and doing over 400km on it, daily, I'm sick of it, and it's pretty worn out itself. I'm not planning a round the world trip here, so I don't need a bike that you can neglect and get away with it. Iv taken the 955i off the list by now.

Lynch,

What did you not like about the Tiger ?

Like DR650Bandit Im not looking for something to do RTW, but if you've had issues with yours then let us know as Im thinking of buying one

DR650Bandit, I hear you with this, much as I love the DR, comfortable and long distance rides are not 2 words that you associate with the DR650, It can do it for sure, but getting off the DR after riding around South America was enough, if the DR had burst into flames I would have probably just gone for a beer. Im getting too old, I need a multi cylinder bike that cruises on the blacktop and is fairly roomy and comfortable. The DR will still get plenty of use for dual sporting and I might even take it across Asia solo one day, but no more major 2up trips