Hi Guys,
Just struggling with decision which bike to chose since I don't want to spend a fortune but still would be nice to have reliable machine. I cut the list to nc750x,
xt660x tenere and bmw g650GS. The last one probably is gone from the list since I just learnt on this forum the engine for this bmw is made in China and build quality is poor. Problem I have now because I read bad things about xt660 tenere as well regarding build quality, even on the xt660 very forum. So what do you think, am I stick with nc750x? good price on it, but can it make it? not really adventure bike is it?

The Honda has a 17" front wheel. Unless you plan to stay on bitumen, the Tenere might be a better option.

Other than that, Honda would always be a good choice

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Squily

I guess it depends on how you define 'adventure' riding. If you mean prominently maintained roads and gravel track, it should be superb. Or are you talking off-road?

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

I guess would be 50/50 - planning to do Morocco trip this year as well...

Tenere xt660z is very tempting but being single cylinder scares me off a little bit for longer trips, or maybe I shouldn't worry about vibration and loudness in this bike?

thanks

My '86 Tenere did >100kkm with no issues. The new ones are probably even more reliable. If you can live with the 'low' power and soft suspension, the Tenere's are quite good.

If you want a 2-cylinder: there are other options. V-strom etc.

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Squily

I managed a test ride on the Honda (strictly on pavement) and was surprised that the motor had a somewhat industrial feel to it despite being a twin. Ultimately, I bought a 650 V-Strom with which I am pleased.


As far as 17 inch wheels are concerned, the Honda may be different, but I've travelled a good many gravel and dirt road kilometres on a Kawasaki ZR7-S (which is a standard-ish UJM design on 17 inchers) and found it abysmally unsuited to those types of roads. I'm sold on the notion that narrower, larger diameter tires do better on unstable surfaces.

What do you mean by industrial feel?

Sort of a low frequency thumpiness (just made that word up). Some might find it pleasing I suppose.

Don't let a single cylinder bike scare you off. Vibration is minimal if you get the right bike. Weight is your enemy. You don't need a big "ADV" bike. In most cases, you don't want it.

I have 110,000 km on my KTM 690. I've been to 40 countries with it now and she is still going.

The 50% offroad will be very very enjoyable if you have a light bike with a 21 inch front tire. I try to run a knobby like a TKC 80 in the front and a travel tire like a K60 scout in the rear. Its a great balance of traction and longevity.

"is honda nc750x any good for adventure?"

Define "Adventure"

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I have read an article in the German "Motorrad" Magazine, they fitted TKC80 an a NC750X and had a funny time offroad.
They find it interesting, what can be done with this bike offroad, but there was no recommendation to use the Honda as Adventure-Bike

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Greetings
Wolle

you know, type of Indiana Jones Crusade etc

That's very good point and actually I convinced myself today on practice plaza with big suzuki 650 which weighted around 200kg that I don't want so heavy bike. Especially top heavy like this suzuki. On offroad situation probably the less weight the better. I don't want to be squeezed by the machine.

I wonder what range you're getting out off this ktm? looks like nice bike BTW,
but is it really ok for very long trips, eventually Morocco etc?

I have 500 km range on 27 liters of fuel. I have 65 hp. I have amazing suspension. My bike and gear weighs 210 kilo. I can pick it up myself when it tips over. The bike now has 110,000 km and still the original piston. I change the oil every 7,500 km. She pulls hard. and she is very very fun.

I would disagree about the BMW motor. I'd bet the Loncin, China motor is more reliable than previous Berlin one. BMW have had years building them in Loncin now, very few problems with these new motors.

The problem with the G650 and the Sertao are COST and Weight ... not the quality of the motor. I'm really not sure if the rest of the bike is tough enough, but I'd bet it's OK ... not perfect .. but good. But then, you've got to deal with BMW dealers! Got your Gold Card handy?

I'm sure guys on Tenere' forums nit pick on the Tenere' forever, but there are many ride reports featuring the Tenere'. I'd say it's a very solid bike ... but I don't own one.

KEEP IN MIND ... any travel bike you get will need certain modifications to be a good travel bike. None are ready off the showroom floor ... and speaking of Showroom floor ... DON'T BUY NEW ... buy a nice used bike.

That NC Honda would be the LAST bike I'd pick of your choices. Very heavy,
and a 17" front tire is NOT your friend on any sort of dirt, mud, gravel. Major PITA ... unless you have lots of experience and good off road riding skills. It's also unproven as a long term travel bike. Do have the pioneering spirit?
Beta Tester?

Which Suzuki 650 did you ride? Vstrom 650, I'm guessing? Among twin travel bikes, it's quite good ... I think you need to give it some time, learn to ride it. It's one of THE MOST highly regarded travel bikes on the planet. It's also quite a bit LIGHTER weight than the NC Honda. If you're doing more ROAD than dirt, it's an excellent choice once properly fettled.

If you want a light, reliable and inexpensive single dual sport bike ... you don't have many choices in the UK. The Tenere' (too heavy), KTM 690 ($$$$) DRZ400S, XT600E, perhaps a few others to choose.

In the US we don't have XT's or Tenere' but DO have the KLR and DR650. Both reasonable and cheap to buy and maintain.

The KTM 690 would be a great choice if you have the budget, fabrication and mechanical skills ... as a standard bike it's not really travel ready. But the "bones" are good if you keep up with maintenance and really need an
off-road biased dual sport bike.

I'd suggest the XT600E. Cheap, reliable, tough. Lots of knowledge around and plenty of used examples out there.