Hi all,
Arrived 2 weeks ago from the Sahara Desert Challenge, Portugal to Dakar
Sahara Desert Challenge - A grande aventura africana
Went with my Defender 90 300Tdi, but got an itch to do it again on 2 wheels.
Currently have a XT1200Z Super Tenere which will be on sale, I'm done with heavy bikes, and rigid luggage as well.
First of all, I'm based in Portugal, so everything's in that context.
Use will be on/off road overlanding in Iberia and Morocco and amateur rallies in Africa.
- I don't want anything over 170kg or so, after equipped with big tank, navigation, etc
- If it could carry a pillion for like 5km in the summer it would be nice, but that's not critical
- I'm done with rigid panniers, soft luggage only from now on. I have a nice camping kit I use on bikepacking, ultra light and compact
- I want at very least 20L of fuel
- I'm OK with kickstart only, and want to have one
- I want to be able to ride to places by road, even long distances. I don't want a trailler queen. I want to be able to ride 800km by road to get to the ferry in Tarifa
- I'm 6'1, 210lb naked
- Don't need a fairing, but a small screen would be nice for me and instrumentation
- I'm on a budget
Right now I'm looking into the several options. All of them get within a €1.000 difference from each other, after big tank or import taxes or whatever
- Honda XR650R - I love the idea of this bike, really do. Only 2 problems, first the subframe strenght, considering my 95kg and a Giant Loop in the back. Second, most units on the market in PT and SP seem to be somewhat worn out. Should I be worried? Would get the Acerbis 24L tank for it
- KTM 640 Adv (model year from 2004 on) - Had 3 guys with them on the Sahara Desert Challenge, they had a great time. Should be the most expensive option (would have to import it) but I guess there's not much to mod or upgrade. Oil change seems to be a nightmare, was a big turn off when I found about it. Are spares still easy to get?
- Yamaha TT600R (model year around 2000/02) - Love the idea of the air cooled engine, it just looks like a tank. Would get the 20L tank. What are the oil change intervals like? Mot of them show up looking a bit old, is that something to be worried about on this model?
- Just loose my head, get a KTM EXC (450 or 500-something) and change the oil each 2000km or so. Which would be the better engine, late RFS? Would it be able to meet my requirements, or am I asking for trouble? The idea of departing with a high power mountain bike with lightweight luggage is so appealing
Thanks in advance for all the help