Dr650.. XChallenge.. What else?
 

So I'm just toying with the idea of getting one of the above mentioned bikes, and I'm wondering what alternatives there are out there?

If the dr650 was FI I'd go for one in a heartbeat.. But it's not. Also there doesn't seem to be many for sale in the UK, especially post 2000's.
And as the bmw was only produced for a year, I'm worried about part availability..

I looked at the klr650, but it seems the general consensus is that the dr is a better bike, and thus out of those id go for the dr.

Anyway I'm looking for something tall (im 6'2"), and lightish 160kg kinda area. Preferably easy to work on, and still good part availability.

First trip would be Morocco, but ultimately the idea would be to ride it to Mongolia at some point.

Cheers!
Paul

I'm a DR650 fan, I think I posted on your other thread. You may have trouble finding a DR in the UK (as you noted) PS: you want a POST '96 one. Not before. Nothing has changed since.

You can buy a new one from a UK importer but you will pay more. Here in USA you can buy nice, new-ish DR's for $3000 to $4000 usd every day.

I don't know much about the X Challenge, very few on the road here, only in dealers a few years here. Parts? No idea. If you can find a well set up one, why not? Needs some work to set up but should be good.

Also consider DRZ400S Suzuki. Light, fun off road and inexpensive. Pack Light!

Lots of other good choices. If you want TALL ... think Honda or KTM. Either the XR650L or XR650R are OK. L version is the better travel bike out of the box, but the "R" is a cool bike, lighter, a real race bike, better in every way, except not ideal for LD travel. BOTH are Carb bikes. Also consider XR400R.

Biggest downside of Carbs (IMO) is fuel economy. It's not BAD, but not as good as F.I. I prefer Carbs as I can fix them can run on a dead battery.

If you have the money and can afford a fairly NEW-ish KTM 690, go that way. With modification it can be good. Hella fun bike. Lots of fans but very few LD travelers on them. I would not buy an older 690 (pre 2010).

I've owned two KLR's and ridden some really really good ones. But they need A LOT to be good, still won't match a well set up DR650 in rough terrain, ease of maintenance or fun to ride. (just my opinion after doing a 5500 mile Baja, Copper Canyon trip on a KLR and 60,000 miles on my DR650)

What about Ted's Dominator or XR-L? Cheap and cheerful?
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...sale-u-k-81926
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ial-sale-81020

Or what about the 660 Yamaha's (Tenere's and XT-Z)? F.I. tough, reliable if a bit heavy. If I was in UK I'd buy an nice XT600E and call it good. To me, it's most like the DR650.
See Lonerider here on Hubb and his XT600. A ton of support and knowledge here on that bike. bier

I have a `96, DR650 and I'm pleased how it behaves on asphalt and dirt road ....
I made some modifications, the front fork of the DRZ400, Ohlins rear shock and carb mods .... so far I was not let down anywhere ... last year I drove from Serbia to Japan in total of 24.000km and used a semi-synthetic automotive oil, without those special additives for clutch which they advertise for motorcikle and my bike has 98k on the clock.Even my first chain lasted for 75k.

Safe ride

Ditto!
 

Hi Paul.
I've been agonising over these bikes too after narrowing it down. I couldn't find a decent X Challenge and as well as being as rare as rocking horse cake they need a lot of money spent to get them travel right. I've decided to buy a nearly new DR 650 from the states which as long as it goes to plan shouldn't be as difficult and complicated as you might think. You then get a great travel bike that's well proven, well liked and most important light weight (for a 650) Read my other posts on here if you fancy that option. Is the carb thing a downside? I don't think so. Many do but the fact the bike will run on a flat battery is a clincher for me as well as being repairable in the field (literally!)

Hi Paul

I'm assuming you're in UK/Europe. I was looking at X Challenge (light, FI, capable....) the down-sides are the rarity of them (lack of parts) and the cost to get it up to spec - you need to change out the rear air-shock and get a bigger tank. Probably talking of spending 1500eur with some dutch fellas.

In the end I went for KTM 640 adv. Cheap but shaky.

If i couldve stretched the budget and done it again I'd go Yamaha WR250R

How about a Husqy TR650 as an alternative for the XChallenge?
It has a standard shock and a standard tank that wll get you between 350-400km autonomy. Steel frame and Swingarm vs alu on the XC.
Major downside: just like the XC it is has been discontinued. But it shares a lot of parts with its BMW siblings.

There is no lack of parts for the xChallenge, xCountry or xMoto.

Firstly they share the same engine as the older F650 and the new G650, so you've got engine parts for the foreseeable future.

The last bikes were 2009, so you're got parts from the dealer network until 2019 at the earliest, possible later.

They do need a fair bit of modding for long adventures though, and the mods are likely to cost more than those for the DL650.

One good thing about BMW general (and there is only one perhaps two), is that you can use any BMW dealer even car dealers to order parts for you.

Hey Paul. Have you considered the TT600R?

Its a pretty tall bike and has a wet weight of about 155 kilos. Its got seriously good suspension (46 mm Paoli and Öhlins) and is based on the XT engine with minor differences (bigger carbs, lighter flywheel and crankshaft). Simple bike aircooled bike with kick start only...All parts are available from online stores too.

It has a uncomfortable seat and vibes more than I like, but should fit your needs well.

XR650L..

If you can find one.

I have two. :smartass:

I have a 2015 KTM 690 Enduro R with a "rally" kit (fuel tanks and tower - haven't put it on yet, though) and a 2012 Yamaha WR250R, which I have toured extensively on. I have put on a larger tank and beefed up the suspension on the WR. If I was to tour RTW, I would choose the WR. I love the katoom to bits, but I do believe the WR - although having less than half of the KTM's power - would be the more RTW capable of them. It has operated flawlessly in all of its 30 000+ kms. On the KTM, I have already had to replace the speedo as it malfunctioned in the wet.

Agreed!

Just as a lesson learned (bitterly) if you try this route have a good real test ride and - INSIST on starting the bike yourself from stone cold. Mine was a pig to start (and sometimes restart) and theres nothing less fun than stalling in traffic or trying to get going after a fuel stop and spending 15 minutes of swearing.

Suzuki XF650 - cheap as chips - same bottom end as DR650 - usually totally overlooked and under-rated. Have done long trips with little maintenance.

+1 and in trumps.
Mine was usually an utter bitch to start.

I went with a ktm 640 in the end! :)
I got that orange love.. And found the right bike at the right price, from the right owner.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

Just picked one up cheap as chips, pulling it to bits right now to fix up. I had 20 mins riding to make sure it all works before taking it apart. Hopefully will be worth it, but I like it so far, handles better than expected off road.