Royal Enfield 500 with knobblies on?

You're having a laugh
Saying that 150 miles is about right i guess for one of those, then you need to tighten all the bolts and reset the valve clearances

Cheap though, about £500

I'd like to see someone try it with the new motor'd version. Everyone who's ridden one seems to rave about how they've entered the 21st century without loosing the essentials (fuel economy and simplicity). Build quality I wouldn't worry about, the 2004 I had had fewer problems than any BMW I've ever owned except the first F650. I'm not sure the HP limitation would be to everyone's taste, but IMHO they are getting very close (if not actually there) to a very usable bike. I think in maybe 2 years time there'll be people telling us good things about Enfields.

My other suggestion is the Bonneville/Scrambler family. Despite Triumphs best attempts to market this as a weekend polishers machine (just like Watsonian with the Bullet), they are proving very tough and reliable. Spec wise, excepting the DOHC and chain drive it's very similar to a BM airhead without 20 years of other people's bodges. Check out what the boys on ADV rider are doing, there are a fair few using the bikes instead of just playing Steve McQueen down the local coffee bar.

When I started looking for a usable bike I'd had enough of the likes of BMW's bling. If you'll excuse the mention (not trying to start this one again) I wanted to go more Ted Simon and less Ewan & Charley. I don't want CAN systems and HID lights and a solar powered step ladder to get me into the 10-foot saddle. While I like the look of the new Tenere I know the Bonneville will get me just about anywhere and think the right Bullet could too. Time for one or two of the manufacturers to take a step back and see where their now overweight overcomplex "Adventure" machines came from IMHO (not that they will, most R1200GS's ride on the M-25).

Andy

^^^^^^^^

I agree with the overspeced, overhyped bikes

and i have recently bought a BMW1100GS, i thought i would try one!! I don't like it at all, ok on the open road, other than that UP FOR SALE IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED
Personally i prefer to travel light!!

It's a bit like camping, folks take everything bar the kitchen sink

Camping to me is a tent, a primus a saucepan and a frying pan

A frying pan AND a saucepan , thats luxury .

Crazy i am

If you particularly want a twin, then perhaps a KLE500 might fit the bill? - it ain't a rocketship, or particularly inspiring to ride, but it would do the job as a travel mule?

If you want the 21st century version, the Versys seems to get good reviews, but is more road/tarmac biased of course...

If you want a single, then as has already been mentioned, the new Tenere is rather good...

xxx

I can't praise the bike enought, have a look at the new KTM 690. Of course it's no twin, but runs fairly smooth for a single, has lots of power, is not too heavy and has an excellent handling.

There's three issues I'm having with it so far:

It needs to see the dealership every 5000km for an oil change and every other time for the valves. For a travel bike that's a bit short in my book, but if you can do your own maintenance it might not be a big deal.

The stock seat is horrible for touring.

The tank is a tad small. I get about 200km before hitting reserve, but there's a lager add on tank available from Aqualine.


The bike is worth checking out, even if it's too expensive right now you might be lucky in a year or two.

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