Which bike, but with a twist, I hope.

[Warthog]

There are hundreds such threads and no doubt some are groaning at the prospect of looking at the same question.

So hopefully this is a little different.
I have 3 simple criteria and I have some ideas about which bikes fit the bill, but I am a bit out of touch with the market.

I may use it for overlanding, I may not. I may venture off-road, I may not. I can say, I doubt I'll cross the sahara on it!!

So I am looking into bikes that

• Are reliable
• Are comfortable
• Are economical (65 UK mpg or more)

No customs, no race-reps, no scooters
Preferably over 125.

That is it:
what do you reckon?

[Jtw000]

I would think BMW. I don't have a lot of experience of very small bikes and some of these might be better still but I can say my G650 single delivers around that mileage, as do the earlier F650gs singles. The F800gs range get pretty close too but in my experience do not have the reliability you expect from them. Singles are probably more reliable in general and better for more all-round use, especially if you venture off-road.

[docsherlock]

Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Jtw000]

It's a good bike and I'm seriously considering one but it doesn't deliver 65mpg. Around the mid 40s is what can you expect and from my experience with the Yam 660 engine that sounds about right. The Tenere is a comfortable bike though. The details are a bit rough around the edges. Even dealers will tell you it's not built to last. Worse still the UK dealer network does not supply free coffee.

[Flyingdoctor]

How about a Kawa versys? I really like the looks of that bike and the engine is a peach, my mate has the road version the ER-6f and it's deceptively quick. I'm not sure about the mpg but it should be somewhere in the ballpark.

[Andysr6]

XT660Z, £3-3.5K for a low milage one, you can get 60-65 mpg cruising at 65mph, very reliable (a few early ones had problems but only a few). Andy B

[rusty max]

Hi Warthog,

that's been discussed forwards and backwards and up and down many times. My contribution is only out of personal experience. Had Honda, BMW, Kawa and Yamaha's before. Ended up with a Suzi VStrom DL650. Very reliable, fast and agile, can go to places and roads where quite a few can't. Easy to lift her up,when things go wrong.
Bought her 1 1/2 years old, 4000km on the clock for 7 grand $ AU. But took me a while to find her. So vey reasonably priced. Bought an airhawk cushion, very comfy to ride with, as well as a few more gadgets.
Big tank gives you a range of 400 to 450km. Fuel consumption is, as long as I stick to the speed limit of 110 kmh, what I, just like all of us always do, app. 4.25 to 4.50 ltr. per 100 km. Always use only standard unleaded 92 oct.petrol.
Sorry we don't work here in gallons any more.
Lot's of members have ridden all over the world on these bikes, the HUBB is full of it. Take one for a test ride and do the same thing with all your favourites, than make a decision. Sure it will be the right one.

Cheers Rusty

[jqd05a]

Hi Warthog

Same as above i've had many bikes and they've all had their strong points but as an all rounder none of them can touch my DL650 Vstrom ,it does everything with ease and now I've put a custom gel seat on I can ride all day in total comfort .

[The Cameraman]

Mornin' Warthog,

I must admit the DL650 V-Strom takes some beating. Very comfy, and economical. There are various models available already fitted with all the goodies like panniers, top box, hand guards and sump guard.

I've owned the BMF F650GS and loved it, replaced it with an R1200GS, which turned out to be a lemon but have ridden several V-Stroms, and the later generation models are superb.

Currently I ride an XT225 and it suits me to perfection but, if I wanted something bigger, quicker, road orientated, then the 650 'Strom would be at the top of my list.

Regards

Reggie

[Threewheelbonnie]

IMHO you don't need a trail bike. Pick something road biased with the right tyre sizes and you can do all the above. Personally I'd suggest a Bonneville Scrambler. If you want more work and less cash involved lighly "Scramblerise" any basic Japanese 500, CB500, ER5 Etc. Much as you'll laught at me for running in reverse to our usual sparing on the subject, how about a Ural solo? You know the things, you have bits to hand, it meets all your needs except maybe the fuel consumption.

Andy

[Warthog]

Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie

IMHO you don't need a trail bike. Pick something road biased with the right tyre sizes and you can do all the above. Personally I'd suggest a Bonneville Scrambler. If you want more work and less cash involved lighly "Scramblerise" any basic Japanese 500, CB500, ER5 Etc. Much as you'll laught at me for running in reverse to our usual sparing on the subject, how about a Ural solo? You know the things, you have bits to hand, it meets all your needs except maybe the fuel consumption.

Andy

Ah, the consumption....

A rig struggles to break 40mpg, so a solo wouldn't be much better.

Fuel may be thrid on the list but in reality I place those three criteria at an equal level. I'm even vaguely considering getting some sort of FI for my rig to improve the consumption as much as I can!! Otherwise, they'd be a laugh.

I get your point on the road biased bikes. In fact, as good as all the other bikes listed are, I am surpirsed that they are all quite big! In my OP, none of it was written tongue in cheek: I meant it - any riding style (bar those listed) and any cc, even 125, although that is maybe bit small.

And it certainly needn't be a new or current model, either!