Itchy Feet

[Arma]

I'm not sure if I've just got itchy feet and am just looking for an change but I'm very seriously considering chopping in my 18 month old Tiger 800 for either a KTM 690 Enduro R or, my preference mainly because I hate orange and like to be a little different - a Husqvarna 701 Enduro. I'm not sure exactly why I'm posting this, I've read all the opinions, I've got test rides lined up, but just consider it a musing monologue on the topic. Tell me I'm right, tell me im wrong.

I've just got my girlfriend riding and have just finished accessorising her bike, a G650 Xcountry and I'm strangely jealous. Sure, it's a lot rougher than my silk smooth Tiger and it's comparatively slow. But I don't go fast. Motorways are shit on the Tiger, the only really difference on her single is that they are shit and vibratey. No great loss. Also, I'm mostly riding with her now and so the power my Tiger has is all for nothing, overtaking her has got boring anyway.

My Tiger is all accessorised up, I've got big, bad TT boxes, Sargent Seat, lights, crash bars... and so on. I know I'm going to lose cash, doing this. But my GF has AS Magadan bags, I love them, light and large. Now I've got her carrying cargo I don't need her to carry the kitchen sink myself.

I took the Tiger to Morocco last year, two up, and I wouldn't have wanted anything smaller. At the same time I wished I did because I don't have the confidence on it to tackle any serious off road. I didn't go play in the dunes. I waddled through river crossings rather than riding though them.

I'm a strong lad, I work out regularly and pay special attention to my legs specifically for riding and I can get my Tiger back the right way up after a drop. But lying down the Xcountry to do work on it was a revelation, it's not just that I can do it - I can do it effortlessly. If I put my foot down in a hole on the Tiger it can be tricky, it's a heavy bike. It's heavy at low speed, around the garage, around town. What do I get for the weight? Arguably more wind protection, the ability to accellerate rapidly, to cruise at speed comfortably... Hmm.

I figure I'll need some luggage kit, frames and a rack, a windscreen, a bash plate. That's all achievable easily enough.

What am I missing? What are the downsides to these bikes? I'll have to service more often, no trouble, I can do that easily. Can they carry a tent and two panniers of kit? Do they need such luxuries as engine bars, nobody really seems to have them. Are they as uncomfortable as sin? Any other thoughts?

Final, left of field, idea here. I've found a nice G650 Xchallenge for a reasonable price a couple of hours away. The Xcountry is too short for me, should I chop in an 18 month old Tiger for a 2007 Xchallenge with 10,000 less KMs? There are advantages to having the same bike. I'd get the bike and easily enough cash to fully prepare it, without spending another penny.

[Arma]

Further thoughts. The cheaper the bike the cheaper the insurance, carnet and so on. The less concerned I'll be about dropping it, the more willing I'll be to do crazy things with it. Makes the Xchallenge look appealing.

Damn I'm fickle.

[whiteshiva]

650 air cooled single ....putt putt along the back roads , happy days

[Snakeboy]

Theres many advantages with a light bike. And the most important is that it makes riding in rough conditions so much easier and funnier. And some places a heavy bike will just not get through - but a lighter bike will.

Dont misunderstand me - I would love a well kitted Tiger, but it wouldnt be the bike I took overlanding and it wouldnt be the bike I took out in the woods either.

[Arma]

That's the thing, I'm don't want two bikes so I'm looking for the bike I can use reasonably well for anything at all. Which is always going to be a compromise. I'd characterise the Tiger as the perfect choice for someone who's priority is speed and smoothness. That's not me any more, these days I'm slower than grandmother turtle and I love it that way!

[whiteshiva]

i'm cheating a bit coz i'm kitting out my triumph scrambler 865cc air cooled twin with carbs , NO ABS , NO traction contol , analogue dials , throttle cable a bit heavy but manageable . I'm not planning any really daft offroad stuff so it is good enough for the trails I'll be on already beefed up the suspension

[JohnPhilly]

It all depends on location. There are few places I have been that I wouldn't take my 2 cylinder 800 that I would take a 650 single cylinder. If living in Europe, I would not even consider a single as they are too slow on the tarmac.

I also was entertaining the small bike thoughts after reading the internet forums but after traveling the last 2 years on a motorcycle, I find it is easier to rent a small motorcycle for serious off road.

Like real estate, all goes back to location location location.

Riding from the USA to Argentina, most off roads are just unpaved roads, able to be ridden by a jeep/van etc. It took time but now I am quite comfortable riding 2-up with hard luggage to almost every place I have ever seen ridden by a XR400, DR650 etc etc.

Switching to similar bags on the Tiger will certainly change the feel quickly as hard luggage is prob around 6-7 kilos per bag empty with all the mounting hardware.

[ccaa]

Hi Arma.
First, I would try some new footwear.
Petre