Trying to choose the right bike [Archive] - Australian LS1 and Holden Forums

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max350

19-01-2008, 10:28 AM

I am trying to choose a road/trail (dual purpose) bike to do a bit of a trip to Alice Springs up to Darwin and back to Sydney.

One of the guys I am going with has just bought a Kawasaki KLE 500 for this trip, and after looking at this bike it looks to me to be a good choice and the right price ($8000 ride away new).

So I was just wanting your opinions on these bikes and also what other bikes you guys would reccomend.

Thanks

CROME SS

19-01-2008, 02:31 PM

mate i would recomend a wr450. they are soooooo reliable. i have a 05 wr450 bought it new. and 3 yrs latter apart from oil and filter and rear tyers nothing has gone wrong at all. i got the vavles reshimed after the first 1000ks and havent needed 2 do it since. other bikes like the crf 450 need 2 do the valves more often alot more often.my best mate has a ktm 450 06model and they are pritty good 2 but not as reliable as mine. also his mate got a klx250 and has had nothing but problems with it so as the saying goes u get what u pay 4. hope this helps.:)

Road Warrior

20-01-2008, 09:46 PM

Ok considering the distances you are going to be covering, I would steer clear of any of the more hardkore enduro 400-450s that are around. Not suited for long days and long distances in the saddle at all.

The KLE500 is ok, basic and an old, agricultural design, but ok and tough. Also look at the KLR650, the Suzuki DR650 or the new Yamaha XT660R/Z. You need cubes for a trip like that. Ideally, if it were me, I would see if I could find a twin or a decent second hand BMWR1100GS to do it, but it depends on your budget. If Kawasaki weren't so tight with the development of their new bikes they they could have developed a new KLR with the parallel twin out of the ER6 for a good enduro bike, all the Jap manufacturers have deserted the big twin enduro market.

Satansfist

21-01-2008, 06:33 AM

mate i would recomend a wr450. they are soooooo reliable....

:lol: That 8 litre tank may prove problematic!

I'd have to agree with Road Warrior, a big twin of any description will do the job in a much better way. Even though the japanese manufacturers may have left the scene a couple of years ago (although the Suzuki V-Strom is still made) it does mean there's a whole bunch of used long range dual purpose bikes about the place.

Honda Varadero or Transalp
KTM Adventure (pricey) or the single
BMW Big tanked R/GS models
A Cagiva Elefant would be nice if you could find one
Suzuki DL 1000 V Strom
Triumph Tiger
Yamaha XTZ 660 or a TDM with the right tyres

Anyway...have a search online...

flappist

21-01-2008, 02:05 PM

Having just done this I can give you my results I found after a LOT of investigating.

Important points:
Weight: If you fall off can you pick it up by yourself?
Range: It can be a bloody long way between fuel stops, 300km min
Fuel: If it only runs on 95 or 98 you will get into trouble out west.
Cylinders: If you only have 1 you will not enjoy it after the first 1000km of buzzzzzzzzzz.
Windscreen: If there are long road sectors you will be far less fatigued if you have a screen.
Cost: You get what you pay for.

Bikes looked at:

KLE500: Pros; Cheap, reliable, jap, water cooled, 2 cyl, good range. Cons; not very quick or very good off road and heavy 181kg dry.
KLR650: Cheap, reliable, jap, watercooled, good range. Cons; heavyish 173kg, 1 cyl.
KLX450/CRF450/WR450/whatever: Pros; go like cut cats. Cons, 1 cyl, short range, need 95/98 fuel, high maintenance etc (they are race bikes, treat them that way)
XLV650: Pros; Cheap, reliable, jap, water cooled, 2 cyl, good range. Cons; not very quick or very good off road and heavy 193kg dry.
R1200GS: Pros; purpose made for this type of riding. Cons; $25k and heavy over 200kg (N.B. the old model R1150GS is 35kg heavier)
DL650: Pros; Cheap, reliable, jap, water cooled, 2 cyl, good range. Cons; not very good off road and heavy 197kg dry.
DL1000: Pros; Cheap, reliable, jap, water cooled, 2 cyl, good range. Cons; not very good off road and heavy 208kg dry.
Cagiva Navigator: Same as DL1000 except not jap and cagiva's legendary parts availability........
Aprillia Caponord: (see navigator)
KTM 640: Pros; Purpose made and excellent in all aspects except 2. Cons; 1 cyl and expensive.
KTM 990: Pros; Purpose made and excellent in all aspects except 2. Cons; Heavy 199kg and expensive $22k.

I bought a KTM 990 and it is extremely good except that I dropped it in the mud yesterday by myself and had to wait 2 hours for it to cool down so I could get into the right position to stand it up.

Another thing to concider is many of these bikes are very tall and if you cannot stand flat footed while sitting you will not have a good time. The motocross/enduro enthusiests on here might arc up about that but there is a big difference between a 3 hour blast about on the weekend and the 6th consecutive day of riding 500km with a full pack and panniers.

max350

21-01-2008, 03:18 PM

Thanks for your input guys. As you mention Flappist some of these bikes such as the KLR650 in which I was leaning towards are much too tall (890mm seat height) and you are right in that you need to be able to sit on it with both feet on the ground.

I still have plenty of time and homework to do to try and come up with the right choice.

HYMEY

21-01-2008, 10:02 PM

KTM LC4. The motors get over 100000kms no worries. And proven desert race winner.

Not knocking the jappers as I own one!.But suspension is light years over the Japanese 600cc+.

In that particular area its the go. I ridden all the 650cc bikes and helped my father choose a bike. I was blown away by the LC4s suspension and handling for such a heavy bike.

I wouldnt run anything less than 600cc on a thumper for long trips. Just for comfort factor. The DRZ400 however is a very good bike and can do long tips no worries.

As much as the WR450 is very reliable. AND has a proven valve design and head, it would be a poor choice as the short skirt piston is more for racing than long distance riding. Its very easy to glaze the bore and do other internal damage on long trips doing constant rpms(even if its geared taller). Not to say it hasn't been done before. Just thats there is more of a chance of something going wrong!

timbo99

24-01-2008, 11:33 AM

As you mention Flappist some of these bikes such as the KLR650 in which I was leaning towards are much too tall (890mm seat height) and you are right in that you need to be able to sit on it with both feet on the ground.

The suspension can be altered to your height. I've seen a KLX which looked like the tyres were rubbing under the guards, I couldn't help but laugh to myself when I saw this guy 5ft nothing jump on it and blast off.

having never had to adjust the suspension down I have no knowledge, but ride height wouldn't allow that much movement so it must've been a short spring, and I'm guessing to balance the steering geometry you'd have to drop the forks through the triple clamps...

Anyway, height should be able to be adjusted so don't let this alone stop you in your choice.

old holden V8

24-01-2008, 12:03 PM

What about....

-R1100GS (a good one will be hard to find - many that age have done trip(s) like your planning)
-R100GS (again if you can find one..last one was for sale in Australian in 1995)

Both of these have proven outback touring & reliability credentials.

The thing is with both of these is that they have very good resale, if you intend flogging later on.

my 2c..

Cheers

:)

Laurie

Here's one...

http://www.bmwmccvic.org.au/index.php?option=com_classifieds&task=view&id=251

Cheers

Laurie
:)

max350

24-01-2008, 07:32 PM

The suspension can be altered to your height. I've seen a KLX which looked like the tyres were rubbing under the guards, I couldn't help but laugh to myself when I saw this guy 5ft nothing jump on it and blast off.

having never had to adjust the suspension down I have no knowledge, but ride height wouldn't allow that much movement so it must've been a short spring, and I'm guessing to balance the steering geometry you'd have to drop the forks through the triple clamps...

Anyway, height should be able to be adjusted so don't let this alone stop you in your choice.

I already enquired about dropping the ride height and there is someone in the states doing a kit to lower the height but it can only be lowered about 1.5 inches I believe due to the shocky mountings getting in the way (or something like that). The bike you saw, was it the latest model or an earlier one, I only ask because they may be slightly different set ups, but I dont know.

aussiedav

26-01-2008, 08:46 PM

Max350 I would go the DR650 or KLR650 myself but question, when you thinking of doing that trip ?

max350

27-01-2008, 04:48 PM

Max350 I would go the DR650 or KLR650 myself but question, when you thinking of doing that trip ?

About next March I think.

flappist

27-01-2008, 05:27 PM

Max350 I would go the DR650 or KLR650 myself but question, when you thinking of doing that trip ?

Have you ever ridden a large single day after day for 10,000km? You will be VERY over the vibration by the end of it.

This is the MAJOR reason I sold my 650 and bought the 990. A long weekend trip up to Longreach (2400km round trip or 800km/day). The last 200km leg was almost agony with the buzzing in my wrists and ankles.

max350

27-01-2008, 05:48 PM

Have you ever ridden a large single day after day for 10,000km? You will be VERY over the vibration by the end of it.

This is the MAJOR reason I sold my 650 and bought the 990. A long weekend trip up to Longreach (2400km round trip or 800km/day). The last 200km leg was almost agony with the buzzing in my wrists and ankles.

Yes I've done a couple of trips and I know exactly where your coming from. these were done on cruiser style bikes 1 being a Yamaha star series which was very comfortable and easy to ride all day but another was a Harley and it was painful. After 150Ks you would have to stop to get some feeling back in your hands and feet due to the vibration. Also done it on sports bikes and would never do that again. This time want a dual purpose for being able to off road a little and I know we will be sore and tired after each day of riding but we will just have to put up with it.

aussiedav

27-01-2008, 06:34 PM

Have you ever ridden a large single day after day for 10,000km? You will be VERY over the vibration by the end of it.

No not personally but know many worldwide that have and do, he never mentioned doing big days and sorry but 800klm a day is NOT a big day. When you start doing 1500-2000klm days then we might agree.

flappist

29-01-2008, 07:05 PM

No not personally but know many worldwide that have and do, he never mentioned doing big days and sorry but 800klm a day is NOT a big day. When you start doing 1500-2000klm days then we might agree.

If you have ridden a single engine motorcycle for 2000km continuously (which would be at least 7 fuel stops) then you have either ridden for 20 hours which means you have been riding for long periods at night which in the bush is just plain stupid.

OR

You have been riding very fast for at least 12-14 hours (singles don't do 300km/h like a 1400GTR and at 150km/h tend to eat lots of fuel) which means you have ridden fast at night which is even stupider.

I see from your profile you are a realestate principal so as a member of such a trustworthy, honest non-exageratory profession I am sure everything you say is absolutely true and correct.

I know someone who has driven right around australia in an EH wagon, if a forum member asked me what to take on such a trip I would tell them that it could be done but a Clubsport (or GT) would probably be a lot less of a pain. But then I wonder if there would be a realestate agent somewhere who had done it twice over a long weekend with flat tyres and no headlights........

aussiedav

29-01-2008, 07:32 PM

If you have ridden a single engine motorcycle for 2000km continuously (which would be at least 7 fuel stops) then you have either ridden for 20 hours which means you have been riding for long periods at night which in the bush is just plain stupid.

OR

You have been riding very fast for at least 12-14 hours (singles don't do 300km/h like a 1400GTR and at 150km/h tend to eat lots of fuel) which means you have ridden fast at night which is even stupider.

I see from your profile you are a realestate principal so as a member of such a trustworthy, honest non-exageratory profession I am sure everything you say is absolutely true and correct.

I know someone who has driven right around australia in an EH wagon, if a forum member asked me what to take on such a trip I would tell them that it could be done but a Clubsport (or GT) would probably be a lot less of a pain. But then I wonder if there would be a realestate agent somewhere who had done it twice over a long weekend with flat tyres and no headlights........

Mate I am not here to argue with you over something you obviously know little about and taking a low shot at my profession is uncalled for. When you know who you are talking to and that I know what I am talking about then come back and we will try again. If you just want to talk shit out the side of your mouth go do it with someone else. Possibly start with the current issue of Australian Road Rider mag.

I didn't come here for this crap.

flappist

29-01-2008, 09:36 PM

Mate I am not here to argue with you over something you obviously know little about and taking a low shot at my profession is uncalled for. When you know who you are talking to and that I know what I am talking about then come back and we will try again. If you just want to talk shit out the side of your mouth go do it with someone else. Possibly start with the current issue of Australian Road Rider mag.

I didn't come here for this crap.

13 posts total, all of them in the bike forum. This is ls1.com.au. What DID you come here for?

aussiedav

30-01-2008, 06:54 AM

flappist

30-01-2008, 12:29 PM

This is a bike forum, the message board is car related. If I missed a rule saying only ls1 owners are able to join please direct me to it. After all I am just a low life real estate agent with no morals or intelligence. :bounce:

Max350 originally asked for advice about buying a DUAL PURPOSE bike suitable for a trip from Alice Springs to Darwin and then back to Sydney.
The return trip could either be back down the Stuart then across vi Broken Hill or across the Barkley and down the eyre dev road (mostly dirt) or even down via Longreach etc.

If you have done this trip you will be aware of the issues, if not I will inform you.

1) Fuel stops are often a long way apart and there is bugger all phone coverage to call for help if you have an oops.
2) There are huge numbers of animals and eagles and travelling at night or close to it is extremely dangerous. It is a long way to a hospital when you are lying on the ground with bits of skippy or eagle all over you and your arms and legs are all bent and broken.
3) The are many boring long straight runs that up until recently you could do 200km/h++ if your bike was capable but now are limited. You are also limited by fuel availability.
4) It is very hot and therefore fatiguing.
5) There are no singles that work well flat out for long periods, they tend to vibrate and use lots of fuel so 130 or so is about as good as it gets.

If you don't care about the buzzing and want to see the country and take your time then by all means a single will do it quite easily. If you want a bit less discomfort then a twin (ktm/bmw/kle/dl/xlv) or triple (tiger) would be a better choice.

Now this info is not from a magazine article or from some club guru it is from ACTUALLY going to these places and learning, sometimes the hard way. I have owned Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Aprillia singles and have been riding for 35 years (and am still alive with all my arms and legs attached). You think maybe what I have to say has some merit?

You have admitted that you have not ridden long distances on a single so why do you attack someone who has and is giving first hand advice because it does not agree with what you believe?

aussiedav

30-01-2008, 04:30 PM

jws

30-01-2008, 05:25 PM

Mate check out the husqvarna (Husky) range. TE 250/450/510. I have a TE510 and it really moves.

flappist

30-01-2008, 06:59 PM

This has gone way off topic and none of my earlier replies warranted such replies from you. From saying I am stupid to possibly being a liar and then not only abusing myself but my profession.

I had considered this to be a friendly forum of people talking about bikes and the riding of said motorcycles. I am not going to tar the whole forum with your undeserved replies attacking myself but I will retreat to where civilised behaviour online is more common.

You have managed to turn this into a me against you regarding distance riding of single cylinder motorcycles. Obviously you got your nickers in a knot over my comment of an 800klm day not being such a big deal as it obviously is to you. I can deal with that but do not abide personal attacks on me or my business.

Take care all, remember .... it's just a road.

http://www.davojones.com

Ok, you are correct, this has gone off topic and I withdraw the comments about your profession and doubting your veracity. You are obviously a keen road rider based on your web page.
You also appear to have a lot of experience on long runs on major roads and have supported your position.

Getting back to the original plot. The actual distance traveled is only part of it, the comfort and suitability of the vehicle is also a major component.
I suspect your rides on your 1000 would have probably not been possible on a smaller bike or on crap dirt roads but that means nothing really.

Max350 has to choose his bike. You have made points, I have made points and so have others. He will choose whatever and if it is the wrong choice will choose something else next time or if the right choice will not.

And you are right, it is just a road and we all share it...

jimmy 1973

06-03-2008, 08:25 AM