by Whysub » Sat Mar 12, 2005 12:34 pm
Depends what use you want out of them rewally, so here are my opinions
I had an XR650R supermoto (of course!!) which i loved but it was not a practical everyday bike (oil changes every 500 miles, tappets checket every 1,000 and so on). Clutch bearings and the gearbox output seal should be done by Honda (here in the UK that is) if the bike is pre 2001. Reliability is good, mine did 8,000kms in my hands before being sold on (then stolen), and the motor strong. Just fit an electric fan to the rad though-they can run hot. And if used on road only, get the suspension dropped 25-30mm, as it makes one hell of a difference to handling and also rear tyre wear (really). There are numerous high mileage XR650R's around, but it's not the mileage that does for them, its the type of use they get. Thrash one from cold and it will not last long. Warm them up gently for a few miles, and they will last lots, lots longer.
I rode a BMW650 Dakar for a couple of days off road with BMW. Okay overall, low seat height (compared to the MZ and the Honda at least), but felt very soft engine wise. A couple of blokes at work have them to commute on, but they are always interested in the Baggi. But the BMW does not float my boat.
The KTM's i have ridden are fine (in LC4 engined guise), but a bit vibey and mechanically sometimes unreliable-but they do go well and spares are not extortianate when needed. Ditto Husabergs (not that you asked!)-great power to weight, but can be unreliable, whereas others go with no troubles whatsoever (why is that?).
Not ridden a Transalp except for a test ride in the early 90's-I recall it being heavy and gutless. Same goers for the KLRand XT600-ridden neither. My old XT500 was a pig to start, hot or cold, but I regret selling it, as it had a soul. An R soul.
Needless to say, the MZ's my favourite, as it is great on road, mechanically simple and well proven, can criuse at 90+ all day. Plus after a 300 mile ride, I can still walk normally!
Anyone want a cheap CBR600 and/or CB750?-neither have been used for ages and are cluttering up my garage!![/i]
Moto Guzzi V1200 Sport
Honda CBR600 F-V
Suzuki SV650S -Y
Yamaha Vity
Suzuki Hokuto