Camping bike/adventure bike

[AidanDawn2000]

Looking to continue chasing my deep love of motorcycle travel and after almost two years with the good ol’ V-strom 650 I’ve found that it just can’t hang on the jeep roads and doesn’t pass well when loaded two up.

Hoping someone is ready to move on from their:

- Tiger XCX
- Africa twin
- KTM 990 / 1090 / 1190
- tenere 700
- F800gs


Or similar…

Would rather pay a bit less for scratches and chips than top dollar garage queens.
Guaranteed going to a good, adventurous, no car, moto crazed 27 year old, home

 

[budman]

Best wishes on finding a solid bike to further that moto passion.

 

[ScottRNelson]

- KTM 990 / 1090 / 1190

Why is the 790 not on this list?

I've owned both a 990 and a 1090 and the 790 is significantly better off road. Plus it has about four times the ground clearance of the WeeStrom.

I'll never sell mine, though.

 

[AidanDawn2000]

Why is the 790 not on this list?

I've owned both a 990 and a 1090 and the 790 is significantly better off road. Plus it has about four times the ground clearance of the WeeStrom.

I'll never sell mine, though.

Certainly an epic machine, along with the 890 and norden 901 (dream bike) but they are pretty new and thus I thought would be outside my 4-5k budget.

 

[augustiron]

They're out there, maybe a little more change from the couch

2019 KTM 790 Adventure S – Handguards, Skid Plate, 12K Miles - motorcycles/scooters - by dealer - vehicle automotive...

2019 KTM 790 Adventure S – Handguards, Skid Plate, 12K Miles $6,295 The adventure bike everyone wanted. Twin-cylinder power, rally-style low tank, and set up to go anywhere. 🏍️ Bike Details: • Year:...

www.craigslist.org

 

[augustiron]

You are really at a crossroads where you have to decide how hard of dirt stuff you want to ride...
There is no unicorn they are all a compromise pending which direction you want to go.

A big ADV bike that's better on the highway but big/heavy handful in the dirt (1290/1190/990/950etc), or a smaller bike that's better in the dirt and not so great on the highway

Another factor is how big you are, the big bikes are okay off-road for somebody over 6 ft, 200 lb, but shorter inseam people will likely not be comfortable, especially learning, off-road on a big ADV bike.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[augustiron]

Also, I have a well setup DR650 that isn't the prettiest, but well setup for adv I would sell for $4k.
I haven't posted it here yet tho

I bought it as a cheap project bike and threw $4k at it dialing it in and upgrading it

 

[AidanDawn2000]

You are really at a crossroads where you have to decide how hard of dirt stuff you want to ride...
There is no unicorn they are all a compromise pending which direction you want to go.

A big ADV bike that's better on the highway but big/heavy handful in the dirt (1290/1190/990/950etc), or a smaller bike that's better in the dirt and not so great on the highway

Another factor is how big you are, the big bikes are okay off-road for somebody over 6 ft, 200 lb, but shorter inseam people will likely not be comfortable, especially learning, off-road on a big ADV bike.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

Facebook

www.facebook.com

These are wise words and I really appreciate getting some advice (or anybody’s 2¢ if they care to share it)

I’m a pretty strong 6’1 200lb with a decade of downhill mountain bike experience but little dirt bike stuff beyond where the vstrom could take me.

 

[ThumperX]

These are wise words and I really appreciate getting some advice (or anybody’s 2¢ if they care to share it)

I’m a pretty strong 6’1 200lb with a decade of downhill mountain bike experience but little dirt bike stuff beyond where the vstrom could take me.

Additionally you are not a solo rider and often have a pillion, is that correct? That rules out the smaller well mannered ADV bikes like the Ibex.

 

[Dmitriy]

yea for 2 up riding you need at least 1000cc to be comfortable.

1090 is a great bike, FI and can be had cheaper but $5k might be harder to hit as a target.

otherwise the tenere 700 is pretty sweet from what I hear.

 

[SFMCjohn]

yea for 2 up riding you need at least 1000cc to be comfortable.

otoh, chasing “comfort” and motorcycle travel is a losing proposition, perhaps.

embracing the suck:



having said that—friends don’t let friends ride KLRs …

my vote is for the Triumph Tiger XCX.

OP, good luck with your search for a comfortable two-up high-clearance fire road camping/adventure bike—looks like you’ve solved the most difficult part of that equation … finding a willing pillion.