New adv bike opinions please!

General BS :bull: and other irrelevant chit-chat :kumbaya:
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stretchride
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Re: New adv bike opinions please!

Post by stretchride »

GearedUp wrote:While chatting with the dealer he told me there wasent going to be a 2014 Tenere as they are doing a model upgrade.
FWIW I saw a Yamaha memo to a dealer on the net this week stating the new bike will be released in March 2014...
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StretchRide
04 KTM 450 EXC-G Racing
06 Honda XR650L
windblown
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Re: New adv bike opinions please!

Post by windblown »

The new KTM is much more street oriented, more complex compared to the old one, and a first year model run. All this from a manufacturer that rarely makes major changes painlessly on a first year model run.

A couple of things to consider: The big adventures are cool but unless you have deep pockets you won't want to learn how to ride off-road on one nor take them places they will be getting beat up on a regular basis. I'd suggest pricing replacement cost for an exhaust, gas tank, rims, or radiators on them before diving in.

Given your stated desires the next issue is tires no matter what bike you opt for. 500 mile days on the road with tires suitable to keep a big bike rubber side down when things get knarly? A tire for that does not exist unless you have a support truck following you around.

Having said all that I still dig the big adventures. They will handle long miles on the road and moderate two-track quite well with an experienced rider. If you have the desire to travel long distances by road and want to be able to get off the beaten path when you get there then an Adventure bike is a fine tool for the job IMHO.

I'd recommend picking up a used Adventure bike and spend some of the money you save to buy a used D/S to get comfortable riding dirt/two-track. Sell which ever one you end up enjoying less and avoid a steep first year depreciation on either one.
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