Bike selection for Trans-America Trail

[swamp]

. I was recently invited to run the Trans-America Trail this summer but I have almost no dual-sport experience. Common sense seems to make the KLR 650 the logical choice but I really want the KTM 690 Enduro. I'm concerned about reliability and parts availability for the KTM. School me.

[Chippertheripper]

Reliable as a stone, and parts are fine.
If you aren't looking to spend a true large some of money, look at the previous gen lc4's. The 400/620/640. They came in both ds and adv trim (400 ds only, ktm called the ds an e. Lc4 400e or 620e)

Also, look at a husky te610. Husky dealers are a little harder to come by, but still has some euro refinement. (6spd)

And a dr650 is a dime-a-dozen like the klr, and should readily be found all kitted for cheap.

[Stromper]

I think they are all fine

Get an aftermarket seat and careful tire selection

What are the others riding as you have to keep up but also go as long to get along

There are a few that have done it happily with a Vstrom 650

[black]

I was thinking to do it next year and wil be takign my xr650r... lots of detail on it at ADV.. lots of parts. reliable... battle tested...

[Piston]

Are you doing the entire trail? I did the eastern section on my KTM 640E. My friends were riding a KLR650 and a KTM 990 Adventure S (the super tall version). None of us had any problems on the trail that regarded bike sizing. For the western section "supposedly" the 990 would be considered a little big, but depending on your riding ability it may or may not be.

Really, just about any dual sport bike is fine, if your in the market for a bike, and you want to do the TAT in addition to your normal riding, I would buy whatever bike fits your riding style best, and not a specific "TAT" bike. Just use whatever you end up with. If your doing the western section (hopefully since it's a billion times better) then it will be easier on a smaller bike than a KLR, but again, it's not necessary. If I had my choice, I'd ride a 990 on the Eastern portion, and the 690 on the Western. I talked to a guy who did most of the Western section on a Ural, and he said there were only 2 places that he couldn't get his Ural through because of the narrow passage.

I think a 690 would be a perfect bike for the trip, with an aftermarket seat of course, and I was more than happy (aside from the seat) with my 640. I do plan to finish the trail on the 640 someday.

I rode my 640 from my house to the start of the TAT, with a few off road excursions on the way to break up the monotony, and made it 1,100 miles in 28 hours on the stock seat. I was using an Alaskan sheepskin pad but even with that, I actually lost the use of my right index finger and needed to use my left hand to turn the key on and off. The feeling came back over the next couple of days but I still couldn't use that finger, after about 9 weeks I was still noticing that I couldn't hold a pen correctly when writing something down. It eventually cleared up and is perfectly normal now, but lesson learned.

[swamp]

Ktm 690 enduro r is in the paddock. Next stop : Twisted Throttle.

[maxim_X]

There you go! pics!

[Paul_E_D]

WOW! Go for it!!! The 690E is the ultimate tool for the job. The seat on the other hand... Get a good one!

[swamp]

[swamp]

Almost ready. I'll be heading down to Tellico Plains ,Tenn. the first week of August. After meeting two other guys we're going to do the Dragon and then start the TAT. If anyone wishes to come along for part or all let me know.

[Talus]

Best of luck.