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Picked up a Duke 890R for mostly track duty last year. It's registered, but until I get a spare set of wheels to toss of PR5's on (for wet track and street duties), then it's track only since it's got race tires on it now.
I'm back in the casual market for something that's for street. Comfortable, with wind protection and good highway manners for commuting, and handles rougher roads well since I live in the sticks is the goal.
Be nice to have shaft drive to lower the maintenance. But not required.
I don't want to buy two new bikes in two years, so ideally used.
I do prefer twins, though that isn't a hard preference. A little soul is the goal. And 100+ hp.
I'm pretty wide open to considering things, but I was thinking a R 1200 GS could be decent (though unsure of how highway manners are). Or something else? I dunno.
What do you have for ideas?
2021 KTM Duke 890 R
2020 BMW R1250GS Adventure Exclusive
1982 Honda CB750F Super Sport
Soul means no Japanese, I take it? Because an S10 would make for a great all-around cheap commuter. I'm tempted to also recommend the AT (you can get the gen1 for super cheap), but they're more suited for offroad work with the 21/18 setup.
1200GS are definitely highway friendly, that's essentially their primary purpose. Downside being it's a BMW, i.e. open your wallet. Up front cost is gonna be $$. And certain years had FD issues.
Triumph 1200 Explorer? Also fits your criteria, a lot of people love them, although a lot of people that I know have ridden one rate it towards the bottom of the big ADV exotic bike ratings, as do most reviews.
KTM 1290 is still the best, though. Not that I'm biased or anything. Biggest downside is that it's a KTM. That hasn't stopped me from doing 51k miles on mine, though. Stupid fast, comfortable, insanely fun and they are really easy to work on.
Last edited by SRTie4k; 02-17-22 at 02:17 PM.
2023 KTM 890 Adventure R
Have you considered a Triumph Scrambler 1200? Awesome, comfortable road bike (as long as you don’t mind a naked bike), great, fun engine, and does really well off-road if you want to do that.
2019 Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE
2022 Husqvarna fe501s
1200/1250 GS is up there on the list, but I see values all over the place. Def want to be under $10k for a used bike. Not sure where that would get me in the year range for a 10-30k mile bike.
1290 SA would be mint, but those are still pretty spendy.
- - - Updated - - -
Already have a naked bike. I need to have something with a bit more wind protection.
Last edited by TheIglu; 02-17-22 at 03:10 PM.
2021 KTM Duke 890 R
2020 BMW R1250GS Adventure Exclusive
1982 Honda CB750F Super Sport
Before the pandemic I saw all kinds of "hex head" (05-09) GSes in the $5-8k range liberally sprinkled with goodies. I almost partook once or twice.
Now who the hell knows.
I know you can search, but this was on my CL 1st page today, sure you know the dealer, just under the $10k
2012 BMW R1200GS-NO DEALER FEES - $9,885
https://providence.craigslist.org/mc...446607936.html
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I was going to say S10 or Tiger 1200 if on a budget. Can find some good deals on the used market for both, even in this market depending how old you're willing to go. As for the Tiger, it's a great street bike/tourer that can do some moderate offroad; that's where it lacks against the other ADVs. I have 60k on mine now and love it as a street bike that sees occasional fire roads. I find its triple fits in nicely between the big twins and some I-4s making it a great all-rounder although possibly lacking some character to certain folks. If buying older, the Tiger was one of the few with factory cruise control, a must in this category for me now.
could always get this and put a skid plate on it: 2016 S1000XR
Idk what is a good street Offering
But honestly ADv bikes make good road/touring/commuting bikes
T7/890R/901…latter 2 for more soul
GS1250 to be cush
You don’t mention price but Tiger 1050’s sell for absurdly little money.
I think the only shaft drive ADV’s are the big GS, Super Tenere, VFR1200X, and Whynot’s Guzzi.
I have a friend with a KTM 1090 ADV-R and he loves it, I’m seeing these in the $9k-11k range.
That’s about the price range for a used Africa Twin too.
The 2014+ VStrom 1000’s had some huge improvement over the previous generation and I’ve seen some for around $6k.
Can probably find a Tiger 800 for around that too.
I saw a 790 ADV for $10k the other day but it doesn’t look like it’s still up.
You had a Wee 650 - how was that in terms of your rough road needs? Was that enough ADV capability, or do you need more? That’s probably the difference between 19” and 21” front wheels.
Tracer? Not a shaft drive but plenty nice everywhere else and handles jeep roads well.
I went from riding Moab Dirt roads one morning to 1000mi/day to riding the tail of the dragon on the same bike without being uncomfortable or worrying if the bike can handle it.
100+ hp (just barely though)
All day comfort
Low maintenance (30k mi valve jobs, oil every 9k miles or so, gas & tires)
Newer tracer gt’s have factory cruise
Plenty of nice factory luggage options
Cross reference parts (FZ, FJ & XSR’s share some)
Last edited by Crconnor18; 02-17-22 at 09:00 PM.
I don't need off-road capability like a T7 or something. It's just that my normal commute has me taking dirt roads and the paved roads are absolute shit (smoother if they were dirt). Not needing 19" or 21" front wheel, just need something with more suspension/plushness than a normal sport tourer.
No trails/enduro/etc. If I wanted a dirt bike, I'd get one for just that purpose.
2021 KTM Duke 890 R
2020 BMW R1250GS Adventure Exclusive
1982 Honda CB750F Super Sport
As for budget, $20k is out. Like to keep this around $10k or less.
The Wee was fine. It did everything I wanted it to. But it didn't rustle my jimmies. I want something that rustles my jimmies. I want my jimmies to be rustled.
2021 KTM Duke 890 R
2020 BMW R1250GS Adventure Exclusive
1982 Honda CB750F Super Sport
All I need to do is think about my Hyperstrada and the jimmy rustling starts. This one looks clean:
Ducati Hyperstrada 2016
Yeah, I realize that. I'm not opposed to a 19" front, but it isn't a requirement for me, that's all.
2021 KTM Duke 890 R
2020 BMW R1250GS Adventure Exclusive
1982 Honda CB750F Super Sport
For plushness, I'd say R1200GS all day long.
How about the 1190S? Pretty easy to find under $10k. A little rougher around the edges than the 1290, but they all share the same frame, motor and most parts.
2023 KTM 890 Adventure R
2023 KTM 890 Adventure R
1150GS? Supposedly they were more bombproof than many of the 1200 variants. I like the R1150 motor like I like my Harley; it's a little bit agricultural. A little like driving a tractor on the highway.
Versys? Maybe a Versys 1k? I know you like the Kawi I4's. Several of my circle have bought Ninja 1k's and are absolutely bananas about them. They are very quick.
Seen a couple Tiger 800's for downright reasonable ask lately. I almost think I could do a Tiger 800 XC.
I have my heart set on buying a T7. I'm even almost prepared to pay full retail and be done with it. But those are unobtanium right now. So I have half an eye out for a reasonably priced F800 GS.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...1138510359780/
Seems like a killer deal for a weapon of an adventure touring bike
IMO, the Tiger 800 is similar to a Wee. It'll do it, but nothing really gets rustled. I believe you had the same opinion after renting one out in CA, right?
Rode a Versys 1K around Thompson for a whole session. The lack of torque turned me off to it after coming off my 890. Other than that, it was fairly nice. But man did you have to wind it up to get ANY pull out of it. No ZRX motor, that's for sure.
Rode a GS1150A down at Deal's Gap. Pretty nice. The suspension is amazing. My big worry is the height of one, since my commute involves a lot of traffic lights and stop/go.
2021 KTM Duke 890 R
2020 BMW R1250GS Adventure Exclusive
1982 Honda CB750F Super Sport