Okay... need to bounce some ideas off you guys

[Wanderer]

Meanwhile, I can do pretty much any work I need to on my V-Strom, my Triumph, my Honda, and most other bikes with the regular non-BMW tools I already own.

--mark

True - I've been in metric/blue and white propeller land for long enough - I'd agree, changing toolsets is a royal pain in the ass


I'd suggest a Transalp - but it fairly underpowered for its weight - 55hp or so in a 450lb frame.
Been trying to ponder this one out - there dont seem too many beasts that fit into what you're trying to find I'm afraid

Could always go the ducati route http://www.terramostro.com/

In all seriousness though - keep us posted. If you can find something in this niche I'd love to hear about it - up to this point KTM's been the most likley candidate really.

Sling a post up in Beasts over on ADV, see what comes out of the woodwork.. never know!

[markbvt]

I'd suggest a Transalp - but it fairly underpowered for its weight - 55hp or so in a 450lb frame.

Plus they haven't been imported here in about 20 years.

Been trying to ponder this one out - there dont seem too many beasts that fit into what you're trying to find I'm afraid

Could always go the ducati route http://www.terramostro.com/

In all seriousness though - keep us posted. If you can find something in this niche I'd love to hear about it - up to this point KTM's been the most likley candidate really.

Sling a post up in Beasts over on ADV, see what comes out of the woodwork.. never know!

Yeah, a Terramostro is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for... or the custom SV in my original post... but obviously I'd have to build one. That's why I'm seriously considering building one out of my Wee-Strom... again though, just haven't decided yet whether it makes more sense to do that or to leave the Strom alone and put the money into replacing the XR650L with a Husky or Xchallenge.

--mark

[nt650hawk]

The Romanian website motoflash has posted speculative images of a new Cagiva Elefant. Cagiva is now owned by Harley-Davidson, and Milwaukee has hinted at the return of the cultish dual sport classic. The images are by designer Oberdan Bezzi: in the colorway shown, there’s a nod to the original Elefant 650—which, incidentally, used a Ducati engine. Bezzi has created a super ‘Lucky Strike Explorer‘ version too.



Elefant should be of interest to you Paris-Dakar rally fans. The Elefant was first put on the road in 1985, the year Cagiva purchased Ducati; good timing, as those first Elefants used Ducati's 650cc Pantah V-Twin motor. With long-travel suspension, comfortable ergonomics and good wind protection, the Elefant gained a loyal (if small) following over its 15-year history, evolving through two product cycles into the last E900s sold in 1999. The new bike, according to Oberdan, should have a combo trellis/cast frame and long-travel inverted forks. Expect the Helicon motor to be retuned for hill-climbing, sand washes, and running from AK-47-toting bandits.
The Schiranna - presumably named for the hometown of MV Agusta's engine plant - is a much sportier prospect. It's pure superbike, from the radial-mount Brembo brake calipers to the giant swingarm. Expect this bike (if it exists) to have a highly tuned Rotax V-Twin and be aimed squarely at Ducati's competition-crushing 1098R; since MV Agusta will be building high-performance triples and fours, it makes sense to use Cagiva to tackle the V-Twin superbike market. Of course, the question on our minds is how much Harley-Davidson will support projects like this in tough economic times. Was the Schiranna the bone of contention that compelled Tamburini to quit? For now, nobody's talking.

[gregp]

"We are estimating the MSRP would be $68,000 with a lead time of about 12 months."


Reading comprehension > you.

This is a harsh forum. The idea is that the Ex500 engine is a sweet one, and that one may be able to pull something like this off themselves - Ex500 motor + XR600 or 650 frame.

[Dichotomous]

Plus they haven't been imported here in about 20 years.



Yeah, a Terramostro is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for... or the custom SV in my original post... but obviously I'd have to build one. That's why I'm seriously considering building one out of my Wee-Strom... again though, just haven't decided yet whether it makes more sense to do that or to leave the Strom alone and put the money into replacing the XR650L with a Husky or Xchallenge.

--mark

I'd be willing to help you turn that wee into a proper off road bike, with the construction and ideas that is.

[markbvt]

Cagiva Elefant

That would definitely be nice, but I doubt they'd even bother to bring it to the US. Kind of like the Moto Morini Granpasso:


( )

The idea is that the Ex500 engine is a sweet one, and that one may be able to pull something like this off themselves - Ex500 motor + XR600 or 650 frame.

Huh. That's an interesting idea. I wonder how hard it would be to shoehorn an EX500 mill in there...

I'd be willing to help you turn that wee into a proper off road bike, with the construction and ideas that is.

Thanks. Know how to make a custom axle and spacers?

--mark

[gregp]

Here is a Ninja 650 motor tucked into an older XL600 frame. The execution looks a bit questionable, but it can be used as an example for some ideas:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda...#ht_500wt_1182

[Dichotomous]

That would definitely be nice, but I doubt they'd even bother to bring it to the US. Kind of like the Moto Morini Granpasso:


( )



Huh. That's an interesting idea. I wonder how hard it would be to shoehorn an EX500 mill in there...



Thanks. Know how to make a custom axle and spacers?

--mark

not yet, but I know someone with a milling machine thats set to go online soon and then we can learn how......

[markbvt]

Here is a Ninja 650 motor tucked into an older XL600 frame. The execution looks a bit questionable, but it can be used as an example for some ideas

Yeah, that frame is far from stock. Still, it's an interesting idea.

--mark

[ssg]

Meanwhile, I can do pretty much any work I need to on my V-Strom, my Triumph, my Honda, and most other bikes with the regular non-BMW tools I already own.

The only BMW tool I own is the oil filter. The 07+ units no longer have the tricky crap on the abs systems either, bleed just like a regular system no special dance or funnel required.

[SVenpointsixtwo]

Reading this thread I'm getting more and more tempted to sell the second sport bike come spring and find an adventure bike instead... damn you mark!

[ssg]

adv bikes are fun. They rock for regular streetriding too, I have a lot more fun on my GS on the streets at legal speeds than I do with my 1000rr

[GixerJockey]

vstrom 1100 ????

if I missed the reasons why this doesn't , ignore!

Cause it's doesn't exist...






I've gotta go with some others. If you can't raise enough cash for the sale of your current bikes to buy what you want, mod the Strom...