ADV Bug: CB500X Rally Raid

[AimlessMoto]

I'll keep poking around.

Found a CB500X for $3800 with 4000mi on the clock, but it just sold.

Tons of XR650L's and DR's out there though... and KLR's under 3k. I may just have to bite the bullet and live with something for a while to see what I want.

[nhbubba]

Yeah. The CRF250L and the DRZ400 are almost identical in weight. The spec sheet doesn't lie. I own a DRZ. My good friend Roland owns a CRF. I don't know how you get the idea that the DRZ is heavier. Sounds like you found a salesman trying to upsell. My honest opinion is that the current crop of 250cc dual sports (CRF, KLX, etc) are newer, more efficient, more emissions friendly, EFI versions of the DRZ. They scratch almost exactly the same itch. Both are, in my view, very similarly capable.

The seat on the CRF may be better. The DRZ's seat is a real cheek splitter. I upgraded mine with a ~$150 Seat Concepts kit. It's better, but still not 500 mile/day comfortable.

Couple weeks ago I took my DRZ, packed it up for a weekend camping trip, and set out. I didn't even go that far; just about 2 hours. Goal was to see if I could tour comfortably on it or not. Verdict is by far : Hell fucking no! Bike is miserable on the street for over an hour.

It is what it is. It's an epic commuter. It's a ton of fun to fart around with in town. It's easy as hell to own. And it's pretty versatile. But it isn't what I'd throw a leg over to ride to Utah. No way.

Your wish list does not exist. Chip has it.

Have you considered a V-Strom? Heavier than a KLR, but waaaaay more comfortable. EFI. Japanese. Easy parts and service. Keep $1500 in reserve and you can fix the suspension and have something that does just about as well as a Tiger 800 for way less dough. I just chased a gaggle of T800's through the south and back for 3400 miles. No problems keeping up. Just as capable. Great bikes, really.

Look at me. I've been trying to rationalize getting rid of mine for like 1.5 years now.. and still can't. Bike is too good. Competition is not mo' bettah enough.

I skimmed your video. I am pretty sure my V-Strom could do any of that forest road terrain. No problem.

[nhbubba]

Found a CB500X for $3800 with 4000mi on the clock, but it just sold.

This is cheaper : 2009 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom
No rally-raid kit required. Swap the tires. Spend the rest on up-rated suspension sized to you.

[AimlessMoto]

This is cheaper : 2009 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom
No rally-raid kit required. Swap the tires. Spend the rest on up-rated suspension sized to you.

I was searching but never found that one... probably because he typed it V-STROM, and not VSTROM like us heathens.

27k is high, but the price is right... leaves that wiggle room for upgrades... and that one looks completely unmolested. I'll have to dig deep into the V-Strom lore and see if it is something I want to live with.

[Garandman]

So this is an under $4K purchase?

[nhbubba]

27k is just broken in. I have 46k on my '11. It runs well.
Check the valves. They are probably fine. But at that mileage you should check. Then ride the snot out of it.

[AimlessMoto]

So this is an under $4K purchase?

Yeah, gotta go check the first couple pages ... ALL IN, I would like to be between $5500-6000... that's bike plus mods/luggage/fixes/upgrades.

27k is just broken in. I have 46k on my '11. It runs well.
Check the valves. They are probably fine. But at that mileage you should check. Then ride the snot out of it.

Good to know... looks like these things can be pretty fun in the right hands...

[nhbubba]

Lol. That's a little drastic. But apparently you are right, in the right hands.
Mine doesn't do that.. not in my hands anyway. For example I have wheelied it... once.

I can gush for days about what a great value my 'strom has been. Done everything from track days to touring to fire roads to some (very) mild off-roading on it. She's a pig, but a lovable one.

[TheIglu]

I'm mid 30's on my Wee now. I love it more than the day I brought it home.


Don't be in a rush to grab the first one you see, the deals are out there. I got mine (though 5 years older) with 10k fewer miles for a bit cheaper than the one you listed. Though i'm willing to bet that if you walked up with a resonable offer, you'd ride it home.


Cheap to maintain. Cheap to upgrade. Cheap to ride. It's a solid bike.

[Garandman]

Yeah, gotta go check the first couple pages ... ALL IN, I would like to be between $5500-6000... that's bike plus mods/luggage/fixes/

I think you are into the FnnnGS territory then.

[Chippertheripper]

I think you are into the FnnnGS territory then.

He could have any number of european machines that would excel at what he wants to do.

[markbvt]

What about a XR650L with a larger tank and better seat?

I've got one. It's good for dirt roads, but it's a pig on anything gnarly. It's a very tall bike and carries its weight very high up, so it's really top heavy. It also has bizarre ergos -- it's so tall that you need to have long legs to get your feet down, but the footpegs are high and bars are low, making it too compact for tall riders to be comfortable on (especially standing -- even with substantial handlebar risers, I can't ride this bike any significant distance standing). It's also underpowered -- does great at 50mph on a dirt road, but 70 on a bigger paved road makes it feel like the engine is going to grenade. And despite its lack of power, it gets shitty gas mileage.

A plated XR650R would be a much better bet. Lighter by around 50lbs, about 20hp more powerful, better suspended, albeit higher maintenance. But Honda discontinued it a number of years ago.

--mark

[AimlessMoto]

I think you are into the FnnnGS territory then.

He could have any number of european machines that would excel at what he wants to do.

F800GS is the only one that would fit, but you can't find those for under $7000 with low miles and ZERO accessories. And again... euro.

[AimlessMoto]

After doing a LOT more research...

I'm kinda turned onto the idea of a KTM 690 Enduro R. By the time I make the CB500X a dual-sport, it's going to be 140lbs heavier, still have 50hp, and still be a converted street bike.

The only thing swaying me is the 2015's are sold out within 500 miles of me, and they go for $10,500.

At least the newer ones the maintenance intervals are every 6000 miles.

310lbs and 68hp with a 6 speed... hard to argue with.

[Chippertheripper]

build the 690 into a rally weapon. That'll give you some comfort and wind protection for regular duties too...

Colin, where's that link for that black one I sent you?!

Edit: LIKE this one, but not exactly.
This Modified KTM 690 Rally May Be the Ultimate ADV Bike - ADV Pulse
The one I'm talking about is blacker.

[AimlessMoto]

build the 690 into a rally weapon. That'll give you some comfort and wind protection for regular duties too...

Colin, where's that link for that black one I sent you?!

There's one in VT for sale for $7500, 4000 miles on it, but it's a 2011... so it's a 649, not a true 690... and it has the short-term maintenance intervals.

I found an 09, and an 07 down in the NYC area... both for around 9k...


I like the idea of doing the Dakar fairing, large fuel tank, some radiator protection, sump protection, and a seat... but I'll probably just enjoy it stock for what I'm going to do with it.

[Chippertheripper]

I mean, it's a thumper "maintenance" should be tits.

[AimlessMoto]

That's true.

[nhbubba]

KTM 690 Enduro Black and Rally | Adventure Rider

My problem with the 690 is that it is a thumper.

[AimlessMoto]

KTM 690 Enduro Black and Rally | Adventure Rider

My problem with the 690 is that it is a thumper.

Can you elaborate? Just because it's a single point-of-failure, or power wise?

Very nice write-up on the ADV forum, thanks for sharing!

[nhbubba]

Not my writeup. Chipper man sent it to me to drool over eons ago.

My view on an ADV machine is that it does everything from mild off-road to rolling a couple hours on the super-slab and everything in between. Thumpers generally don't do so good on the interslab thing.

I require a fat saddle and at least two cylinders getting the go done.

[Chippertheripper]

That wasn't THE one I was thinking of either, but that's pretty neat too.
The biggest problem with slabbing a bike like that isn't the motor, it's the tires.
I regularly did 20-30 miles on the highway on my lc4. Sure, it wasn't a concourse, but I got where I was going.

[Chippertheripper]

This one...
Down the bottom.
GoldenTyre GT201 Adventure Bike tyres
I think it might be the same bike as above prior to stickers.

[nhbubba]

The bike is revealed... / Adventure Spec

I think that is a direct link. Looks different to me. Twin exhaust. Steering damper. Bunch of different toys.

[Chippertheripper]

The bike is revealed... / Adventure Spec

I think that is a direct link. Looks different to me. Twin exhaust. Steering damper. Bunch of different toys.

Bingo. THIS is the one.
Boioioioioioing!!!