Streetmoto Choices

[poldark]

Right 1st off let me just say I'm no off-roader and I'm not intending to become a wheelie-fiend or stunt rider - even if I had the capability, which I don't!

But I am looking for a plaything 2nd bike (well 3rd actually but please don't tell SWMBO), for short(ish) runs on local roads.

Both my current bikes (TDM9 & Burgman 650) were bought to have 2-up capability, but this one needs to be light nimble and fun for solo use, 'cos I want something different. Budget £2500 and I'd rather avoid exotic stuff with high service costs, overly short service intervals and high insurance.

Shortlist so far is:

Suz DRZ400SM (test riding one this Sat - snow allowing)
KTM Duke II 640 (surprised it's in my budget but found a few sub £3k and still low miles)
Yam XT660X

Initially I was decided (subject to test ride) on the DRZ but part of me wonders about getting something with greater range and potential (please don't hit me) of replacing the TDM [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img] , given I've rarely used it 2-up and actually the Burgman is more suited to the shorter distance 2-up use I'm now ever likely to need.

Hence the Yam XT660 now on the list, but I'm worried that being a larger/heavier bike it'll reduce the fun factor that the DRZ would provide. I seem to have a poorly hidden desire to have a KTM, which being a cheapskate hasn't surfaced before, but Duke 2 does look like it could offer the right balance at the price.

Anyway I know I need to ride them myself and decide, but as I'm stuck looking at snow pretending to work, I thought I'd ask you all for opinions and ideas.

Cheers [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/drinks.gif[/img]

[Guest]

Can't help much on that choice, but I will say my TDM mechanic (i.e., guy who does stuff I don't) rides a DRZ and absolutely loves it. Cheap too I think, compared to the KTM.

[jollygiant]

KTM Super Duke 990 [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/badgrock.gif[/img]

End of any discussion about street moto's [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/good.gif[/img]

[dapleb]

<!--quoteo(post=146916:date=Wed 13th Jan 2010, 05:00 PM:name=Jolly Giant)-->QUOTE(Jolly Giant @ Wed 13th Jan 2010, 05:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->End of any discussion<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Its not on the list, so I doubt it. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif[/img]

I rode a KTM Duke ages (years and years) ago..and didnt loike it. Dunno what the Duke II is or how it compares.

DRZ....only ridden one for about a mile on ice on a steep hill so no idea.

XT660 ...... sounds loike it has a bigger enjun than the DRZ so if you are going to be pootling on roads mostly it might be the badger.

Looks loike oim about as much use as JG. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]

Have fun whatever you get.

[Studley Ramrod]

If you could go to 3k you could get a Versys. Lightish weight, twin cylinder, 60geegees, comfy as fook, good for town and touring. 128mph top speed.

You might find the KTM too vibey for touring and the DRZ prolly aint got the comfort, although they look like a lotta fun with moto wheels fitted.

I dont' think the XT660X is as heavy as the tenere model.

[Onanist]

T'other half has an XT660X and loves it, and she has owned a fair array of bikes in the past from 1000cc 4's to CCM's

I'll try and get her along to post her views.

[poldark]

<!--quoteo(post=146927:date=Wed 13th Jan 2010, 06:40 PM:name=Onanist)-->QUOTE(Onanist @ Wed 13th Jan 2010, 06:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'll try and get her along to post her views.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thanks.

I'll know better after the DRZ test ride but I reckon I'll be thinking about the XT660 only if I convince myself that I need a more all-round bike, because I'm planning ahead to when I may sell the TDM.

I'm fantastic at buying bikes that are good bikes but not suited to what I then use them for.

[peterkelly]

Ducati Multistradas now coming on market a bit cheaper and will no doubt be cheaper again next year as 1200 comes on stream.

I even think they look great, however, could never replace reliability and economy of TDM

... on the other hand as a weekend rideout I am seriously tempted myself as reliability and service costs less an issue

best of luck with whatever you choose!

Pete

[Guest]

I have an MZ Mastiff. It's a Yam 660 engine in an MZ frame with plenty of quality bits. Spares are no problem and you'll get one cheap. I love mine to bits.

[Guest]

You'll need an iron arse and very long legs for the DRZ. If you can live with that you'll have a lot of fun with it. I only sold mine as it was alot of money sitting in the garden getting very little use. Excellent bike off road and loads of fun on even on knobblies.

[jiff]

I'm fantasizing in the same direction myself.........
but my scenario may differ slightly in that

'something wizzy & nimble in a (semi)urban environment'

is probably what I'd be looking for......and since you appear to also live in The Smoke - might suit you too..........

so the object of my hopefull adoration is either an MT03 or an Aprilia Strada / Pegaso 650...........
both have the same motor as the XT660 but appear less insurmountable for one as vertically challenged as I am,
& are probably more comfotabe too
No good for v.long journeys, but I then wouldn't be parted from my TDM anywayup
The MT03 might not fall within your price range - but for me it's an absolute beut

good luck with your dreams..........Jiff

[poldark]

<!--quoteo(post=146971:date=Thu 14th Jan 2010, 10:14 AM:name=jiff)-->QUOTE(jiff @ Thu 14th Jan 2010, 10:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'm fantasizing in the same direction myself.........
but my scenario may differ slightly in that

'something wizzy & nimble in a (semi)urban environment'

is probably what I'd be looking for......and since you appear to also live in The Smoke - might suit you too..........

so the object of my hopefull adoration is either an MT03 or an Aprilia Strada / Pegaso 650...........
both have the same motor as the XT660 but appear less insurmountable for one as vertically challenged as I am,
& are probably more comfotabe too
No good for v.long journeys, but I then wouldn't be parted from my TDM anywayup
The MT03 might not fall within your price range - but for me it's an absolute beut

good luck with your dreams..........Jiff<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Jiff,

What worries me about the XT660, or those based on it (Strada/MZ), is the overall bulk and weight.

As I have a large scoot (Burgman 650) for commute, which is also very capable as an all rounder with even 2-up (short range) capability, it is really only a weekend plaything I'm after.

The DRZ is reported by many people a scream to ride, so provided I don't find it too underpowered this is top of the list. Whereas I'm seeing the XT as a small TDM, possibly a down-sizing replacement, provided you don't need 2-up use(which I now don't).

I guess I have to try the XT as well, in case I'm doing it a dis-service and it is still light and nimble, just with better grunt than the DRZ - just call me confused!

[TonyDevil]

<!--quoteo(post=146950:date=Wed 13th Jan 2010, 10:34 PM:name=Matt_G)-->QUOTE(Matt_G @ Wed 13th Jan 2010, 10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I have an MZ Mastiff. It's a Yam 660 engine in an MZ frame with plenty of quality bits. Spares are no problem and you'll get one cheap. I love mine to bits.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
i been keeping an eye out for one of them for a while
feck all turn up and when they do they have normally be thrashed and/or trashed

i'm also on the look out for a cheap 250-400 for offroad work, DRZs seem to hold their value which is normally a good indicator of how good they are

This post was last modified: 14-01-2010, 12:31 PM by TonyDevil.

[poldark]

<!--quoteo(post=146980:date=Thu 14th Jan 2010, 12:30 PM:name=TonyDevil)-->QUOTE(TonyDevil @ Thu 14th Jan 2010, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->i been keeping an eye out for one of them for a while
feck all turn up and when they do they have normally be thrashed and/or trashed

i'm also on the look out for a cheap 250-400 for offroad work, DRZs seem to hold their value which is normally a good indicator of how good they are<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Not sure how cheap it needs to be, but saw this DRZ400S that might interest you?

DRZ400S

[TonyDevil]

<!--quoteo(post=146981:date=Thu 14th Jan 2010, 12:48 PM:name=poldark)-->QUOTE(poldark @ Thu 14th Jan 2010, 12:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Not sure how cheap it needs to be, but saw this DRZ400S that might interest you?

DRZ400S<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
about half that price [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img] ifs for me to thrash down green lanes and for the GF to use when theres snow&ice on the roads
so i dont want a great deal of £ stored up in a bike that is likely to get trashed atleast once a year

[Quartermaster]

<!--quoteo(post=146950:date=Thu 14th Jan 2010, 12:34 AM:name=Matt_G)-->QUOTE(Matt_G @ Thu 14th Jan 2010, 12:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I have an MZ Mastiff. It's a Yam 660 engine in an MZ frame with plenty of quality bits. Spares are no problem and you'll get one cheap. I love mine to bits.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Ah, so that was you riding through Bromsgrove the other Saturday. Bike looks great but you don't see many coming up for sale.

[dapleb]

<!--quoteo(post=146980:date=Thu 14th Jan 2010, 12:30 PM:name=TonyDevil)-->QUOTE(TonyDevil @ Thu 14th Jan 2010, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->i been keeping an eye out for one of them for a while
feck all turn up<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Demand has reduced condsiderably recently! You moight 'ave a chance now.


Wonder if Poldark is still on his test ride.

[poldark]

<!--quoteo(post=146984:date=Thu 14th Jan 2010, 01:54 PM:name=dapleb)-->QUOTE(dapleb @ Thu 14th Jan 2010, 01:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Demand has reduced condsiderably recently! You moight 'ave a chance now.
Wonder if Poldark is still on his test ride.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Test ride is Sat PM, will let you know how it goes.

[mcbodge]

I like the idea of a KTM Duke 690, but they're<b> very </b>expensive and out of my reach for the next decade, so I'd have a look at a Duke II, even if the lights/fairing do look a bit funny.

This post was last modified: 14-01-2010, 03:47 PM by mcbodge.

[SelinaXT]

<!--quoteo(post=146927:date=Wed 13th Jan 2010, 06:40 PM:name=Onanist)-->QUOTE(Onanist @ Wed 13th Jan 2010, 06:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->T'other half has an XT660X and loves it, and she has owned a fair array of bikes in the past from 1000cc 4's to CCM's

I'll try and get her along to post her views.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That'll be me then [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif[/img]

The DRZ is on my shortlist for a winter and off road bike, along with a WR, but I'd not consider either a replacement for the XTX as comfort levels will be as poor as they were on my CCM R30 after not too long in the saddle. The KTM is of course very pretty and I would love to have one, as long as someone else was responsible for the bills and reliability....

So I'm biased, but I love my XTX to bits, bought mine without having even seen one in the flesh. Perfect for back lanes (my preferred road type), happy on gentle green lanes, quick enough for fast A and B roads, and even tolerable on the motor-way for a couple of hours at moderate speeds. I've even sold my FZR1000 'fighter that I'd had for 12 years as there was no way I was going to bother putting her back on the road once I had the XTX which fulfills all my needs.

It's a little tall at first, but that shouldn't be an issue for a TDM rider, not seen the figures of how much heavier it is than the others on your shopping list but it certainly feels light enough to me. I've not taken a pillion on it, and can't imagine you would want to do a long run two-up, but at least it would be a practical proposition compared to the DRZ. XTR and XTZ riders have completed european tours two-up, but I've not had either of these variants.

I can't imagine anyone wanting this genre of bike being disappointed for a second with the XTX, Onanist can confirm it certainly gives his 9'er a run for its money when we're out and about..... so if the day came you were to part company with the TDM the XTX could step into its shoes in most respects bar perhaps really long distance tours where you are cramming 500+ miles a day. I've no qualms doing 300+ per day on mine and not suffering for it.

Best of luck with whatever you get, if you want more info on the XT range check the forum at www.xt660.com.

SelinaXT