990 Adv or SMT?

[boxerfrogs]

Have you considered a Triumph Tiger 800?

For your budget you could buy new and it'll do everything the bikes you mention will and has good performance, handling and residuals.

Thanks. Yes, have now looked it up on the internet and I can see why you recommended it. It's impressive but doesn't really grab me. Dunno why...

 

[boxerfrogs]

Have you looked at the 800GS ? I'd be looking at either that or the Tiger 800 if it must be an adv style bike.
But as has been mentioned above, the R version of the BMW Boxer is all that most of us will ever really need. All the good features of a GS, lower but without the off road pretentions. A better ride too apparently

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, have checked it out as well as the Triumph. They both tick lots of boxes but neither of them really grab me. Maybe I'm going off 'adventure' bikes because it's difficult to make a final choice! This is all rather worrying. Yes, the R boxer (e.g. R1200R) is a good alternative. Makes a lot of sense and would probably suit me/us admirably. But..., like so many of the bikes suggested, it doesn't really grab me!

 

[boxerfrogs]

However, have been a bit alarmed by reports of water pump and clutch bits (can't remember now, but I think it's those items) being knackered by deposits being left in the engine after sand(?) blasting during manufacture. Don't know how true these reports are but I definitely find it a bit off-putting.

The 'Orange crush' section on advr,Has a write up concerning these issues,which you may have read.However i would''nt let this put you off looking at a 950.There are also reports of these engines doing big mileages 70 thousand and above with no problems .[/QUOTE]

Thanks for that. Quite right, negative aspects always get far more mention than positive ones. After a lazy Sunday spent mostly on the computer looking at bikes, I've sort of come to the conclusion that the 950 Adventure could be worth going for, despite reports of a 'plank like' saddle! Have spotted a good 'un being advertised here in France - black, 17000kms (10500 miles), €6500 (£5250), with panniers. Other bikes that are on my list now include a BMW K1200R for €7000 (£5644) with 14000kms (8700 miles), a Honda CB1300 (bit top heavy but seems fun), a Honda VFR800i at €6000 (£4839) with only 9500kms (5900 miles) in anniversary livery (like the old works racers), and a BMW R1150GS for €8000 (£6500 - a bit more than I want to pay) with 21000kms (about 13000 miles). Am really tempted by the K1200R which just goes to show that a day on the computer can make you bonkers!

 

[Tricky]

950 Adv

If you can find a nice example then snap it up... You won't be disappointed.

Mine is nearly on 38k miles with only the clutch slave at 27k replaced otherwise just routine servicing.

 

[boxerfrogs]

If you can find a nice example then snap it up... You won't be disappointed.

Mine is nearly on 38k miles with only the clutch slave at 27k replaced otherwise just routine servicing.

Close call, 950 Adv came second! After days (seems more like weeks) of searching and comparing (and accumulating a whole bunch of info), I've come to the (weird) conclusion that, given my budget of £5.5k maximum (resisted the temptation to go higher), the most suitable bike for my/our needs isn't a KTM Adventure, or a Beemer, or a Triumph, or a Stelvio (this list could go on and on!), but is a the grunty Honda CB1300S - a bike that appeals to us old farts 'cos it reminds us of Rocket Ron in his prime! Also, it's apparently good for two-up touring, has massive mid-range stonk, superb Honda build quality, super-duper injection mapping, and... it sounds like fun! Hope to collect the beastie next week. Thanks to all for the valuable advice and suggestions. Much appreciated. Learnt a lot!

 

[Dazzle]

Good choice one of the few modern jap bikes that I like,
especially in white and red with half fairing would make a great tourer

 

[boxerfrogs]

Good choice one of the few modern jap bikes that I like,
especially in white and red with half fairing would make a great tourer

Yup, that's the one. Year 2005, only one owner, only 4450 kms (2765 miles) and priced at a very reasonable €6000 (£4839). Ticks all the boxes. Bit concerned that the pillion footrests seem a bit high, but reports suggest it's a good bike for pillions so perhaps my concern is unjustified. Also, it's apparently a bit top heavy, especially with a full tank. Still, no such thing as the perfect bike. I reckon this one comes pretty damned close though. Slight correction: the KTM SMT would have come second, not the 950 Adv, but all the good 'uns were a bit above my budget. Also, the silencers look like they might warm up the luckiest girl in the world's pretty little posterior a little too much.

 

[Arsey]

The 950 Adv would have been great but you've made a good choice in the 1300.

I've owned both and you won't be disappointed.

The engine is like a turbine and so comfortable.



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[boxerfrogs]

The 950 Adv would have been great but you've made a good choice in the 1300.

I've owned both and you won't be disappointed.

The engine is like a turbine and so comfortable.



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Very reassuring that you don't think I've made a terrible mistake. Really looking forward to getting my leg over the old gal - well, young gal (er, maybe I should rephrase this).

Hoping to pick the bike up on Thursday morning - sounds easy but... dogs in kennels Tuesday afternoon (50 miles away - big place France), coach to Gueret Wednesday lunchtime then train to Lyon, change trains, train to Montelimar arriving there at 9pm, spend night in hotel (not booked yet), seller picks me up Thursday morning, ride back (300 miles?), get neighbour to drive me down to the local train/bus station to collect parked car Thursday evening, hopefully), collect dogs from kennels Friday (another 100 mile round trip), recover from ordeal on Saturday - how can picking a bike up be so complicated?!