Which should I contemplate buying???

[JohnnyBoxer]

Thinking about another smaller bike to compliment the GS1150.
Leaning towards ............


Funduro
First of the 650's and had a couple of brief rides over the years.
I'd buy one in as good a condition for money, naturally and turn it into a dirt special
Anything to watch out for?

Pro's
Relatively plentiful and good supply of used parts

Cons
Rot
Buzzy motors

650GS/Dakar
These are more refined.........but more complicated and more expensive to buy.Would make a good dirt special

Pro's
Better 650 motor and more modern styling etc
Expensive

Monolever 80GS
Really fancy one of these from 81- 86, with the large Dakar white tank/red seat & rack. Not interested in a Paralever Airhead, I don't think.........but you never know.
Are they good to ride..........any probs?
The simplicity of the first 80 Monolever GS appeals most to me
Don't know much about Airheads, so will follow the advice of the Airhead techies (where's Paragon when you need him now)


OR ........
should I buy something like the MZ trailie with the Yamaha XTZ600 motor in it.............How's JimB getting on with his?
They're supposed to be good value for money and fitted with quality components

I don't want a full-bore Enduro.........been there & done that, just fancy a Dualsport with OK road manners and oomph, but with a bit of Greenlaning ability

The idea of building a special also appeals...........but you know you have to have deep pockets and can never recover your financial input in a special.

I know where there's a 650 Dakar Touratech Spec Rally Bike which is tasty for about £4500-£5000..........but are they worth it?

Learned brothers on the Forum...................your views are required !!!!!!!!

 

[laughingBob]

DRZ400. Great on road and great for green lanes. Lightweight compared to the F650 and feels it. Tough as old boots and enough power for the road whilst not being too much to handle on the muck.

 

[Fanum]

If it's to complement, I reckon you'll need something smaller.......not a 650 sized thing ('cos they are lighter sure, but they won't do significantly more than a well sorted 11xx will......)

You want a drz400 you do Johnny.....

And I might just happen to know of a nice one for sale for around £2500

EDIT.......damn, got beaten to it

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

DRZ400

Had XR250/400's and don't want something too dirt focused, which the DRZ is (even the roadie S model)............

Fancy something more in the 650 bracket, which is more usable on the road, but would be able to lead/do a few Wombat hunts in Yorkshire for our GS brethren.

 

[BawdyMonk]

If I was being sensible I'd look at either a Dakar or an XT, but if I was spoiling myself.....a KTM

However, I've screwed myself on the 2nd bike issue, my Mrs is convinced the GSA is the perfect do-anything bike

 

[Timolgra]

The new Yam TTR600 has an electric boot

Tim

 

[Jimb]

MZ 660E

Johnny, It does everything I want, its heavier than a DRZ or XR400, 165 Kg but it has a 12 ltr tank, good for 150 miles, about 65 to the gallon.The front suspension is marvelous, 280mm of travel 45mm dia forks, the rear is superb, White Power, it comes road legal with F650 bars, mirrors and indicators rear brake lights etc, mine came with some german made Heidenau knobblies on with which I had trepidation but after taking it out in the wet they are fine I have confidence in 'em. The brakes are really quite keen once bedded in, it and me together only weigh the same as the GS and I'm 100 kg of it.

The motor is the Yamaha 660, 5 valve twin carb XT motor, electric start, sweet 5 speed gearbox, NO CATS, but the sprockets are geared for off road use so on road you have a max speed of 80, which is fast enough, its better built then my GS all the bolts are stainless and the exhaust is stainless, £3900 on the road.
I have to be carefull with the steering as with a 21 inch front it turns much quicker than the GS but you'll be used to that. Its also much taller than a GS, 930mm I think but slim.

Their is also a supermoto version the Baghira 660 that has most of the same stuff on it but has supermoto road tires and wheels and is geared fo road use with the sprockets, about the same price.

I don't use the GS in winter now the MZ is much hardier, easy to clean and at the price is almost dissposable.
If you want to try it your very welcome, come to Rainbow when I'm there doing earplugs and you can take it for a run.

 

[judge]

You want a drz400 you do Johnny.....

And I might just happen to know of a nice one for sale for around £2500

Come on MikeyO and Mr Wat bollok him for posting in the wrong forum, don't let the opportunity pass

 

[MikeO]

Come on MikeyO and Mr Wat bollok him for posting in the wrong forum, don't let the opportunity pass

Thought about doing it Andy, then looked at the price and decided that Jim McSharry might want to move it to the Jokes Corner instead...

Mike

 

[Deadskin]

Monolever 80GS Really fancy one of these from 81- 86

JB
If you can find one buy it
The the large Dakar white tank/red seat and rack
are still available from bmw..
..

 

[skybluebird]

How about a KTM 640 Adventure R? I had one for a year, handled great on-road and way better than I am, off road (it's won the Ryedale Rally, for example). Mine was completely reliable, and they're not too common (unlike the regular orange trail bikes). It got a bit uncomfortable after ~150 miles or so, but otherwise hard to fault.

 

[judge]

Not interested in a Paralever Airhead, I don't think.........but you never know.
Are they good to ride..........any probs?

You expect the collective wisdom to guide you after that little side-swipe? well I shan't tell you so nerr.

So wadda you know about them that puts them off the list huh?

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

JB
If you can find one buy it
The the large Dakar white tank/red seat and rack
are still available from bmw..
..

That's the one................bloody georgeous!!!!!!!

Much more handsome than all your Paralever Airhead GS's, Judgie (but that's probably end up getting)

However - Legger and me are off to see a F650GS at the w/end -W plate 2000, with only 3,700 miles on it and one owner from new.........private sale £2750......good buy or what.
If he doesn't want it for his missus, then I'll have it

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Re: MZ 660E

Johnny, It does everything I want, its heavier than a DRZ or XR400, 165 Kg but it has a 12 ltr tank, good for 150 miles, about 65 to the gallon.The front suspension is marvelous, 280mm of travel 45mm dia forks, the rear is superb, White Power, it comes road legal with F650 bars, mirrors and indicators rear brake lights etc, mine came with some german made Heidenau knobblies on with which I had trepidation but after taking it out in the wet they are fine I have confidence in 'em. The brakes are really quite keen once bedded in, it and me together only weigh the same as the GS and I'm 100 kg of it.

The motor is the Yamaha 660, 5 valve twin carb XT motor, electric start, sweet 5 speed gearbox, NO CATS, but the sprockets are geared for off road use so on road you have a max speed of 80, which is fast enough, its better built then my GS all the bolts are stainless and the exhaust is stainless, £3900 on the road.
I have to be carefull with the steering as with a 21 inch front it turns much quicker than the GS but you'll be used to that. Its also much taller than a GS, 930mm I think but slim.

Their is also a supermoto version the Baghira 660 that has most of the same stuff on it but has supermoto road tires and wheels and is geared fo road use with the sprockets, about the same price.

I don't use the GS in winter now the MZ is much hardier, easy to clean and at the price is almost dissposable.
If you want to try it your very welcome, come to Rainbow when I'm there doing earplugs and you can take it for a run.

Jim............you're a gent, I was hoping you'd let me get my legover your MZ 660.
I'll PM you after Xmas.
I already know Dave Audin @ Pleasley M/c's, so I'm sure he would give me all the gen...........
Good report

 

[bushboy]

Honda maybe

Johnny,

I got a good XR 650 (2002)for sale, ( with a grand of extras ) just a thought. Easy to ride and you can go nuts on it if you so wish. Just twist the wrist.

My GS 650 was a brill bike and if I had my time over I wouldnt have been rid of it. ( but it wouldnt fit in my case for tip back to OZ ) Still by now it would have looked just like the Dakar spec bikes as that was the way i was heading.

Good two up ( not that you would need too ) and great off road. You saw me on it, and i was right next to you on your then XR 250.

Go on you know you want one. Dont go one of the new ones but they look pants me thinks.

Case

 

[bushboy]

TT 600

"The new Yam TTR600 has an electric boot

Tim"

Tim, still dosent mean it will start. Remember the fun we had at yours on that bloody beach.

Case