serow, xr650, xt600, v-strom, f650gs or ktm what to choose as a newbie

Dennis van Dijk · 03-05-2006, 06:01 PM

Hi ya,

Newbie with a bit of a choice to make. I am moving to the UK and will be looking for a bike overthere to do some green laning and some off roading. It will be my first go doing this stuff. I have a weekend training booked with BMW in Wales.

I want to buy a 11XXgs for my normal use, doing the cruising through Europe and all that. With the occasional gravel road thrown in. I am just thinking either ot get bike on the side and if so what should I be looking at, 400 or 250. Which models. I want to do the mainentance myself, which bikes are easy to work on...

Or should I throw out the whole 11xxgs idea and get one bike to do it all, like a F650gs dakar or KTM Lc4 Advenure.

Your opinion please.

RED CAT · 03-05-2006, 06:07 PM

Best bet for a newbie dualsporter in Europe would most likely be a DR650 Suzie or a KLR. Low and comfortable and good all round. The XR650L and KTMs are too single purpose. Beamer 650 is ok but too expensive for what you get IMHO.

jackpiner57 · 03-05-2006, 07:09 PM

The answer is obvious! DL650 V-Strom

Night_Wolf · 03-05-2006, 11:13 PM

Suzuki offers a 650 single in Europe that looks very similar to the F650gs with similar HP numbers. Might be worth a look

AKTroy · 03-05-2006, 11:27 PM

Best choice for the money I agree is the Strom.

Im a heavy packer and have been at this for 20 yrs so I leaned on the big side of the brothers. A buddy has the 650 and we have a blast swaping on our rides.

You RARELY hear of ANY trouble with them and maint is alot cheaper if you deal with the dealerships. Just my two cents. Good luck and watch out for the other guy!

03-05-2006, 06:01 PM	#1
Dennis van Dijk ^OP lurker gone legal Joined: Mar 2006 Location: maidenhead, UK Oddometer: 31	serow, xr650, xt600, v-strom, f650gs or ktm what to choose as a newbie Hi ya, Newbie with a bit of a choice to make. I am moving to the UK and will be looking for a bike overthere to do some green laning and some off roading. It will be my first go doing this stuff. I have a weekend training booked with BMW in Wales. I want to buy a 11XXgs for my normal use, doing the cruising through Europe and all that. With the occasional gravel road thrown in. I am just thinking either ot get bike on the side and if so what should I be looking at, 400 or 250. Which models. I want to do the mainentance myself, which bikes are easy to work on... Or should I throw out the whole 11xxgs idea and get one bike to do it all, like a F650gs dakar or KTM Lc4 Advenure. Your opinion please.

03-05-2006, 06:07 PM	#2
RED CAT Bumpy Backroader Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Western Canada Oddometer: 2,413	Choices! Best bet for a newbie dualsporter in Europe would most likely be a DR650 Suzie or a KLR. Low and comfortable and good all round. The XR650L and KTMs are too single purpose. Beamer 650 is ok but too expensive for what you get IMHO.

03-05-2006, 07:09 PM	#3
jackpiner57 Meanderthal Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Northeastern Vermont Oddometer: 1,391	The answer is obvious! DL650 V-Strom __________________ Tom - '07 DR-Z400S, '05 DL650 Dual Sport Luggage Racks: DRZ400, DR650, KLR650: http://www.moto-racks.com "I sort of realize there's a fundamental truth to our nature. Man must explore." -CMDR. David R. Scott

03-05-2006, 11:13 PM	#4
Night_Wolf Leg Humper Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Lat: N 90°00'00" Long: N/A Oddometer: 8,025	Suzuki offers a 650 single in Europe that looks very similar to the F650gs with similar HP numbers. Might be worth a look __________________ *Night_Wolf's Lair* *& AAR* *L 51.01.900 /* *L W 114.05.900* *Wee Strom Index* "That road less traveled is a toll road, and sometimes the charge is more expensive than we ever expected. Most of the time, it's a one way road. Make the decision, hope for the best, and start traveling. Carry lots of coins." PecosBill Pick good friends and you'll never be lacking Family Me

03-05-2006, 11:27 PM	#5
AKTroy BE AWARE OF TRAINS Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Oddometer: 2,096	Best choice for the money I agree is the Strom. Im a heavy packer and have been at this for 20 yrs so I leaned on the big side of the brothers. A buddy has the 650 and we have a blast swaping on our rides. You RARELY hear of ANY trouble with them and maint is alot cheaper if you deal with the dealerships. Just my two cents. Good luck and watch out for the other guy! __________________ Team Pterodactyl, Hooligan Division. R.I.P Harry Mythical Riders, boy are they movin'. Thru dust, rocks & mud..............they're FUKENGRUVEN! As I look back through the decades, theres a thought that prevails. We are born without a road map and a choice of many trails...........

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