It's about bikes with the most bang for the buck and true adventure bikes capable of taking you around the world with tons of adventure accesories available.
Remember what was said about headlight shape? KLR's have the latest angular headlight shape!! Truth is KLR's get ridden. See them everywhere, and lots have more miles on them than the average dual sport. For a model that gets little respect from the "elite", they have a faithful following. Art
Many people have taken DRZ's,DR 350's and KLR's around the world. Very good choices in my opinion. What bike would you take?
Ahhh, RTW. In my dreams. Maybe someday. I would take a big street bike with touring legs. Moto Guzzi Stelvio? I understand the appeal of the KLR, but in my opinion a thumper is all wrong for riding big miles. Different strokes for different folks, but for me a dual sport is about connecting Gnarly-A to Gnarly-B without a truck. If I am riding more than 50% dirt, I want a street bike like a GS. I had an ex-police KZ1000 in my mid twenties, and I rode that thing everywhere. Through creek beds, double track, forest service roads. I got it stuck, dumped it over countless times. It had amazing crash bars all over it and took a beating. That thing would have gone around the world and I am convinced it could have done a TAT or WABDR type of ride as well. Of course, when you're 26 you can do anything.
They'd sell more if they updated the damn things. If I wanted a DRZ today, I'd shop for a near zero mile used bike from as far back as 14 years ago. Why buy a new one, it's the same goofy, just capable enough to be ridden hard bike it always was. Give me a reason I'd want a 2015??? New decals??? Yes, I owned and raced one cause I didn't like the YZf power delivery. It was OK with suspension mods in DRZ "Y" form. I coulda/shoulda been much better even then. Today? Gimme a break. Just change the damn ergos to modern spec and you'll win over riders. The seat/tank/bars/peg relation sucked back in 2000. Suzuki can do much better, but their public relations rep at Daytona didn't know what a KTM EXC350/500 even was. She had no idea about gear ratios or anything remotely mechanical. They don't care and the DR/DRZ is hard proof of that. My $ goes to the company who updates their bikes even while they are running down the assembly line!
You just dont see a ton of ex- cop bikes out on the TAT these days. A lotta guys ride something simple like a KLR or DR RTW because things break after months on the road no matter what your riding,and fixing a computerized Starbucks poser bike in the middle of BFE requires an airdrop of a mechanic/diagnostic tools/1000's in parts. DR's are used as cop bikes in some countries,parts may be found,but overall about the simplest semi modern bike that is commonly used for RTW trips. And easy enough to ride,even loaded,in gravel/dirt/what ever.
Suzuki was close to going under during the last recession,designing a niche off road/dualsport bike probably isnt on their to-do list. Im sure there is an expense in designing new graphics year after year,and paint colors as well need thought.
Maybe they should reexamine their business model and look across the aisle at KTM who was growing and can't keep a street legal EXC on the floor for more than a few days? Everything I just said about outdated bikes being rolled out as 2015s is a weak attempt to stay afloat. Build the DRZ500 with a EXC 6 speed and modern ergos and riders will look at them at least. Lead, follow or get outta the way. Suzuki SHOULD fail. They gave up in this segment 15 years ago, even longer regarding the 650 and 200. If Ford was still churning out the 1999 Mustang in different colors, I doubt they'd have been selling as many. Hell, they could barely sell the 2003s at that point. I got a screaming deal on a 03 cause buyers were waiting for the new 2005 update!
So if Suzuki makes a $10,000, 245 pound 55 hp, 6-speed, dual sport you would consider switching from your KTM? Why for gads sake, would you abandon KTM? Art
You mean my upcoming RTW.The almighty Yamaha XT 225,but that's another thread. You see,I plan on being a server when I travel far.If I was going as a conquerer Than I would seriously consider a KTM or BMW. Look for it in an upcoming ride report. More than a Conquerer will be the title.
You got some strange mental gymnastics going on there buddy or maybe the hamsters just left the building period ? but no matter good luck with ya trip inroads Honda ct110 is generally accepted as the most appropriate servers bike but hey, I suppose some servers want better specs
Years back, 1970-80's, a regular feature in "Dirt Bike or Dirt Rider" the US magazine were articles by "the bear" and Australian, riding a Honda XL250 round the world. Great articles and writer, very ordinary Honda, geared to take rider and gear through the rough and slowly even when roads were good. So, yes, the DR-Z400S is an excellent choice for RTW. Art
But then some guys decide to ride to the tune of a different drummer. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yjBrpN9nmZQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
If someone builds a better bike I'll consider it. If KTM was still building the same bike they had in 2000 with no changes, well it was still head and shoulders better than the DRZ so I guess I'd ride that! I had a 2002 520EXC after the DRZ. Massive leap in every category of performance, raced/loaned/DSed that thing for 6 years, countless miles and it needed a WP seal at the end. Thankfully, I can keep me orange T shirt collection as none of the big bike companies are even showing signs of life in enduro/DS. The better question for this topic is "why would anyone buy a new $8,000 DRZ?".