Opinions on bikes needed

Mike Qube · 12-13-2010, 06:26 AM

I'm looking the get a second bike to do more longer distance touring type stuff. I love my Ducati, but I don't think it would be the best to take off for a few weeks on. I dont have a huge budget for a second bike. I'm looking to get something used in th range of $5000-$7000. So far from what I can find it looks like I can afford either a VStrom 650, a Versys or a GS650.
I'm looking for something that would be comfortable for long distances and also be able to do light off-road riding. The VStrom and Versys seem to fit the bill for the long distance stuff form what I can find, how are they off road? How is the 650GS for long distances?

Truckin_Thumper · 12-13-2010, 07:02 AM

I guy in NorCal has a Caponord for sale.......don't know where you are at.

Either of the three would do what you want. all are about the same.

Mike Qube · 12-13-2010, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truckin_Thumper

I guy in NorCal has a Caponord for sale.......don't know where you are at.

Either of the three would do what you want. all are about the same.

I'm right outside of Boston. NorCal would have to wait until the spring.

Truckin_Thumper · 12-13-2010, 07:38 AM

Bean TOWN!

I have a lot of family up that way.

I could go get the Capo and ride it to Texas for ya, weather is nicer here

I came off of plated dirt bikes to a Caponord. LOVE IT.

I have rode the bikes you mentioned and they are all about the same. The Vs. being a bit more sporty and all of them including the Capo are Fire Service road doable (at best).

The Wee probably has more aftermarket support than the rest.

mrbreeze · 12-13-2010, 08:43 AM

if you go used, you could probably find a nicely equipped DL-1000 in that price range.

as for the three you mentioned, I think they are all nice bikes, but I would rank them in this order

dl650
Versys
gs650

simply because I think the dl650 would be the best at going long distance

Animo · 12-13-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Qube

So far from what I can find it looks like I can afford either a VStrom 650, a Versys or a GS650.
I'm looking for something that would be comfortable for long distances and also be able to do light off-road riding. How is the 650GS for long distances?

For a long comfortable ride I would stay away from the F650gsT…….

You will find plenty of info here:

http://advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=77

mike1952 · 12-13-2010, 09:03 AM

That will get you a new Vstrom in Michigan.

Gizmo · 12-13-2010, 09:11 AM

Certainly a Vee Strom would be a good choice in your price range. Also might look for an older Kawasaki Concours, Honda ST 1100 and BMW RT 1050.

blk-betty · 12-13-2010, 09:54 AM

07-08 Triumph Tiger 1050 can be bought for $5000-7000.

Great road bike that does fine off-pavement on gravel or forest service roads.

R3B · 12-13-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Qube

I'm looking for something that would be comfortable for long distances and also be able to do light off-road riding. The VStrom and Versys seem to fit the bill for the long distance stuff form what I can find, how are they off road? How is the 650GS for long distances?

*Which* GS, the China manufactured Loncin G650GS, or the Streetversion of the F800GS?

0ldhippie · 12-13-2010, 10:26 AM

Ya should be able to find a real nice Duck St2-4, Honda ST, Yamaha FJR, or maybe a 14Concourse for that kind of money. Buddy Just got a super nice '06 abs fjr with 6k miles for 7k and I just saw a nice st2 for 3.5k! Really about anything but newer big bmws/harleys can be found in that range.

Opps! missed the light off road part. Guess it depends how light, But Tigers, f800s, 1000 v storms, Caponords and maybe a Multistrada should be out there.

SpaceManSpiff · 12-13-2010, 10:28 AM

Depends on how you define "off-road". I had a Wee for 53k miles and did quite a bit of touring and dirt-road riding with it. It does relatively well as long as it is a road. trails, single-track not so much.

The wee makes for a dead reliable on-up ADV tourer. Massive aftermarket support too (allows you to farkle to suit your needs). You can find fully farkeled newer ones in that price range all day long. the 19" front / 17" rear combo allows for a wide variety of rubber. And the bigger front deals with ruts/rocks etc better than the 17" front on the Versys.

I have no experience with the Versys, but it certainly looks like a very functional motorcycle. The street-oriented tires limit how comfortable I would be in "off-road" situations.

I test rode a BMW F650GS (the 800cc twin) and did not come away impressed. I was hoping for a more street-oriented F800GS but I felt that it was more of a beginner bike with a friendly engine and mild brakes. The engine was completely linear --> really boring delivery. Faster than the Wee? Surely. But man what a snoozer. YMMV. Handled well though.

hey...he's looking for something that can do mild off-road stuff and tour on. I wouldn't want to do a lot of dirt miles on a big sport-touring rig ala ST1100, FJR, ST4.........

Mike Qube · 12-14-2010, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpaceManSpiff

Depends on how you define "off-road". I had a Wee for 53k miles and did quite a bit of touring and dirt-road riding with it. It does relatively well as long as it is a road. trails, single-track not so much.

The wee makes for a dead reliable on-up ADV tourer. Massive aftermarket support too (allows you to farkle to suit your needs). You can find fully farkeled newer ones in that price range all day long. the 19" front / 17" rear combo allows for a wide variety of rubber. And the bigger front deals with ruts/rocks etc better than the 17" front on the Versys.

I have no experience with the Versys, but it certainly looks like a very functional motorcycle. The street-oriented tires limit how comfortable I would be in "off-road" situations.

I test rode a BMW F650GS (the 800cc twin) and did not come away impressed. I was hoping for a more street-oriented F800GS but I felt that it was more of a beginner bike with a friendly engine and mild brakes. The engine was completely linear --> really boring delivery. Faster than the Wee? Surely. But man what a snoozer. YMMV. Handled well though.

hey...he's looking for something that can do mild off-road stuff and tour on. I wouldn't want to do a lot of dirt miles on a big sport-touring rig ala ST1100, FJR, ST4.........

I think I'm leaning towards the wee. It seems that it'll do everything that I'm looking for. For off-road stuff, I'm mainly looking at dirt roads and packed trails, no single track riding.

PeterW · 12-15-2010, 01:55 AM

I'd cross off the Versys - it's too road orientated, not that it's a bad bike, but it's too close to what you have.

Of the others, the GS is better for short dirt rides close to home, the Wee wins hands down doing long hauls with a dirt road content. The longer the distance the more the advantage swings to the Wee.

That said, if you want the Wee to work *well* on dirt it will need some suspension work. (With good suspension they are surprisingly good).
It'll never be an MX bike or good on single track but it'll do decent speeds on dirt roads day after day without issues.

Pete

12-13-2010, 06:26 AM	#1
Mike Qube ^OP n00b Joined: Aug 2009 Oddometer: 8	Opinions on bikes needed I'm looking the get a second bike to do more longer distance touring type stuff. I love my Ducati, but I don't think it would be the best to take off for a few weeks on. I dont have a huge budget for a second bike. I'm looking to get something used in th range of $5000-$7000. So far from what I can find it looks like I can afford either a VStrom 650, a Versys or a GS650. I'm looking for something that would be comfortable for long distances and also be able to do light off-road riding. The VStrom and Versys seem to fit the bill for the long distance stuff form what I can find, how are they off road? How is the 650GS for long distances?

12-13-2010, 07:02 AM	#2
Truckin_Thumper low profile Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Houston,TX Oddometer: 26,099	I guy in NorCal has a Caponord for sale.......don't know where you are at. Either of the three would do what you want. all are about the same. __________________ MC MC MC MC P/U MC MC Semi MC MC MC Car MC MC

12-13-2010, 07:38 AM	#4
Truckin_Thumper low profile Joined: Jun 2007 Location: Houston,TX Oddometer: 26,099	Bean TOWN! I have a lot of family up that way. I could go get the Capo and ride it to Texas for ya, weather is nicer here I came off of plated dirt bikes to a Caponord. LOVE IT. I have rode the bikes you mentioned and they are all about the same. The Vs. being a bit more sporty and all of them including the Capo are Fire Service road doable (at best). The Wee probably has more aftermarket support than the rest. __________________ MC MC MC MC P/U MC MC Semi MC MC MC Car MC MC

12-13-2010, 08:43 AM	#5
mrbreeze Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2007 Location: God's Country Oddometer: 4,981	if you go used, you could probably find a nicely equipped DL-1000 in that price range. as for the three you mentioned, I think they are all nice bikes, but I would rank them in this order dl650 Versys gs650 simply because I think the dl650 would be the best at going long distance __________________ it's up to us to choose to have a good day. No matter what happens, it's really up to us whether we decide it is a good day or not. Make it a good day. - from EvanADV http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...8&postcount=55

12-13-2010, 09:11 AM	#8
Gizmo Hermes Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Oddometer: 1,668	Certainly a Vee Strom would be a good choice in your price range. Also might look for an older Kawasaki Concours, Honda ST 1100 and BMW RT 1050. __________________ Regards & Ride Safe! Bruce 4-Wheels moves the body, 2-wheels moves the soul 09' BMW K1200 LT IBA # 8547

12-13-2010, 09:03 AM	#7
mike1952 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2008 Location: north of ann arbor michigan Oddometer: 1,112	That will get you a new Vstrom in Michigan.

12-13-2010, 09:54 AM	#9
blk-betty bam-a-lam Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Oddometer: 1,838	07-08 Triumph Tiger 1050 can be bought for $5000-7000. Great road bike that does fine off-pavement on gravel or forest service roads.

12-13-2010, 10:26 AM	#11
0ldhippie Studly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Sacramento Oddometer: 565	Ya should be able to find a real nice Duck St2-4, Honda ST, Yamaha FJR, or maybe a 14Concourse for that kind of money. Buddy Just got a super nice '06 abs fjr with 6k miles for 7k and I just saw a nice st2 for 3.5k! Really about anything but newer big bmws/harleys can be found in that range. Opps! missed the light off road part. Guess it depends how light, But Tigers, f800s, 1000 v storms, Caponords and maybe a Multistrada should be out there. 0ldhippie screwed with this post 12-13-2010 at 10:41 AM

12-13-2010, 10:28 AM	#12
SpaceManSpiff Man of Mystery Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson, Arizona Oddometer: 984	Depends on how you define "off-road". I had a Wee for 53k miles and did quite a bit of touring and dirt-road riding with it. It does relatively well as long as it is a road. trails, single-track not so much. The wee makes for a dead reliable on-up ADV tourer. Massive aftermarket support too (allows you to farkle to suit your needs). You can find fully farkeled newer ones in that price range all day long. the 19" front / 17" rear combo allows for a wide variety of rubber. And the bigger front deals with ruts/rocks etc better than the 17" front on the Versys. I have no experience with the Versys, but it certainly looks like a very functional motorcycle. The street-oriented tires limit how comfortable I would be in "off-road" situations. I test rode a BMW F650GS (the 800cc twin) and did not come away impressed. I was hoping for a more street-oriented F800GS but I felt that it was more of a beginner bike with a friendly engine and mild brakes. The engine was completely linear --> really boring delivery. Faster than the Wee? Surely. But man what a snoozer. YMMV. Handled well though. hey...he's looking for something that can do mild off-road stuff and tour on. I wouldn't want to do a lot of dirt miles on a big sport-touring rig ala ST1100, FJR, ST4.........

12-15-2010, 01:55 AM	#14
PeterW Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Gold Coast Oddometer: 1,976	I'd cross off the Versys - it's too road orientated, not that it's a bad bike, but it's too close to what you have. Of the others, the GS is better for short dirt rides close to home, the Wee wins hands down doing long hauls with a dirt road content. The longer the distance the more the advantage swings to the Wee. That said, if you want the Wee to work well on dirt it will need some suspension work. (With good suspension they are surprisingly good). It'll never be an MX bike or good on single track but it'll do decent speeds on dirt roads day after day without issues. Pete

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