What are my options?

[Bucket69]

Originally Posted by Drozit

I'll say Honda Crossover I think Is called .
I have met a couple only few months ago and they just love it .
It has same engine of a Fireblade but you can definitely do gravel road.

Other option sell your kidney and buy a road bike and an adventure bike !!!!
Good luck

Ha...that thought crossed my mind. I have a bass boat that is sitting in the driveway that I've only had in the water 3 times in the past 2 years. Might as well trade it in on something that I will use.

[Gryphon12]

Do you mean the new Honda NC700X (concept was call Cross Runner) which is a 670cc parallel twin, with cylinders canted forward at 66-degrees, 3.7 gallon gas tank, 60.6" wheel base and single front disk? Nice bike, with first orders now being delivered in the USA.

I believe that "Fireblade" was a European model name for Honda super-sports, starting with the CBR900RR (929 / 954 / 1000). Very highly-tuned inline four (I-4) engine. How does "Fireblade" apply here?

Or do you mean the Concept Honda Cross Tourer? I thought this was to be an Adventure bike using the 1200cc V-4 motor from the VFR1200? I haven't seen this concept being discussed lately, and don't know its status. Again, how does "Fireblade" apply?

[OConnor]

Wee. Next?

[mrbreeze]

I have ridden all of these on gravel roads:

Honda GL1500 Goldwing
Kawasaki Concours ZG1000
Yamaha FJR 1300
BMW R1100RL
Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom

Wee-Strom on dirt? no problem.

[Grainbelt]

FZ6 blows two-up. Forks aren't up to it, peaky powerband and dodgy clutch engagement point make it tough to be smooth. Manageable, but not fun. Current GF likes to ride, I quickly encouraged her to get her own bike.

The FZ6 is fine on gravel though. That same soft fork stays pretty well planted on choppy stuff, and the same peaky powerband makes it predictable at low RPMs for a little modest dirt-tracking.

The Tiger would be a good choice. As would the Wee. Versys is pretty compact for two, but it would work. I rode the F800 and hated it, but it and the revised F700GS would be in the same class.

[2tallnwide]

Originally Posted by Bucket69

I like the Tiger, but it is a little more than I wan to spend. I don't mind spending $8k, but if I do, it will be on a new, or like new bike. I have been leaning towards the V-strom, but the FZ1 has been tempting me. I'm not sure if the liter bike will be too much for the gravel or not.

The 955i Tigers are a hoot, and inexpensive as well....



I paid $4200.00 for my '05, it had a lot of extras with it, and recent service as well.

The Stroms are a lot of bang for the buck too....

[Bucket69]

Originally Posted by Grainbelt

FZ6 blows two-up. Forks aren't up to it, peaky powerband and dodgy clutch engagement point make it tough to be smooth. Manageable, but not fun. Current GF likes to ride, I quickly encouraged her to get her own bike.

The FZ6 is fine on gravel though. That same soft fork stays pretty well planted on choppy stuff, and the same peaky powerband makes it predictable at low RPMs for a little modest dirt-tracking.

The Tiger would be a good choice. As would the Wee. Versys is pretty compact for two, but it would work. I rode the F800 and hated it, but it and the revised F700GS would be in the same class.

Thanks for the info...being able to ride 2-up comfortably is a must.

[Bucket69]

Originally Posted by 2tallnwide

The 955i Tigers are a hoot, and inexpensive as well....



I paid $4200.00 for my '05, it had a lot of extras with it, and recent service as well.

The Stroms are a lot of bang for the buck too....

Nice looking scoot. I may have to look around to see if there are any around.

[2tallnwide]

Originally Posted by Bucket69

Nice looking scoot. I may have to look around to see if there are any around.

https://www.google.com.sa/search?hl=...=Google+Search

I found mine in South Carolina doing a national CL search like the one above...it's the first Tiger I've ever ridden, and first Triumph I've ever owned. Talk about bang for the buck, it's definitely got it...

If I hadn't liked it after the test ride test ride we had a VStrom 1000 we were going to look at as well. There are a lot of good choices out there right now...

[Grainbelt]

SearchTempest is a hell of a lot easier way to search craigslist, FWIW.

http://www.searchtempest.com/

[swiss-happy]

Honda NC700X

[DirtRider....]

Originally Posted by Bucket69

Thanks for the info...being able to ride 2-up comfortably is a must.

I ride all the time 2up on my Wee... i even lowered the passenger foot pegs and its great... plenty of power with passenger...

[vicster]

Why not one of the new Bonneville iterations? Enough power and room, smooooth, simple, very reliable, pretty good aftermarket support, available at very reasonable prices, and the 19" front wheel helps make them perfectly acceptable on dirt and gravel roads.

[Navin]

Originally Posted by Bucket69

I'm looking for a bike that will handle the occasional dirt road, 2 up and a good commuter. Something that I can put a trunk on and run comfortably for a few hours at a time.

I currently have a KLR650 that I really like, but it isn't as good of a road bike as I would like. I have been looking at the Kawi Versys, Suzuki V-Strom and the FZ6 (or FZ8 if new). What am I missing? Anything else that I should consider?

I don't get all the 17" wheel bashing? My KTM 950SM or 530EXC with sumoto wheels seems to disprove that theory completely!

The Verseys could have REPLACED the KLR in the line up and most wouldn't have made much of a fuss, cepting maybe the price increase . It is IMO, exactly what you describe, a more streety KLR. Better power, brakes, suspension, 2 up ergos. It is a cheaper KTM 950SM and is a hard bike to fault besides the styling which needed to grow on me. My buddy has the ER6n, wonderful engine and great feeling machine. He somehow manages to ride dirt roads too despite 17" wheels!