Thread: After some opinions on first road bike

I've only got dirt bikes and have had very limited road bike time. However I have been doing a lot of reading about getting an adventure type bike as I am planning to get one soon. My first pick would be a KTM 690 enduro, second a Suzuki DR650 with an aftermarket comfortable seat and a few suspension and engine tweaks and if you're mostly riding on the road one of the new model Kawasaki KLR650's would be worth considering. Bear in mind I haven't ridden any of them just been reading a lot about them.

Some of the comments in this thread crack me up Hayabusa, sports bikes v supermotads.
He is commuting.

By the way did I tell you how my Suzuki GT 185 seized on me when I was trying to pass a world superbike champ on the outside.

Originally Posted by erniec

Some of the comments in this thread crack me up Hayabusa, sports bikes v supermotads.
He is commuting.

By the way did I tell you how my Suzuki GT 185 seized on me when I was trying to pass a world superbike champ on the outside.

That's why you should always only use Castrol oil.

Originally Posted by outlander

She got more twisties than you could shake a stick at, the Cemetry Circuit.

No doubt, but out of the corners is where the sport bikes would run away.

You can’t make up for that much hp difference with faster cornering speeds.


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Originally Posted by erniec

Some of the comments in this thread crack me up Hayabusa, sports bikes v supermotads.
He is commuting.

By the way did I tell you how my Suzuki GT 185 seized on me when I was trying to pass a world superbike champ on the outside.

So a road legal WR450 or DRZ400 would be a bad choice for a commuter?


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the bike that has always stood out for me as the most fun to ride was a mid 80s XR200 plenty fast enough,easy to ride,easy to go slow or fast on.... and not to thirsty to fuel up.... had wee 100cc 2 stroke honda during high school years,then a cb250...awesome bike but canned off once too often getting cocky,bought a suzuki gsx400 and hated it....it was a right pig to ride compared to the honda cb250..... havent owned a bike for 30plus years now but contemplating getting another just for cheapness to run...definately wont be looking above 500cc or will defeat the purpose....

Originally Posted by outlander

That's why you should always only use Castrol oil.

It was waiting to happen.
Have since rebuilt it.
Actually a true story.
Freddie Merkel in his Toyota van going down the Burma Road (access road to Maraetai Power Station).
I didn't lie just didn't tell all the story.
We worked together for years.

Originally Posted by Spudattack

So a road legal WR450 or DRZ400 would be a bad choice for a commuter?


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@Spudattack you don't happen to have one of those do you? I'd love to have a sit on and perhaps a ride before buying one in the US for a ride next year

I'd happily ride my NC30 as a commuter but most people don't like being a human paper clip. Motard or cb650 or similar would be a mint commuter bike. If I was to spend long hours on a bike I'd want an upright riding position to take the pressure of the wrists and 400-750cc so I don't need to constantly flick through the gears in traffic

Originally Posted by erniec

.....He is commuting.

Took the words right out of my mouth

The way I rode my Kwaka H1 500, Suzi GT550 and Norton Commando 750 in my teens (1970's) I would not trust myself on a sports bike again. Made it alive past 20 years old, so don't intend to push my luck. Will be dirt bikes for me from now on.

Although I guess I could make an exception for a slug like a Royal Enfeld or some such. Would save me from wrapping myself around a lampost

Originally Posted by imaca

@Spudattack you don't happen to have one of those do you? I'd love to have a sit on and perhaps a ride before buying one in the US for a ride next year

No, mine’s a hardcore track rmz450 motard (see pics higher up) not street legal at all.

Same riding position though if you wanted to have a ride?


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Originally Posted by erniec

Some of the comments in this thread crack me up Hayabusa, sports bikes v supermotads.
He is commuting.

By the way did I tell you how my Suzuki GT 185 seized on me when I was trying to pass a world superbike champ on the outside.

Pretty much every thread on every subject goes for a wander at some point, so whats got up your knickers?

Nothing just cracks me up as you say every thread goes for a wander.

Well I’ve spent a couple of weeks commuting around Auckland and driving to and from home in The weekends on a souped up DR650.

Bloody awesome around town but I might try something a bit more road orientated for the open road and motorways.

It seems all the riding gear is made for midgets too.

Try the Dririder gear Aussie designed fits Kiwi shapes a bit better.

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