Asking for the accumulated wisdom of the group here: So which cycle do I buy? I want to trade my KLX 250S for a bigger bike, one with more comfort, more power esp. on road trips of 100-200 miles, and still have some ability to take it down gravel roads, with a small amount of easy single track stuff. Think 50% road, 40% gravel, and10% easy cow trails. No gnarly stuff and no mud doggin'. I have sort of narrowed the selection down to these bikes: Vstrom 650 XT, BMW F800 GS, maybe the Tenere 700. I have always been a fan of the BMW products. My K100 RT and R1100 GS were good examples of well designed and well built bikes that I depended on for years all over Texas and parts of New Mexico.
I recently test rode an F800 GS. The power was awesome, but something about the way it steered was just off. Later reading blogs about these bikes shows that worn steering head bearings may have been the problem on this bike with around 16,000 miles. The more I dig on the F800, the more mechanical issues surface such as wheel bearings, axle problems, and "soft wheels." These problems seem to be across several year models, not just the initial year. I want use my time to ride, not wrench or pay big dollars for German/Chinese engineering remediation. Finding a used bike with maintenance history seems difficult.
So the Vstrom 650 XT looks like a possible contender for my dollars. It seems to tick the boxes that I want: EFI, tubeless tires, good wind protection, comfortable seat for all day rides at Big Bend, reliable Japanese engine and trans, ample fuel range, ABS, center stand. I would have to add on heated grips which are pretty standard on the BMW.
Then there's Tenere 700. It checks pretty much the same boxes as the Vstrom, but without the history of the Strom as the T7 is so new. Some issues here are that I'm on a self-imposed budget. The T700 is right at the top of what I will spend after the trade-in value. This is also a first year of production bike, which gives me a pause. And there seems to be a shortage of supply at the beginning of the roll out. You can bet that dealers will not be giving any discounts for some time.
I can buy a new Vstrom or a used F800 at about the same price or spend a little more and get the Tenere 700. I have not ridden either the Strom or the T7, so I can't compare which one feels right for me. My riding plan is hauling the bike to Big Bend or the Hill Country or even New Mexico and riding day loops back in and out of camp.
So here is your mission, should you choose to accept: Which cycle is the unicorn for me? I want a reliable, low maintenance, comfortable, fun bike for my retirement riding. If you have experience with these three choices, please reply. Or if I am missing some other bike, please add it to my list.
Thank you in advance!
I recently test rode an F800 GS. The power was awesome, but something about the way it steered was just off. Later reading blogs about these bikes shows that worn steering head bearings may have been the problem on this bike with around 16,000 miles. The more I dig on the F800, the more mechanical issues surface such as wheel bearings, axle problems, and "soft wheels." These problems seem to be across several year models, not just the initial year. I want use my time to ride, not wrench or pay big dollars for German/Chinese engineering remediation. Finding a used bike with maintenance history seems difficult.
So the Vstrom 650 XT looks like a possible contender for my dollars. It seems to tick the boxes that I want: EFI, tubeless tires, good wind protection, comfortable seat for all day rides at Big Bend, reliable Japanese engine and trans, ample fuel range, ABS, center stand. I would have to add on heated grips which are pretty standard on the BMW.
Then there's Tenere 700. It checks pretty much the same boxes as the Vstrom, but without the history of the Strom as the T7 is so new. Some issues here are that I'm on a self-imposed budget. The T700 is right at the top of what I will spend after the trade-in value. This is also a first year of production bike, which gives me a pause. And there seems to be a shortage of supply at the beginning of the roll out. You can bet that dealers will not be giving any discounts for some time.
I can buy a new Vstrom or a used F800 at about the same price or spend a little more and get the Tenere 700. I have not ridden either the Strom or the T7, so I can't compare which one feels right for me. My riding plan is hauling the bike to Big Bend or the Hill Country or even New Mexico and riding day loops back in and out of camp.
So here is your mission, should you choose to accept: Which cycle is the unicorn for me? I want a reliable, low maintenance, comfortable, fun bike for my retirement riding. If you have experience with these three choices, please reply. Or if I am missing some other bike, please add it to my list.
Thank you in advance!