What would your second bike be?
#21
12-23-2015 | 05:29 PM
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 883
From: 'Noke, VA
My first bike is the Night Train in my signature pic. Not my first, but the one I'll have until I'm in the ground.
The RGU is my 2-up and distance bike.
The KLR is my winter beater/commuter/adventure bike. It's crazy fun to ride, and is the best bargain on a bike out there.
If I were able to get a few more......
I'd replace the KLR with the new Africa Twin and with a dedicated dirt bike.
I'd probably get a V-Strom or a Versys for commuting.
I'd love to have an FXRS Sport.
And a '98 ZX-7R like Doug Chandler's would be quite nice.
For the folks who want a big BMW or KTM adventure bike.....They're street bikes that're butched-up and built for tall guys. They're way too big, heavy, and expensive for RTW trips. If you want a simple, cheap bike to bash around the backcountry, you want a KLR. You can buy used ones for $3,000 or so. I bought mine new for under $5,000. With a few simple mods (crash protection, suspension, comfort stuff), you can have a bike that'll transition from road bike to off-road beast for less than $7,000. You can do any sort of work on it yourself, and if you completely bone something up you can get a new engine for less than a grand, or a new bike for around $3,000.
The RGU is my 2-up and distance bike.
The KLR is my winter beater/commuter/adventure bike. It's crazy fun to ride, and is the best bargain on a bike out there.
If I were able to get a few more......
I'd replace the KLR with the new Africa Twin and with a dedicated dirt bike.
I'd probably get a V-Strom or a Versys for commuting.
I'd love to have an FXRS Sport.
And a '98 ZX-7R like Doug Chandler's would be quite nice.
For the folks who want a big BMW or KTM adventure bike.....They're street bikes that're butched-up and built for tall guys. They're way too big, heavy, and expensive for RTW trips. If you want a simple, cheap bike to bash around the backcountry, you want a KLR. You can buy used ones for $3,000 or so. I bought mine new for under $5,000. With a few simple mods (crash protection, suspension, comfort stuff), you can have a bike that'll transition from road bike to off-road beast for less than $7,000. You can do any sort of work on it yourself, and if you completely bone something up you can get a new engine for less than a grand, or a new bike for around $3,000.
#28
12-23-2015 | 07:46 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,368
Likes: 2,866
From: Charleston, SC
For the folks who want a big BMW or KTM adventure bike.....They're street bikes that're butched-up and built for tall guys. They're way too big, heavy, and expensive for RTW trips. If you want a simple, cheap bike to bash around the backcountry, you want a KLR. You can buy used ones for $3,000 or so. I bought mine new for under $5,000. With a few simple mods (crash protection, suspension, comfort stuff), you can have a bike that'll transition from road bike to off-road beast for less than $7,000. You can do any sort of work on it yourself, and if you completely bone something up you can get a new engine for less than a grand, or a new bike for around $3,000.
For me it was a great off road bike (little over geared) but it absolutely sucked on the hwy. A little light and no power.
For the 3400 bucks I had into it though, it was awesome.
But since we were dreaming and all... yeah a big KTM or BMW. Mo power anyway. Better options and aftermarket following too.
Last edited by lp; 12-23-2015 at 07:51 PM.
#30
12-23-2015 | 08:00 PM
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,481
From: SW Washington State
My current Daily rider is a Road King, after that its vintage for me. Im a retired professional Mechanic and love to wrench. I average 12k a year on the King but it never needs anything but routine maintenance so the vintage bikes fill a need, plus they are a blast to putt around on and are full of attitude.
Last edited by sixguns; 12-25-2015 at 08:32 AM.