Motorcycles BS Thread 2.0

Hells ya man!

 

They're only supposed to hold like 11 pounds each lol. But just volume, that'd be like 30 twelve ounce cans each

 

That's what I heard for that specific issue. Wondering on the cross application of motors more generally that are shared - which I admittedly have not researched yet.

890 / 901 share the cam issue, or other issues in general also?

Really interested in what KTM is offering bike wise, but hate dealing with issues. Want it to be like the Toyota, fill with gas, do some oil changes, and go - no messing around required.

 

Just the cam issue, it seems like the 790 was the most likely to suffer. KTM really exposed their terrible customer support during these problems. A facebook group which I even recall seeing became their bastion of hope. Eventually KTM relented and covered all cam shafts.

I wouldnt consider any of those years for bikes. And KTM as a brand really set them self apart with how they handled it. Kove/CFMoto so far have been better, I'd rather have a chinese brand instead of KTM if I were buying new currently.

 

Then you want Yamaha or Honda's. Suzuki, too. The Japanese bikes, especially if you get one actually built in Japan, are the Toyota's of the motorcycle industry. Makes a lot of folks say they are boring.

If you want flavor, flare, or features/luxury then the Italians, Germans, and Austrians are where it's at. You're going to pay a premium and you better be ready to work on it or pay to have it worked on.

 

Good to know. Going to for sure wait and see how things shake out going forward the next while here. As appealing as the Chinese bikes appear, I'd question the reliability l, support, and longevity of both of those. Maybe as a secondary bike.

 

I hear you on that, seems to be the going consensus at any forum level. The ADV type area seems to be cornered as far as new bikes go to KTM. FE501S is my current eye catcher, closest new comparable would possibly be a Honda 450RL.

Maintenance isn't a major concern, even at an increased capacity. It's the major issues I'd like to avoid if possible. May need to consider a 2 bike garage here to have bases covered.

 

I have a KTM/Husky wish list, I'd be super happy with a 501FE and a 1290 adventure. But I own a Yamaha and Honda for a reason, and I cant see myself owning anything but the big 4 in the near future.

 

Just have to break down what you want out of an ADV bike. Performance wise nobody is really touching KTM. They're a bit nutty, but if you don't need the most advanced rocket ship around and are okay with a tamer ride then there are options.

IMO 2 points need to be addressed to find the right bike if you want to only have one bike to rule them all. It's not completely a sliding scale of one vs the other, but there is a degree of that.

1. How much highway riding do you want to do and at what speeds?
2. How aggressive do you get in the dirt, and what kind of dirt riding do you do?

For my one bike process it went like so:

1. Lots of highway and interstate with speeds sustained for hours at 75-80 MPH.
   • That means that comfort for 300 miles days at higher speeds was a must. Rules out thumpers and bikes that get buzzy over 65 MPH.
   • I want good fuel capacity so I have more than 100 miles of range. I don't enjoy range anxiety at all.
   • Good wind protection is a bonus, and so is cruise control.
2. Not at all. I'm not planning to jump or do anything crazy. Both wheels on the ground all the time, but I live where there are lots of dirt/gravel roads and they get potholes and washboards, so it has to make that easy for me.
   • This means I can have it be a little heavier, because I'm not trying to be Pol Tarres.
   • I want at least a 19" front wheel.
   • Not willing to put up with tons of maintenance intervals because I don't need the dirt rocket performance.
   • Can't have something that gets western on rough surfaces or doesn't have enough suspension and clearance for 35-50 MPH washboards.

With my pavement bias and the need for higher speed comfort a lot of the lighter and smaller CC bikes just fell off the list. Legitmately, if I never went over 65 MPH I would still be on my CB500X. I adored that bike and it was an absolute blast to ride, but the buzzy vibes at 70+ were intolerable for more than about 20 minutes. I still kinda miss it for how easy it was to ride locally. Just needed something bigger, and I would likely have gone to a V-Strom 650 or 800 but for one reason, and it's totally unique to me. I hate chain maintenance. Requiring a shaft drive on a Japanese bike pigeon holed me into liter plus bikes, and for the dirt needs the Super Tenere was the an easy choice.


Run through those questions yourself, be picky, and you'll wind up on a bike you love that does it all. You may have to give up some stuff and maybe go a bit heavy ( I did), but it's the best formula I have found to get a jack of all trades ride.

 

Soooo riding again today. 3 days straight feels great, since it's been over 15 years. Bike feels good. Ordered a new seat from Vietnam from Texavina

We will see in about 2-6 weeks.
Seat pan is metal supposedly for the bike and then cafe racer seat with an inch of extra foam for a taller seat.

 

May consider the later year (2015-2018ish) Triumph Tiger 800s. Seem to have a decent reputation, and know a few people that ride them without fuss. Isn't mega heavy, standover height is good but still comfortable, has sufficient range, etc. Can also be found for a decent price as well.

 

Stripped the Klx down of its DS parts ready for the swap that should take place Saturday.
I just plan on getting his bike all swapped over and I will do mine later. I want to take the tires off and seal the for tubeless Spokes.
Should be a pretty straightforward swap.

 

Cleaned the chains on both bikes. Gave the klx a oil change and tbh I wish it had a dip stick and not a sight glass... Other then that it's fine. Also cleaned up the garage so crap isn't all over the place



Not so patiently waiting for my tracer to come home...

 

Sight glasses are super fun. I just put in whatever it says I’m supposed to and assume it’s good

dealer sure is taking their time!

 

I have figured out over the last year or so that with all the riding I like to do one bike just won’t cut it. My Africa Twin does most things decently well, not many truly great. That said I won’t ever get rid of it. I can take it down just about any forest road I want, can still carve up some corners and sit comfortable on the highway all day long if need be. That said I am planning to buy a street oriented bike for the twisty riding I have been doing with friends lately, probably next spring, followed by a lighter dual sport for the more technical off-road rides.

 

Haha fair enough!

Honestly! They said should be tomorrow so hopefully

 

Contact the seller and send it back?

 

On vacation next week so I'm go na load up the tdub and go trail riding for a couple of days.

 

shit i wanna go!

 

It came from China. The cost to ship back wasn't worth it for them. It was a $200 GPS to start with.