When I askedour KLX groupabout cruisers, responses were all about performance. I guess I am, too.Maybe a cruiser is not what I want, becauseI appreciate the twisties, responsive throttle and a well balanced bike. So, maybe a good sport touring bike.Cananyone say a thing or two about your touring bike, and is bigger better?

Thanks.

 

Cruisers? Sport bikes? I thought this was the KLX250 site?!


One man's dream bike is anothers belly laugh!

 

It is THE KLX 250 site, however with that in mind, there's no reason we can't have questions concerning what a good supplemental ride would be. Personally I'm looking for a streetbike/standard to go with the KLX so I can commute on the street bike and make the KLX primarily a street legal dirt bike.

 

Maybe we should discuss what type of car we should be driving as a supplement to our KLX.

 

I wonder if they come in green?


or maybe this?

 

Maybe it's tike to create some Sub-Forums. Any good forum has room for discussion about things other than the primary subject.

Bulls90, Now your talking! Your decision will be how much comfort you want vs. how much performance. I'm biased toward my BMW, but theyare a little expensive ot purchase and maintain. So it might not be what you looking for. However, BMW does offer demo rides of all their bikes,most other brands don't.

Here's a list. wiht some pro's & cons. I'd suggest you do some searching on the mfg's homepages and other forums and see if it's what you want.

- Buell Ulysses - great handling, torquey V-twin power, suprisingly comfortable, reasonably priced, limited wind protection.
- Honda ST1300 - great comfort, sweet V4 power, great wind protection, heavy (over 700lbs), leg & foot gets heat off the fairing. only 5 speed tranny, but enough torque to get away with it.
- BMW R1200RT - Lots of electronic stuff, Good combination of power and handling, not too heavy with low CG, expensive, some final drive issues, Quirky but very unique flat twin boxer engine... high tech engineering meets low tech engine configuration, German engineering (it's different).
- BMW K1200GT - Similar to the RT, but less legroom, super smooth and powerful inline 4, a little heavier.
- Kawasaki Concours 14 - designed on the ZX14 platform, awesome power (150HP?), new model.
- Yamaha FJR1300 - R1 like power, great handling, almost cult like status, expect to get on a waiting list because Yamaha doesn't build enough of them. Only 5 speed tranny, enough torque everywhere, it probably only needs 5 speeds.
- Honda VFR - More like a sportbike, but more upright postion capable of longer distances. Sweet V4 motor with VTEC.

For cross country comfort - BMW R1200RT, Honda ST1300
For more Performance - FJR1300, Concours 14, VFR

You also might want ot look at and adventure bike. They offer some offroad capability, but better wind protection and comfort compared to a dual sport.... and much more power.

There's basically 2 bikes on the market -

KTM 990 Adventure
BMW R1200GS & Adventure

The KTM has a little better off-road capability and a little better performance from it's compact V-twin.The BMW has a littlebetter on-road comfort and handling. You can test ride a BMW, you'll probably have to just order a KTM. I test rode the GS. I had originally wanted to buy one but the comfort of the RT sold me. The GS was a fun bike, but just didn't feel right to me.

Smaller bikes -

Suzuki V-Storm 650
KLR 650
BMW F650GS


Good luck making a decision.

 

Motoguy,
Thanks for your thoughtful response!!

 

I have a garage full of bikes. I ride my KTM 625 SMC super moto the most, next is my KLX, then my ZX10R. I think that I am going to sell my ZX10 and get a KTM 990 Super Duke for my main street ride. I love the upright seating position, great handling and power of the KTM.

It's hard to think about selling my ZX because I have had a sport bikes for the past 25 years. I never gave any other street bike a second thought until I got my little KLX then that led to a ride ona Super Moto. It's the most fun I have had on two wheels on the street! If it is twisties you want you can't beat it!SM's arenot great bikes for long highway rides. That is where the Super Duke comes in.

 

I just got aKTM 640Adventurewhich will bemy "touring/street bike",well it's about as streetable as you're going to get thiscracker.

Here's a pic



Here she is loaded up and ready for long distance exploring.



PS..... she can rip up some sugar sand!!! I think the lil klx was a little jealous this weekend.

 

I have always owned sportbikes before the klx. The klx is the only bike that I own right now. An old school bobber is in the future but I think that the next sport, sport/tourer that I get will be an SV1000. I like the look of the supersport bikes but have a hard time with comfort staying on them for extended periods of time. I think that the sv is a good comprimse between comfort and sportiness. Although the Buell xb12r's are a very sweet looking bike imo, I would like to see where the comfort level is on them.