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These are the bikes on my radar. (The CRF450RL is only on there for reference.) At the moment, the ranking is:

  • Yamaha Tenere 700
  • Honda XL750 Transalp
  • Kawasaki KLR650
  • Honda XR650L
  • Kawasaki KLX300
  • Honda CRF300L

I know the bikes aren't all in the same category, but I'm just looking for:

  • 21" front wheel.
  • Not horrible on the freeway.
  • Reliable and reasonably easy to work with.
  • Durable.
  • Reasonable weight.

What do folks think? :3

#motorcycle

#motorcycle

Neil E. Hodges reshared this.

in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Neil E. Hodges
Neil E. Hodges
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For context, the CRF450RL is what I have now and the engine is more of a princess than I really want to deal with.

Neil E. Hodges

2024-07-06 16:52:51


I think I want to sell the CRF450RL. I can work with how tall it is, but the engine is extremely high-strung. Even after warming up, it wants to stall when giving it even moderate or more throttle, which is the "flame-out" issue that reviewers have been complaining about for years. If I can't trust the engine, I can't trust the bike and I don't need that when touring (on-road or off-road).

(The luggage is plenty good and I plan on keeping it for whatever in the future.)

#motorcycle


in reply to Neil E. Hodges

LeeRayl
LeeRayl
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not my area of knowledge but when I rode Suzukis the VStrom was well respected for its balance in rode/adventure areas as well as doing well head to head with their counterparts. I see they live at the top end of $$ and power on this list but if you haven’t given one a go, demo one this summer.

Good used market and parts are plentiful but as with most Suzuki, not a huge custom market.

in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
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I own a CRF300 Rally. At my body weight (75 kg/165 lbs), it'll do 110 km/hr (68 mph) all day every day, with a bit of juice left over - but not much.

If you need to cruise at higher speeds on your freeways you weigh a lot more, it might not be the best choice.

I've not owned any of the others, but I suspect the KLX300 will be similar.

The KLR650 only has 5 gears - might not be great at freeway speeds.

I hear great things about the T700 and Transalp.

This entry was edited (4 months ago)
in reply to Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺

Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
Dave Heinemann 🇦🇺
• •
I'll add - out of all those options, I'd definitely get the CRF300 Rally again. I'm not sure what your goals are, but for me, it's the perfect all-rounder, gravel, and travel bike. Australian roads almost never exceed 110 km/hr, so it's got more than enough power here.
in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Patrick
Patrick
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I’m probably biased but it’s got to be a Tenere 700. I have just ridden mine through rain, sleet, temperatures from 7° to 30°C, mud, rivers, motocross tracks to mountain passes and highway in between. Dropped it on rocky trails, rode through rivers. All without a problem.
in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Pistonblown
Pistonblown
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Finally had a go on a mates CRF300 the other weekend I've got to say it was a lot of fun. Reminded me of the CRF125 I had over in Australia. Obviously more power (which was welcome) but still light and nimble and loads of fun on gravel roads. I didn't do much tarmac and so can't say what it would be like there.

Having said that, on your list I'd personally go for the Tenere. I love the Transalp, always wanted an original, but the Tenere just seems a bit better overall from what I've read

in reply to Neil E. Hodges

gunnar
gunnar
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Always liked the look of the Ténéré but had no luck to try one yet. Great bikes for sure.
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