Seeing Ian struggle with how the bike so readily stalls under power reminds me why I got rid of it. :( #motorcycle
I don't understand how #Honda can sell it in this state. >:(
I Took a Stock Honda CRF450RL Enduro Riding - It Didn't Go Well (EP.3)
The Honda CRF450RL is a nice dual sport for some highway, fire roads, and desert terrain. It has a fatal flaw - stalling - for enduro type riding or singletrack. Where is my KTM, Husqvarna or Beta when I need one - those bikes are so much better for true enduro riding.
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Meanwhile, I rode for several miles on the shoulder of I-90 with a conglomeration of several unrelated groups of riders to get around one of the worst traffic jams I've seen, and nobody batted an eye. :P #motorcycle
Also, there was a husk of a burned-out car on the freeway near Snoqualmie Pass. :(
Got my first speeding ticket this morning. 🙃 #motorcycleI was doing 75 on a 55 MPH freeway and got caught by a speed trap. Gotta love holidays. 😢
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Got my first speeding ticket this morning. 🙃 #motorcycle
I was doing 75 on a 55 MPH freeway and got caught by a speed trap. Gotta love holidays. 😢
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I used to have a liter bike, but going 110+ MPH on public roads just to hear/feel it sing just didn't seem right to me after doing it for a while.
I'm plenty happy going 80-100 MPH on my CBR650R, and so is the bike. :3 #motorcycle
The More I Ride, The Less I Want a 1000cc
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Carburetor vs Fuel Injection - Why Motorcycle Riders Should Think Again
Modern motorcycles are switching to fuel injection, but why? It's not the reasons we think, and that makes us reconsider a carburetor in our future.
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doesn’t surprise me. It’s the motor H-D sells most of outside the US. I will never tire of big V-Twins but the Revolution Max is quietly making waves, the Panamerica has changed the game for that motor.
If quality is maintained it may be H-D’s big chance to move into the global dual sport category with a great opportunity to do well.
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Finally got to ride my #Yamaha Tenere 700 on gravel roads on Friday! Took it on the Mountain Loop Highway to reprise a photo from when I first started doing raw photo editing. While it's not perfect, I've come so far since then! :) #photography #photog #photo #motorcycle
(By the way, there was wildfire smoke in the area at the time, so any photos will be a little off in the colors.)
Some thoughts on the Tenere 700:
- It feels like a sail in the wind, but it's not quite as tippy as a dual-sport. It's not as "flickable" as a dual-sport at any speed, but it does feel more stable at low speeds if I "point" my legs down.
- The motor feels a little "sleepy" to me. It has decent torque down low, but I can feel it petering out over, say, 8000 RPM. For context, my CBR650R pulls harder the higher in the revs I go, which has become my preference.
- The gearing is super low, such that first on it is like second on a "normal" street bike. It makes sense when you consider what the bike is for.
- Aside from the wind, it's definitely more stable at speed than any of my street bikes thanks to the big wheels, which is perfect for touring and uneven surfaces.
- Since I'm tall, the wind buffeting at speed is pretty bad. I'm used to some, but when the whistling starts becoming prominant, it's not my favorite. I do have a bolt-on visor extension for the windshield on the way.
The bike is pretty good at what it does, but I'd definitely choose one of my other bikes for street riding.
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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
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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
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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.)
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I have been very happy with my vstrom 650. It has an engine tuned for very friendly power delivery and some tech specifically for anti-stall.
The 800 is kind of ugly and requires premium fuel, but I can't speak to how it rides. I have no regrets with the 650. Riding as one this is plenty of power for everything you would do on road or off.
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Are motorcycles experiencing a resurgance among younger of-age generations today? :3c #motorcycle
(And I'm not talking about Harley sales!)
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Harleys are for x-ers and boomers, lol
the offerings from Japanese manufacturers are all great, and there is something for everyone out there.
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My #Honda #CBR650R sounds "bored" at the low end of the rev range, but begrudgingly does it, which is thanks to the dyno tune ECU flash. 🤙 #motorcycle
Before the flash, it was cranky and refused. As in, the throttle was mildly snatchy because I asked it to spend a lot of time at low revs when not going very fast. (Maybe sub-freeway?) 🤔
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Mike In SD
in reply to Neil E. Hodges • • •I’ve heard the DesertX doesn’t really compromise, but I’ve not tried one myself.
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