Reassessing my bike needs

All things dirty!! From tyres, to helmets, from GPS to map reading.
Hairybiker84
Posts: 225
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2021 2:06 pm
Has thanked: 70 times
Been thanked: 108 times

Re: Reassessing my bike needs

Post by Hairybiker84 »

Yorick wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 10:21 am
Hairybiker84 wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 8:47 am
Yorick wrote: Mon Sep 27, 2021 11:18 am I have one and the suspension lets it down, badly. My Husky TE300i is light years ahead, but the Beta was built to a price.
Completely disagree, there was nothing wrong with the suspension on the Xtrainer I had, conversely, most KTM's I've ridden and the one I owned have suspension that lacks compliance - can't comment on how they are racing-wise as I don't.
The Beta suspension was superb at everything apart from riding like a loon, when it got a bit unsettled. You shouldn't really be hooning around on lanes anyway.
How old is your Beta, mine was a 2017 model
Mine is 2017. All our riding is hard enduro. I couldn't keep up with the lads.
The Husky is 2019 and just goes where I point it.
I agree it won't keep up with full on enduro pace riding, I rode a 300tpi and, much as it was great fun, I thought it was a bit much for green-laning. The Xtrainer is brilliant at technical stuff and it's low seat and light weight mean that if you come a bit unstuck in deep muddy ruts, rocks or traversing you get half a chance of getting your foot down and not dropping it. If you have to put your foot down downhill on an EXC you'll be dropping it!
I was in Wales and a guy following me through some technical rocky bits said 'you'll find it easier if you go faster', 'why's that?' I replied, 'I couldn't go as slow as that as I couldn't keep my balance' - ''that's because you're not riding one of these' I replied!
The only downer for me was the limited range, even with the bigger tank on.
User avatar
Yorick
Posts: 16736
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Paradise
Has thanked: 10262 times
Been thanked: 6885 times

Re: Reassessing my bike needs

Post by Yorick »

Hairybiker84 wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:32 am
Yorick wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 10:21 am
Hairybiker84 wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 8:47 am

Completely disagree, there was nothing wrong with the suspension on the Xtrainer I had, conversely, most KTM's I've ridden and the one I owned have suspension that lacks compliance - can't comment on how they are racing-wise as I don't.
The Beta suspension was superb at everything apart from riding like a loon, when it got a bit unsettled. You shouldn't really be hooning around on lanes anyway.
How old is your Beta, mine was a 2017 model
Mine is 2017. All our riding is hard enduro. I couldn't keep up with the lads.
The Husky is 2019 and just goes where I point it.
I agree it won't keep up with full on enduro pace riding, I rode a 300tpi and, much as it was great fun, I thought it was a bit much for green-laning. The Xtrainer is brilliant at technical stuff and it's low seat and light weight mean that if you come a bit unstuck in deep muddy ruts, rocks or traversing you get half a chance of getting your foot down and not dropping it. If you have to put your foot down downhill on an EXC you'll be dropping it!
I was in Wales and a guy following me through some technical rocky bits said 'you'll find it easier if you go faster', 'why's that?' I replied, 'I couldn't go as slow as that as I couldn't keep my balance' - ''that's because you're not riding one of these' I replied!
The only downer for me was the limited range, even with the bigger tank on.
My stable.
20200620_191626.jpg
20200620_191626.jpg (1.83 MiB) Viewed 901 times
Hairybiker84
Posts: 225
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2021 2:06 pm
Has thanked: 70 times
Been thanked: 108 times

Re: Reassessing my bike needs

Post by Hairybiker84 »

Yorick wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:36 am
Hairybiker84 wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:32 am
Yorick wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 10:21 am
Mine is 2017. All our riding is hard enduro. I couldn't keep up with the lads.
The Husky is 2019 and just goes where I point it.
I agree it won't keep up with full on enduro pace riding, I rode a 300tpi and, much as it was great fun, I thought it was a bit much for green-laning. The Xtrainer is brilliant at technical stuff and it's low seat and light weight mean that if you come a bit unstuck in deep muddy ruts, rocks or traversing you get half a chance of getting your foot down and not dropping it. If you have to put your foot down downhill on an EXC you'll be dropping it!
I was in Wales and a guy following me through some technical rocky bits said 'you'll find it easier if you go faster', 'why's that?' I replied, 'I couldn't go as slow as that as I couldn't keep my balance' - ''that's because you're not riding one of these' I replied!
The only downer for me was the limited range, even with the bigger tank on.
My stable.

20200620_191626.jpg
Your carpet needs a clean :D
User avatar
Horse
Posts: 11549
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2020 11:30 am
Location: Always sunny southern England
Has thanked: 6186 times
Been thanked: 5087 times

Re: Reassessing my bike needs

Post by Horse »

Rockburner wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 11:54 am
Count Steer wrote: Fri Sep 24, 2021 10:59 am You can off-road on a big adv bike but I've always thought it was like teaching a dog to dance. You can, but why would you?
Keep the GT and go light I say. Apart from anything else, they're easier to pick up. :D
You can go off-road on anything you want. ;)


Image
Pfft Nick Sanders? Amateur, what does he know? ;)

Even bland can be a type of character :wave:
User avatar
Yorick
Posts: 16736
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Paradise
Has thanked: 10262 times
Been thanked: 6885 times

Re: Reassessing my bike needs

Post by Yorick »

Hairybiker84 wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:39 am
Yorick wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:36 am
Hairybiker84 wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:32 am

I agree it won't keep up with full on enduro pace riding, I rode a 300tpi and, much as it was great fun, I thought it was a bit much for green-laning. The Xtrainer is brilliant at technical stuff and it's low seat and light weight mean that if you come a bit unstuck in deep muddy ruts, rocks or traversing you get half a chance of getting your foot down and not dropping it. If you have to put your foot down downhill on an EXC you'll be dropping it!
I was in Wales and a guy following me through some technical rocky bits said 'you'll find it easier if you go faster', 'why's that?' I replied, 'I couldn't go as slow as that as I couldn't keep my balance' - ''that's because you're not riding one of these' I replied!
The only downer for me was the limited range, even with the bigger tank on.
My stable.

20200620_191626.jpg
Your carpet needs a clean :D
That's the work area for my poorly knees :obscene-birdiedoublered:
Gregor
Posts: 603
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2020 10:20 am
Location: Kent
Has thanked: 1295 times
Been thanked: 872 times

Re: Reassessing my bike needs

Post by Gregor »

Hairybiker84 wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:32 am
Yorick wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 10:21 am
Hairybiker84 wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 8:47 am

Completely disagree, there was nothing wrong with the suspension on the Xtrainer I had, conversely, most KTM's I've ridden and the one I owned have suspension that lacks compliance - can't comment on how they are racing-wise as I don't.
The Beta suspension was superb at everything apart from riding like a loon, when it got a bit unsettled. You shouldn't really be hooning around on lanes anyway.
How old is your Beta, mine was a 2017 model
Mine is 2017. All our riding is hard enduro. I couldn't keep up with the lads.
The Husky is 2019 and just goes where I point it.
I agree it won't keep up with full on enduro pace riding, I rode a 300tpi and, much as it was great fun, I thought it was a bit much for green-laning. The Xtrainer is brilliant at technical stuff and it's low seat and light weight mean that if you come a bit unstuck in deep muddy ruts, rocks or traversing you get half a chance of getting your foot down and not dropping it. If you have to put your foot down downhill on an EXC you'll be dropping it!
I was in Wales and a guy following me through some technical rocky bits said 'you'll find it easier if you go faster', 'why's that?' I replied, 'I couldn't go as slow as that as I couldn't keep my balance' - ''that's because you're not riding one of these' I replied!
The only downer for me was the limited range, even with the bigger tank on.
What did get range wise on the standard tank?
Hairybiker84
Posts: 225
Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2021 2:06 pm
Has thanked: 70 times
Been thanked: 108 times

Re: Reassessing my bike needs

Post by Hairybiker84 »

Gregor wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:47 am
Hairybiker84 wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:32 am
Yorick wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 10:21 am
Mine is 2017. All our riding is hard enduro. I couldn't keep up with the lads.
The Husky is 2019 and just goes where I point it.
I agree it won't keep up with full on enduro pace riding, I rode a 300tpi and, much as it was great fun, I thought it was a bit much for green-laning. The Xtrainer is brilliant at technical stuff and it's low seat and light weight mean that if you come a bit unstuck in deep muddy ruts, rocks or traversing you get half a chance of getting your foot down and not dropping it. If you have to put your foot down downhill on an EXC you'll be dropping it!
I was in Wales and a guy following me through some technical rocky bits said 'you'll find it easier if you go faster', 'why's that?' I replied, 'I couldn't go as slow as that as I couldn't keep my balance' - ''that's because you're not riding one of these' I replied!
The only downer for me was the limited range, even with the bigger tank on.
What did get range wise on the standard tank?
Obviously very dependent on how hard you are riding but I'd have thought on average 45 before it went on reserve - closer to 60 with the bigger tank
User avatar
Yorick
Posts: 16736
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Paradise
Has thanked: 10262 times
Been thanked: 6885 times

Re: Reassessing my bike needs

Post by Yorick »

Hairybiker84 wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 12:07 pm
Gregor wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:47 am
Hairybiker84 wrote: Thu Sep 30, 2021 11:32 am

I agree it won't keep up with full on enduro pace riding, I rode a 300tpi and, much as it was great fun, I thought it was a bit much for green-laning. The Xtrainer is brilliant at technical stuff and it's low seat and light weight mean that if you come a bit unstuck in deep muddy ruts, rocks or traversing you get half a chance of getting your foot down and not dropping it. If you have to put your foot down downhill on an EXC you'll be dropping it!
I was in Wales and a guy following me through some technical rocky bits said 'you'll find it easier if you go faster', 'why's that?' I replied, 'I couldn't go as slow as that as I couldn't keep my balance' - ''that's because you're not riding one of these' I replied!
The only downer for me was the limited range, even with the bigger tank on.
What did get range wise on the standard tank?
Obviously very dependent on how hard you are riding but I'd have thought on average 45 before it went on reserve - closer to 60 with the bigger tank
The FI system on the te300i engines is far more frugal than the carb on the Beta.
I get 4 or 5 hours riding.
fatgit
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2020 3:04 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 24 times

Re: Reassessing my bike needs

Post by fatgit »

Hi thanks for all of the replies.
Being pragmatic means lack of space rules out a third bike.
I definitely want something I can tour on including some Euro trips and being realistic I appreciate it’ll mainly be on the road but the state of some road surfaces and a desire to explore some backroads and more remote areas means an adventure type bike is the best option.
Currently thinking about the following 3
-KTM 890R slightly more off road potential and buying a 2021 bike may get a deal. Need to pay for extras to get the best spec.
-Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro good spec as standard and similar price to the above when extras added. Gets good reviews in the press
-Ducati Desert X more expensive, unknown quantity and not available until May/June

Hoping to try to get demos on the first two when the weather improves but anyone got any experience or advice?
Cheers
Steve
fatgit
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2020 3:04 pm
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 24 times

Re: Reassessing my bike needs

Post by fatgit »

Hi again
So the GT is sold and I think I’ve narrowed the choice down to 2.
KTM 890R Adventure and Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro.
The KTM is more off-road biased and the Triumph slightly more road biased but both capable of covering all bases.
There is no KTM R demo available locally so I’ve got a demo on an 890S on Wednesday so I can see what the motor is like. Also no Rally demo locally.
Both sets of salesman say that each will do the job I want and that is to tour, including to Europe (Spain/Alps etc) and then explore when I get there. But they would wouldn’t they.
I have a good relationship with the KTM dealer, not so with Triumph. The KTM dealer is slightly closer too.
I can get a good deal on the KTM and for a similar speccd bike it’s £1k cheaper.
More locally I want to explore more remote roads and lanes including mild off-road. Some touring in this country too-pretty much everywhere.
I think the KTM gives me more scope to expand my off-road riding if my skills develop.
Typing this I think I’m convincing myself towards the KTM but any experience, thoughts and opinions gratefully received.
Cheers
Steve