Bikes which waft

[weeksy]

We are talking roads here, not the Dakar?

I mean the Waftiest bike I've ridden was a CB1000R, it floated!

[A_morti]

I'd be looking for something with at least 8 inches of suspension travel and a 19" or 21" front. So an enduro bike then, probably a CRF to stay within budget.

The CRF would be good, but on reflection it has the same engine as my cb300r, and I don't really love it. I think it's just a side effect of modern lean fuelling on a small single, but it's not smooth low down. Don't think it's just me, as I read the same complaint fairly often on the owners' group.
I've been thinking about this and I reckon a versys 300 might be the winner. I always did prefer a bike that wants revs.

Alternatively, I wonder how much suspension changes can improve ‘wafting’. Different oil? Springs? Settings?

One guy has turned his into a cb300x. He used a cb500x shock which fits at each end but requires notching the swingarm and I think the frame too. I've used a blackbird shock on a cb-1 before, so I know the lay down angle is just as relevant as the spring weight in determining if it'll work. He used cb500x fork springs for the extra 2" travel but I have a problem with this since the cb500x is more than 50kg heavier than the cb300r. But in any case, yes I think it's possible-ish. IDK though, I'm swinging back and forth between that being a good idea/fun project, and thinking it's mental to notch the frame on a new-ish bike.

We are talking roads here, not the Dakar?

Yes roads, but if you caught the reactions of a few who've driven here lately, sometimes just barely.

Data is from 2019, but it's the best I can find. UK scored 4.9, well into the top half. Malta scored 3.3, only a few places above bottom.
https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/rankin ... ty/Europe/

A Sportsbike will rattle your fillings out, and a good bump can kick me/my kid out of the seat.

[matt]

Check out Nathan the postman on you tube. He has a place in Devon where you can go and ride these type of bikes back to back on and off road.
He's got Royal Enfield Himalayan and scram , KTM 390 adventure,crf300 rally ,BMW gs310 and CB500x.
He's done lots of videos explaining the fors and againsts of them all.
The Enfields are often the preferred choice.

[matt]

https://youtube.com/user/nathanthepostman

[KungFooBob]

I see two of these on my daily commute.

https://www.benelli.co.uk/new-bikes/bik ... rk-502-763

I see them pretty much everywhere (but my nearest bike shop is a Benelli and MV dealership).

Benelli's are Chinese built, but they seem pretty substantial irl.

[A_morti]

they seem pretty substantial irl.

I'm sure it's a fine bike, but at 235kg, I'd say you're right about substantial. I'm not feeble just yet, but that's a lot of bike to potentially be holding/picking up if you find yourself caught out while snaking through traffic.

Apart from which, the list price over here is a whopping €7,840: https://wotomoto.com/product/benelli-trk-502/

I'd rather pony up the €7,600 for a CB500X (199kg with the same power): https://www.gordonsmoto.com/moto/honda-cb500x/
However I just noticed that's this year's price for last year's model, and there are some big updates to the current model including USD forks, dual discs, and a new shock. Nathan the Posty reckons it's a game changer compared to the previous one.
Could be the sole importer didn't get the new model to the island yet!

Or get something in the 300cc class e.g. CRF300L is 142kg albeit with a chunk less power, versys 300 184kg with just a little bit less power.

[weeksy]

A KTM 690 Duke gives power, weight and potentially price too

[A_morti]

A KTM 690 Duke gives power, weight and potentially price too

I don't know much of anything about KTM's. What I do know is based on older bikes with lairy tunes that were frequently ragged, and then blew up. I'm aware this is probably unfair to the later bikes.
There are a few used ones listed locally, but I have no clue if the prices are "right".

€5,300 - 2013
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 6660583473

€4,700 - 2011
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 6359849106

€4,500 - 2008 it has the luggage I'd want anyway, but WTF is that exhaust?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 9364642736

I'm more interested in buying new though, as currently you can get 750€ back from the government here on a new 35kw bike (48hp, so A2 compliant), and I have 500€ more since I scrapped a bike 10+ years old earlier this year. In that case the €5,300 10-year old bike is in direct competition with a €6,550 brand new one.

[KungFooBob]

A KTM 690 Duke gives power, weight and potentially price too

But not wafty off road suspension?

[A_morti]

A KTM 690 Duke gives power, weight and potentially price too

But not wafty off road suspension?

Only needs wafty on-road suspension for my purpose. But I assume you mean it has firm suspension?

Just from the pics of the 3 used bikes I linked, the first and last appear to have much longer forks than the middle one. They're not the same, then?

[matt]

3 different models,all share the same frame and 690 engine.

[Supermofo]

A KTM 690 Duke gives power, weight and potentially price too

I don't know much of anything about KTM's. What I do know is based on older bikes with lairy tunes that were frequently ragged, and then blew up. I'm aware this is probably unfair to the later bikes.
There are a few used ones listed locally, but I have no clue if the prices are "right".

€5,300 - 2013
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 6660583473

€4,700 - 2011
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 6359849106

€4,500 - 2008 it has the luggage I'd want anyway, but WTF is that exhaust?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 9364642736

I'm more interested in buying new though, as currently you can get 750€ back from the government here on a new 35kw bike (48hp, so A2 compliant), and I have 500€ more since I scrapped a bike 10+ years old earlier this year. In that case the €5,300 10-year old bike is in direct competition with a €6,550 brand new one.

The top link is a 690 SMCR like Weeksy's but with the generation before engine. I think the SMC didn't get the Dukes 2016 updated engine till later than 2016. I also think some early 690 SMCs had the 650cc engine out of the Duke III, not sure when they got the Duke IV engine. Being an SMC it'll have longer travel suspension than the Duke I'd imagine but not sure how soft it'll be as it's still mainly a road going SM. Sure Weeksy can tell you.

The 2nd link is a 690 Duke III. These are 650cc engines not the later true 690s. They have underseat pipes and angular bodywork. Personally I'd look for a Duke IV which came along in 2012 with a 690cc engine and IMO better styling. Even better a 2016 on which got the updated engine with 72bhp and different rocker arm design. Rocker arms are the 690 weak spot till the 2016 engine. Plenty of high mileage Duke IVs out there though, reliability is way better than the earlier 640s.
Models differences are here.
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-rev ... /690-duke/

Bottom link is a 690 SM. Which are pig ugly. They share the same engine as the Duke III I believe so the older 650cc
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-rev ... moto/2007/

There is also a 690 Enduro which is an offroad version with 10 inches of travel. Early ones I think have the 650cc engine but I know for sure the 2014 has the 690cc as my mate has one. One of these on the Adv bike forum did 86k miles.
https://www.cycleworld.com/2014/11/13/2 ... fications/

[A_morti]

Kawasaki dealer didn't respond to my message asking if they have any versys 300's.

The Honda dealer has a container with the new cb500x landing next month, price €7,600.

BMW Malta want €7,200 for a 310GS, which just feels like silly money, especially compared to the Honda.

Cb500x could be the winner. Nathan the posty likes the new model, too.

[ChrisW]

Kawasaki dealer didn't respond to my message asking if they have any versys 300's.

The Honda dealer has a container with the new cb500x landing next month, price €7,600.

BMW Malta want €7,200 for a 310GS, which just feels like silly money, especially compared to the Honda.

Cb500x could be the winner. Nathan the posty likes the new model, too.

I was in a Suzuki main dealer earlier today - they had three new bikes in stock and they were all 125s...

[Asian Boss]

At the risk of recommending my own bike, I'm pretty pleased with my KTM 390 Adventure.

It takes a top box well. And is super frugal, I've had over 100mpg from it. It coped OK with my PAWG'y girlfriend on the back too.

[Taipan]

I think i;d be looking at a CB500X. A couple of guys at work had them as loaners, from Dobles I think, anyway, they kept banging on what brilliantly useable town and b road bike they are. Arrive everywhere with a grin on yer mooey etc

[A_morti]

The Honda dealer has a container with the new cb500x landing next month, price €7,600 (Showroom price - there will be a couple hundred on top for the plate and road tax)

The guy who brings Fantic to the island didn't have any Caballeros and didn't seem hopeful about getting them in.
Lovely looking thing (from the right angle) albeit the exhaust is well-placed to scald kiddo's ankle.


The Mash 650 is in stock €6,200 but might be a bit too Chinese for me plus doesn't seem to review that well.
Same consideration about exhaust placement as above.


This one's interesting though. Enfield Scram 411, at <€6k on the road it's a boat load easier on the eye than the Himalayan.

The dealer has one in stock, and he is one of a rare breed on the island who will allow test rides.
How slow is too slow for a small island with no speed limits above 80km/h?

[Couchy]

Any excuse for the video, the other rider in this video is my bro on his standard cb500x. Still has it now 2 years on and still his go to bike for everything. For reference the quickest lap was a 1m58 which is ok for a bog standard bike on at Cadwell

[A_morti]

@Couchy that's brilliant, overtaking litre bikes on a 40hp retro.

[Yorick]

@Couchy that's brilliant, overtaking litre bikes on a 40hp retro.

It was the slowing down last lap