Modern day TDR250

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I was out for a ride on my FZ750 yesterday and took a B road I haven't been down for years, it was bumpy and poorly surfaced and I thought to myself, a supermoto would be much better for this road, further thought on this made me remember why I no longer ride a supermoto, they're uncomfortable, unreliable, high maintenance and stupidly aggressive, but I did think that a TDR250 would have been perfect, as they have a comfy seat, no maintenance, reliable (so long as you use good two stroke oil) and friendly like an old Labrador.

But TDRs are now stupidly expensive, so what's a modernish equivalent, the best I can think of is the Kawasaki Versys 650 and Honda CB500X, neither are attractive motorcycles and a bit too touring biased, maybe the KTM 690 SMC / Husqvarna 701 would be a better TDR replacement, though I don't find it attractive to look at, any other suggestions for a bike that's lightish, comfy, reliable and good on bumpy, poorly surfaced roads.

This thread is purely for discussion as I doubt if I'll buy anything.

[KungFooBob]

I was thinking maybe the F900XR or the F750GS, then I looked up the weight and decided you'd never go for one.

[weeksy]

You're close with the 690... but the wrong model as the SMC-R isn't really real world friendly.

The 690 Duke though really is, i've taken mine to Germany, i've taken mine to Silverstone, Donington, Pembrey, Cadwell, Brands etc. I had a tonne of incredibly good days out on the 690, pinned on the throttle, feeling it getting loose on the power on the front end. They're comfy, fun and just a hoot.

Only real downside is the potential of the plastic tank, but there's always plenty about on ebay if the worst did happen.

20160304_145419_zpsumwnc86u by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[KungFooBob]

What about a Husky Nuda 900, if you can find one.

Or a Ducati Hypermoto, or a 750 Dinodildo.

[KungFooBob]

Actually the new Dinodildos are 900's...

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-rev ... -900/2017/

[weeksy]

Actually the new Dinodildos are 900's...

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-rev ... -900/2017/

212kg though... i mean fuck me !

[KungFooBob]

They must put lead weights in the tank or something, cos god knows how they made it so heavy.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

You're close with the 690... but the wrong model as the SMC-R isn't really real world friendly.

The 690 Duke though really is, i've taken mine to Germany, i've taken mine to Silverstone, Donington, Pembrey, Cadwell, Brands etc. I had a tonne of incredibly good days out on the 690, pinned on the throttle, feeling it getting loose on the power on the front end. They're comfy, fun and just a hoot.

Only real downside is the potential of the plastic tank, but there's always plenty about on ebay if the worst did happen.

20160304_145419_zpsumwnc86u by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

I have issues with how they look, though the earlier ones look alright.

[weeksy]

this style i really like....

it's slightly down on power and performance compared to the later ones, but not much.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I quite like this one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124774481091 ... SwN3Vgyg-Q

Are the older ones reliable?

[Nidge]

Fantic Caballero?

[weeksy]

I quite like this one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124774481091 ... SwN3Vgyg-Q

Are the older ones reliable?

See now, weirdly that's the only one i've not liked that they've made. Although it rode perfectly well. It's taller and harsher a seat than the Dukes IV though. Reliability on all the 690s are fine, as long as you don't get the rocker issue that Pietin had that time, but despite the odd horror story, that's a long long way from common.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Fantic Caballero?

That would work, but I don't like the retro dirt bike styling and I'd trust the engine about as far as I could throw it, it wasn't great when it was made in Italy, now it's made in China.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I quite like this one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124774481091 ... SwN3Vgyg-Q

Are the older ones reliable?

See now, weirdly that's the only one i've not liked that they've made. Although it rode perfectly well. It's taller and harsher a seat than the Dukes IV though. Reliability on all the 690s are fine, as long as you don't get the rocker issue that Pietin had that time, but despite the odd horror story, that's a long long way from common.

If the Duke IV is the one you posted a picture of I've sat on one of your old ones, I thought it was comfy and the riding position was about right, the seat might have been a little low, but it really was just a quick sit on and I've never ridden one, in fact I think I've only ridden one KTM, the 1986 250MX I had, though I might have ridden a Duke II that a friend had.

[KungFooBob]

I can't believe no one has mentioned the XT660X yet

[Nidge]

That would work, but I don't like the retro dirt bike styling and I'd trust the engine about as far as I could throw it, it wasn't great when it was made in Italy, now it's made in China.

But apart from that?

[Taipan]

You should try a XT660X. Better bike than the Duke in many ways as its more real world friendly than the Duke. I just rode the XT and enjoyed it and neve gave anything else a thought, but with the Duke I was constantly checking oil levels etc and its vibey to the point of being uncomfortable and you need to check for things coming loose. Entertainment wise, the Duke nails it though.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I've ridden the MT03 that had the XT660X engine and thought the engine was nice but the chassis was bit meh, I'm too short to reach the ground on an XT660X but I can on an XT660R.

Which has just reminded me, Aprillia Pegaso with XT660 engine, they did a factory version as well.

[weeksy]

I've ridden the MT03 that had the XT660X engine and thought the engine was nice but the chassis was bit meh, I'm too short to reach the ground on an XT660X but I can on an XT660R.

Which has just reminded me, Aprillia Pegaso with XT660 engine, they did a factory version as well.

the 660 engine needs a PC3 and a few airbox mods to let it breathe IMO, a bit fettle and it completely changes everything about these things.

[cheb]

And the forks spacers. Don't forget those.