.

I like a lot of the older bikes, personally, as they're cheap but still deliver.
Depends how old you wanna go and whether you can live without modern convenience features...
 
Kreeeee said:
They're motorcycles not cars, so I don't need any modern conveniences other than an electric starter!
I'd prefer not to go too old though as getting parts here can be very expensive and difficult.
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I was thinking of stuff like fuel injection...

FJ1200 - £5-800 in good nick, if you shop around.
130BHP, 0-60 in under 3 seconds, top speed 160mph.
Easy maintenance, cheap and plentiful parts, bullet-proof engine.
 
The Gen2 Tuono is pretty damn hard to beat for what you get, £4-5k for a 2010 R model or £5-6k for a Factory model.

Other options are KYM 990 SMT, Speed triple, Monster 821/1200, Hypermotard 821. All v-twins, naturally ;)
 
TallPaul_S said:
The Gen2 Tuono is pretty damn hard to beat for what you get, £4-5k for a 2010 R model or £5-6k for a Factory model.

Other options are KYM 990 SMT, Speed triple, Monster 821/1200, Hypermotard 821. All v-twins, naturally ;)
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There are only 2 factory models on sale in my country. I'm trying to decide if the suspension is good enough on the R or if I'll regret not getting a factory.

It's a big reason for changing the ST actually, I should have gone with the best model they made (the 2012 R model). My bike is great, but there's a niggle in my head and as it's effectively a toy I am going to change it :p

I'd love a relaxed and fun bike like the RnineT/Bonneville for 2-up or relaxed riding, and then a sporty bike like the Tuono/636 for when I just want a play in the mountains on my own.
 
The rear shock on the R model is meant to be pants, a lot of people upgrade them with the sachs unit from the RSVR or the Ohlins rear shock, couple of hundred quid.

When I test rode an R model the suspension seemed good, although it showed how basic my CB400 suspension is!

The wheels on the factory model are also worth it, a couple of KG weight saving over the cast wheels, better flickablity and handling.
 
There's a whole load of new roads in the Alps waiting for you on an adventure bike.

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Excuse the large photo, on my phone.
 
Err, that's not a road. :p

However, I do agree with you. The Colle Delle Finestre. Part of the reason I want a KTM 990 adventure as a 2nd commuting/long distance touring/go anywhere bike.
2gwstcj.jpg
 
Haha that was just me messing about at the top of the Col de l'Iseran. 2770m plus an extra 10m of altitude because I can. :p

And yes please, that looks awesome.
 
Haha yeah I was touring with 2 MT09s and a street triple. Had to just take my off road opportunities as they arose.

You say that now Kree but you'd end up giving it a go and that'd be you sold on it. I was nervous taking mine off road for the first time but it ended up being the most fun I'd ever had on a bike.
 
Well it's illegal here so not likely.

I used to do motocross as kids so I know how fun proper off roading is.
 
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Is off-roading on an adventure bike the sort of thing you can just go and do (albeit carefully to start with), based purely on road bike experience, or do you need extra training and a totally different skill set?

Also Kreeeee when you say it's illegal, how so? Surely legality is only determined by the access for the road in question, which will be different each time? Or do you mean dirt tracking is always illegal on a motorbike?!
 
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In Switzerland there are no green lanes, no off road "paths" and vehicles are strictly limited to designated routes.

They are very serious about preserving the mountains here and you're not even allowed to ride a bicycle in non-designated places.

The only way you could do it is if you owned a field (which I do), and lived far away enough from people not to cause a nuisance (which I do not).

There are also no race circuits in Switzerland for similar nuisance/noise pollution reasons.

You don't need any training to go off road, but do read up a bit on it as the riding style is very different. E.g. you use the rear brake a lot more and stand up most of the time.
 
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Remember the Tuono was made from 2006 in the new shape (Mine is an 06) Never had an issue with the Sachs shock on mine but i fitted the ohlins rear anyway :P Also had the fronts revalved . You dont need the gearing from the RSVR so dropping to 15t on front and 44 on rear really does spice things up .

Although on recent test rides i would recommend you test the Bmw 1200r naked ... Felt as much fun as the Tuono but extra Torque really shows and was a hoot to ride
 
The issue is that mods are very difficult to do here as they are highly regulated and costly to get approved.

Changing sprockets isn't an issue but non-standard forks would be. Changing the internals shouldn't be an issue.
 
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