kickstandsup
Why not?
It sure does. My two smallest bikes have never had a passenger on them and probably never will.
And my largest current bike has never had a passenger on her, and probably never will.
It sure does. My two smallest bikes have never had a passenger on them and probably never will.
My only passenger is my Mosko Moto Rackless 80 setup...never whines or complains about needing to stop to pee! 😉
You are a lucky man, sir!Neither does mine...
She does, however, like the occasional nap...
She doubles as our photo documentarian, with skills...
And will go anywhere...
I really like my set up...
My only passenger is my Mosko Moto Rackless 80 setup...never whines or complains about needing to stop to pee! 😉
Always complains when I miss a good pass opportunity…
It would be a better road bike but less capable off road. I guess it really depends on what he meant by "light DS"
Sounds like you're a perfect candidate for a Versys-X 300.
...ken...
Modern big bore thumpers ( doesn't have to be sumo'd) are THE KING of rough , sub -60mph back roads. Nothing can touch them. That thumper torque will launch harder than any sport bike out there and be super easy to ride while doing it. You can't beat em!// a 450cc feels like cheating in the twisties too.
I only time I miss the 1200cc big bike, is if I have to make time on a highway or interstate.
give me back roads 99% of the time
My own KTM is an old RFS dinosaur, so I'm not a modern bike snob. I don't have to constantly patch up my XR 400 anymore, I just hop on the KTM and it works. It's freeing.
I used to bleed Honda Red, but there's no Honda's in my garage these days.
I have found that I really don't need that much horsepower. My Versys with 58 RWHP feels like a rocket compared to my other bikes. It's nice to be able to actually use all the power a bike has without immediately being in the lose your license zone. I think that how much HP you feel you need will depend a lot on where and how you ride. I ride a lot on roads where speeds tend to be fairly low. A rarely get over 80 any more. When I lived in San Diego I rarely went for a ride without hitting triple digit speeds.I see this topic of downsizing brought up many places recently. Seems it usually boils down to guys struggling with the idea of giving up strong engines in order to not be stuck with a heavy bike.
I was deciding between a KTM 500 and a 450L when they came out. I was able to test ride them back to back. They're both awesome machines that I'd be happy to own. I was having trouble deciding which to buy.I sold a 2004 KTM 400EXC RFS to fund the CRF450 Purchase.
At the end of the day the KTM turned into a maintenance whore and there is something nice about a new bike to replace a 15yo worn out one.
Funny you mention a woods bike. In addition to a KLX for daily riding, CRF for desert fun, I'd like to try a YZ250FX for an afternoon in the woods.In 50+ years of riding and owning 20+ bikes the biggest bike I owned was a 2006 KLR 650 I bought in 2020. All the bikes I have owned have been single cylinder pure dirt bike or off road capable. The KLR fell over in my driveway the day I bought it home (only time it hit the ground) and I picked it up without drama. My current bikes are a Husky te 300 and a Honda CRF 450RL so no need to downsize for this 60+ guy. I have wanted to ride a 200 2T woods bike or a Husky te 150i to see if I like it...maybe someday.
Funny you mention a woods bike. In addition to a KLX for daily riding, CRF for desert fun, I'd like to try a YZ250FX for an afternoon in the woods.
Jury is still out on it, as some claim it is tame, others a freaking monster handful...
Meh, 3500- 6000 RPM is more realistic for my ridingTwist that throttle to the throttle stop and don’t let the motor dip below 6000rpm, that is how the manufacturer intends it to be ridden. My KTM150 was that same way, it was a blast to ride a bike using every last HP the motor could put out. There is something soul crushing about listening to some people ride bikes at 300rpm because they are scare to crack that throttle.
Meh, 3500- 6000 RPM is more realistic for my riding