Thinking about something for the road.

G

garethw

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2012
Location
Pattaya (ish)
Bikes
KTM 250 EXC-F
As the title says I am thinking about something road legal and plated. It will be used for day rides solo or 2 up, maybe a couple of days away 2 up, and the dreaded run to Pua from Pattaya ( I can no longer sit in the pick up for that long). Potential budget up to a maximum of 700,000 baht

My options seem to be in no particular order,

Kawasaki Versys, available in Patts, access to spares and service.
KTM Duke 690, nearest dealer is Bangkok, lack of access to spares and service, BUT love the design and look of them.
Triumph Street / Speed Triple, again nearest dealer is Bangkok and just over budget.
Honda CB500 f or x, available and Honda big wing now open in Patts.
Ducati Monster 795, reasonable price, Ducati dealer in Patts, not to sure about 2 up touring.

Any other options? I do not want a crusier / harley type thing, having ridden one for 2 days in the past they do not float my boat so to speak. The Thai assembled Ducati Hypermotard is still just a rumour according to a dealer I have had contact with.
 
KTM690SMCR - not sure what its like 2up though.


actually might be more wise to go the Enduro R way and SM it and then you'll have an awesome SM road bike and an awesome Enduro machine. I have a plan in the future to do this. Both bikes available legally plated in Thailand and under your budget.
 
Touring on the 690 would be vibe city tho..

I love em.. I want one.. But I wouldnt call it a tour machine.. One 600k day on my LC4 single had numb hands and swollen ankles from vibes.

Great fun for a few hours hoon, but all day riding that paint shaker 600cc single would be something to think about.
 
LivinLOS said:
Touring on the 690 would be vibe city tho..

I love em.. I want one.. But I wouldnt call it a tour machine.. One 600k day on my LC4 single had numb hands and swollen ankles from vibes.

Great fun for a few hours hoon, but all day riding that paint shaker 600cc single would be something to think about.
Click to expand...


He didn't ask for a tourer. I've been multiple day riding with a couple of guys recently with SMCR's, converted from a Triumph Tiger and VFR800 (Tourers). Only negative- the seat. No biggie to sort out though.

MAybe you have too much metal rattling about inside you to put up with a big single
 
By all accounts the new 690's no longer vibrate you to pieces, due to a balanced crank shaft, hence why I was leaning towards a 690 Duke.
 
garethw said:
By all accounts the new 690's no longer vibrate you to pieces, due to a balanced crank shaft, hence why I was leaning towards a 690 Duke.
Click to expand...

Gareth- Duke doesn't have the option to transform itself into a great off road distance tool. I'm going out with a guy who owns one tonight and takes his burd on the back quite often, I'll find out how her ass is afterwards!
 
2012 KTM SMC-R 690 VS 2012 KTM Duke 690 « Featured « derestricted

Here's a couple of interesting reviews regarding the Duke V SMCR. However after reading the first review you do get drawn to the Duke but what is not mentioned and as I mentioned previously having an Enduro R and converting it to SM mode (the other way around is expensive) is the killer blow for me IMO.
 
Cheers for the replies guys. This is purely going to be for road use only, for off road use I have my 250. It will be used for slinging a leg over, putting my wife on the back and disappearing for a day or 2. The only really long distance I plan on doing will be up to Pua every once in a while.

Reason I keep coming back to the Duke, is I have never owned one or anything like it, in the UK it was gsxr 750, Aprillia RSV and the last one I had before moving was a Triumph Sprint ST.
 
Totally agree with Jonny....

KTM 690 SMCR

You have the option to put dirt wheels on it and then have the ultimate Laos desert racer.


Not the most comfortable bike for 2 up once the novelty of the bike has worn off though.

Take a versys for a 2 day 800km ride 2 up, I think you'll be impressed with how it handles it, the Honda cb 500 x has a lot less power and 2-up will struggle in the hills.

Never sent from an I-Phone
 
garethw said:
By all accounts the new 690's no longer vibrate you to pieces, due to a balanced crank shaft, hence why I was leaning towards a 690 Duke.
Click to expand...

When did this start ?? As I remember Phil saying he road the beak version (is the the 690 SMR ??) and it also played hell with vibes ??

I enjoy em.. I think I will bring my Cambo bike back here for some powdercoat and work thats hard to get done in Cambo soon. But I learnt last time not to attempt major distance days.
 
LivinLOS said:
When did this start ?? As I remember Phil saying he road the beak version (is the the 690 SMR ??) and it also played hell with vibes ??

I enjoy em.. I think I will bring my Cambo bike back here for some powdercoat and work thats hard to get done in Cambo soon. But I learnt last time not to attempt major distance days.
Click to expand...

Its the Duke I am referring to not the SMR or Enduro
[h=2]BALANCER SHAFT[/h]
The finely balanced crank drive of the 690 single-cylinder converts terrific combustion pressure into unrivalled single-power - thanks to its balancer shaft, which eliminates vibration even better than ever without having any detrimental effect on the life of the super-single.

​
Let's Ride!
The very first impression when climbing aboard the Duke is that everything is in the right place. Unlike the Enduro R, the fuel tank and filler are up front, air filter is under the seat. It seems like this configuration has somehow saved some space too, particularly with the lower seat height. Beyond that, the general feel is very similar to a Ducati Monster, a theme that shows up in many other aspects of the ride. Things are off to a good start!
The most of the ride experience centers on the 690 motor. There is no part of it that I can directly relate to the Enduro version. It is more powerful and far smoother. A few months ago when we tested the 690 Enduro and the Husky TR650, I spent much of the time examining how they stacked up to each other on the street. The challenge with the 690 was that vibration would start to creep in at just under 65mph. It would come through both the bars and pegs.
There is no vibration at all on the Duke. Even holding the throttle to redline in third gear brings no significant vibes. There is always a bit of a rumble, enough to let you know it is alive, but not the kind that leaves you with tingling finger tips.
2013 KTM 690 Duke Review | Enduro360.com
 
I thought the same 690 engine design in all the 690's.. The Duke, the SMCR and the Enduro.. Seems not.
 
garethw said:
Its the Duke I am referring to not the SMR or Enduro
BALANCER SHAFT

The finely balanced crank drive of the 690 single-cylinder converts terrific combustion pressure into unrivalled single-power - thanks to its balancer shaft, which eliminates vibration even better than ever without having any detrimental effect on the life of the super-single.

​
Let's Ride!
The very first impression when climbing aboard the Duke is that everything is in the right place. Unlike the Enduro R, the fuel tank and filler are up front, air filter is under the seat. It seems like this configuration has somehow saved some space too, particularly with the lower seat height. Beyond that, the general feel is very similar to a Ducati Monster, a theme that shows up in many other aspects of the ride. Things are off to a good start!
The most of the ride experience centers on the 690 motor. There is no part of it that I can directly relate to the Enduro version. It is more powerful and far smoother. A few months ago when we tested the 690 Enduro and the Husky TR650, I spent much of the time examining how they stacked up to each other on the street. The challenge with the 690 was that vibration would start to creep in at just under 65mph. It would come through both the bars and pegs.
There is no vibration at all on the Duke. Even holding the throttle to redline in third gear brings no significant vibes. There is always a bit of a rumble, enough to let you know it is alive, but not the kind that leaves you with tingling finger tips.
2013 KTM 690 Duke Review | Enduro360.com
Click to expand...

Thats interesting that they've cured the vibration problem with the 690 duke.

It raises the question, will the new model 690 Enduro and SMCR also have less vibration ?

I'm thinking about something for the road too......
 
Theres a guy called neil g on gt rider who has got a peach of a Triumph 1050 sprint
He has been selling it for a while started off at 550b he is now after 450b.
It may be negotiable..its a beautifull machine..
Have a look if i was not up to my eyes with the house build.plus ive bought 2 bikes in 4 months this would be in my garage now.
As a side note i bought a versys for travelling its made for thailand..i would not have looked at one in the uk..i love it.
Good luck with your search....
 
I had one of those in the UK, Croydon to Glasgow the day I brought it. Then on the rare occasions the sun came out, it was great for the West Coast of Scotland.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom