All,

I live in Atlanta and currently ride a Monster 695. While I love the bike, and do not really want to trade it in, I'd like to pick up a second bike. I rode a Hypermotard a couple weeks back, and thought about trading the Monster in for it (it is ridiculously fun). However, I checked insurance rates and found that it was pretty much a dealbreaker. I suppose I could have shopped around for insurance, but that sort of reinforced the idea that I really don't need to spend that much cash on a bike anyway. Crunching the numbers, it was as though suddenly I was looking at buying a car.

Here's what I love about the Monster:

a) It is fun around town. It has termi slip ons, ECU and open airbox. Has plenty of torque and HP for my commuting needs, when I evaluate them honestly, and keep the testosterone in check.
b) It is fun in the twisties, which are obviously close by. I like that it is somewhere between a sportbike and a standard, and find that I am faster on this slower bike, than I was on the faster bikes I've owned (a Hayabusa, actually).

What I do not like so much about the Monster:

a) Highway driving is not so fun, though admittedly I do little of it (I am either in the city, or in the mountains, or on my way to the mountains).
b) I wouldn't mind a little more low-end "oomph." I'd love to get something that caters a little bit more to the naughty side of me. If something that had enough torque to pull a wheelie came along, I would not complain.
c) I wouldn't mind something that I could take with my buddy who rides a BMW GS1150 for a little adventure riding.

So, long story short, what kind of bike should I get as a second bike?

Criterion:

a) I do not want to spend a lot of money, so I am looking primarily at used bikes (say $6K on the top end)
b) I do not want to spend a lot on insurance
c) I am not interested in a sportbike

Early contenders include the KLR, the DR-Z 400SM, the DR 650. I do not like KTMs. Anyone have thoughts on a good compliment to the 695?

Y'know, I'm in pretty much the same place you are. Looking for a second bike, love my '02 620, but want something for longer trips. Sounds like you're looking more for a dual purpose, tho, where I'm looking for something with some highway manners and luggage space.  I rode the DRZ-400 last year, nice bike. Good on the dirt, acceptable on the street.

Not to jack your thread, but if anyone has any firsthand info on the Honda PC800, I'd be interested in hearing it.
Thanks.

My friend has the DR 650 which he primarily uses as a dirt bike and doesn't like it at all.  If you're just looking for something that you can take off road but not go hardcore crazy then I wouldn't see it as a dealbreaker.

You might dig a KTM 950 Adventure, it's a totally different kind of bike but a good complement to your buddy's GS and like the name says, it is a pure adventure bike.  You can find them used at a decent price though likely closer to 7-8k than 6.

If you want something like a Hyper or a DRZ but you are already complaining about the highway manners of the Monster then I would suggest the Multistrada.  It is like a Hyper with much better wind protection and comfort.

A side note on the DRZ.  Everyone I meet who has one says they would trade it in a heart beat for my Husky 450 SMR.  The funny thing is they all ended up paying the same OTD as the Husky because the Suzuki dealers charge so much in dealer fees that the price is the same.  The Husky has much more power, far less weight, and much better suspension and brakes.

Thanks for all the advice all - keep it going. I really like the Husqvarna TE 610. Not exactly more polite on the highway, but passes all other criteria with flying colors. Plus, it is quite nice looking.

+1 on the 950 adventure

But a good bang for buck adventure bike is a used F650 GS... I am in the market for one of those right now.

Let us know what you get

My suggestions:
1.Hypermotard
2.Multistrada

I don't think you can go wrong with this two picks.Or go the other way and get a KTM 690

test ride the Husky, you won't be disappointed and there's a few simple things you can do to get more oomph out of the 610.

Quote from: Dareduc on June 15, 2008, 07:22:16 PM
+1 on the 950 adventure

But a good bang for buck adventure bike is a used F650 GS... I am in the market for one of those right now.

Let us know what you get

I was going to suggest one of the older ones, an Aprilia-built 2000>.  I have a '99 and I love it.  It was the first thing that came to mind when you mentioned "adventure ridiing".  You can find out all about them at www.f650.com.  Lo-mile, nicely farkled versions regularly go for ~$3k.

Don't they get totally righteous gas mileage as well? something like 60+mpg

Quote from: factorPlayer on June 15, 2008, 08:54:08 PM
Don't they get totally righteous gas mileage as well? something like 60+mpg

The later fuel injected ones do, the early carbed models get around 45-50.  IMO, the later bikes aren't nearly as good, or as user serviceable, as the early ones.  For instance, the BMW fuel injection is a closely guarded secret, and can be problematic.  BMW doesn't sell ECU upgrades like Ducati does.

Then again, if you get a bike that works, wtf?

I'm all for Dual purpose bikes!  I would take a hard look at DR 650s.  Yes, they are heavy for tight single tracks, but, they will take you across long distances and have the ability to go off road!  My friend just bought a KTM 640 adv, so naturaly, my next bike will be the DR650 (short legs), which, will be used to EXPLORE the Trans Am. Trail and Alaska at a later date in time.   With that said, you can lace up 17 inch rims and have your self a supermoto/hooligan bike/work horse!  IMO it is a "do-it-all" bike due to its ability to travel beyond paved roads, it's road manners  (More importantly, Highways (if thats your style!)) and it's nice low end grunt! 


BTW they can be had for 4 g's at ADVrider.com.  Also, most are hooked up with larger tanks for greater recon. range!     [moto]

The DR is definitely on the short list. But, as others have mentioned, when you farkle it and get it out the door, it ends up costing similarly (at least close enough for me) to the Husky, which is far more aesthetically pleasing to me.

That said, the Zook is bulletproof and I have dealers all over the place to work on it. So points there.

I just bought an 06 KLR, and all I need to say is... 6.1 gallon tank!!!  Time to plan out a road trip.

I like how the ride is so high up, you can see any hazards up ahead, OVER the other cars.  I hate how it buffets so much on the freeway, and the brakes are absolute crap compared to Brembos.  Really, the difference in stopping power is substantial. 

At first I was set on a DR650 due to the lower seat height...  I can barely put the balls of both feet down on the KLR, but I decided to just deal with it.  Compared to the Monster, this bike is FUGLY... the KLR was virtually unchanged for 20 years with 2008 being an all new model.  Think, 70's/80's design.  But I guess thats also a good thing, cause we know the bike is tried and true.