Which bike?

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bikes/moto ... lia/pegaso

[roberteagle6]

Hi, I have the BMW 650 Sertao. It weighs around 190 kilo not sure how that compares to the Dakar. I have ridden the bike extensively and it is capable off-road and fun on road - will see in excess of 100mph and is comfortable at high speed even wearing knobblies. It is fairly easy to change the front sprocket if you want more control off-road as the standard gearing is more road orientated. I have smaller and lighter bikes, but I find it ideal for long road trips where the destination offers interesting off-road opportunities - fun en-route and rideable off-road when you get to your destination.

[dodursley]

a DIY GS650
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-650-GS-p ... SwPOhaXnl0

[Scott_rider]

The answer to your question is a KTM 690 Enduro

[Brenhden]

The answer to your question is a KTM 690 Enduro

Certainly the easiest to pick up

[Helicoptermanr22]

Thanks for the replies. Ive looked at the KTm 690 but im 3 inchies from touching the floor. Way to high. And seat very uncomfortable for the longer ride. Also the reliability of it which ive heard isnt great?!?! Twin cdi’s which can fail etc. Is this right??

I know i can get it lowered and a different seat but its all extra money which will blow my budget. Its more of an enduro machine rather than a comfortable trail bike

[Scott_rider]

The 690 enduro is really a big more focused trail bike. Sure, you can race them in an enduro but it’s not a true enduro bike. It would be awesome on the Plain and with a few mods you can do distance work on them. There is a forumite on here who rides his to Switzerland and back (I think). True, they are quite tall in the saddle. How about a GS 80O? Certainly capable of doing the road miles in comfort and from what I’ve heard they would be ok on the wide trails of the Plain. Or maybe go old school with a DR650?

[Richard Simpson Mark II]

Or the 650/700 twin...which is really the same as the 800 in cc terms but is not quite so lanky...

[DavidS]

My 690 enduro was brilliant on Salisbury Plain but, with my low level of ability, I struggled with the Ridgeway ruts even more than usual. I did find it was a bit heavy for me and have also bought an FE450 Husky but I did bend the right hand bar back to my knee on the first lane of the day on the 690/so I was a bit compromised.
The seat is all day trail riding comfy compared to enduro bikes but I wouldn’t want to do 250 motorway miles on it. It is still quite high, even though the bike looks lower than an enduro.

My 690 now has Mitas E07 tyres and makes a brilliant back road bike and the Husky can do the trails.
I am the useless exception to those who can actually ride though.

I understand 2014 or later are the 690s to go for. I love mine - great fun.

[Helicoptermanr22]

Thanks for the ideas n stuff. Ive heard mixed reliability reviews on the 690 but can only assume all good.
What are the Yam TTR 600 versions like. ? Is it XT600e territory?