Hello KTM 790 Adventure R!!

[scutty]

Here's my personal blueprint for a good adventure bike:

1) Definitely less than 160kgs wet weight including a tank of fuel. Preferably nearer 140.

2) That probably means it's a single cylinder, but don't mind a twin.

3) At least 450cc but the bigger the better as long as the above weight limit still applies

4) Quality suspension and ground clearance genuinely capable of tackling 90% of commonly found trails. Off road ability is paramount.

5) Seat height preferably no more than 900mm

6) Able to cruise comfortably on the road at 120kmh returning at least 50mpg - probably 6 gears and obviously fuel injection these days

7) A seat comfortable enough to do a few hours of touring at a time

8) A sub-frame butch enough to take luggage/tent etc

9) Tank range capable of 250kms at least standard, with a longer range tank upgrade cheaply available

10) Tough, reliable and as simple to maintain as reasonably possible, but at the same time modern and really good off-road.


Is this too much to ask??

Yay, I nailed 10/10 :

CRF500L

20171029_121912.png (1.26 MiB) Viewed 2285 times

[Nico-D]

Scutty, that CRF 500 looks great, perfect tool for TET type routes imo. I'd love one but next to impossible to legally register a one-off build here in France, not that I have the skills to build one anyway !

I think you did a Pyrenees trip on it earlier in the year ? I'd like to hear more about your riding impressions of it in real world use.

[daveuprite]

Yay, I nailed 10/10 : CRF500L

Yes, I think you probably have Scutty. Very much admire your handiwork. Ever thought about an 'SP' version, maybe with some WP, Zorks or Ohlins suspension ? That would definitely fit the criteria.

What a shame it takes a private enthusiast to deliver what the factories won't. The crazy thing is they already had most of the answer in their ranges. The DR650 and DRZ400 simply needed updating to meet modern emissions regs. The XT660 just needed to shed some weight and get some better springs. the KLR650 the same. But instead development of those good solid bikes was neglected and the big builders went for fat heavy image bikes.

[Nico-D]

The crazy thing is they already had most of the answer in their ranges. The DR650 and DRZ400 simply needed updating to meet modern emissions regs

Too true but in Australia and the US you can still get these bikes new so there's not much incentive for the manufacturers to develop new engines to meet EU regs just for the relatively small market here in Europe.

Much as some of us might scoff at the ridiculous overweight "Adventure" bikes you can't argue with the fact that they have been a massive sales success for the likes of BMW who are afer all just in the business of making money.

That said I like the sound of this new 790 KTM, in Duke form it's supposed to be around 169 kg dry. http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new- ... m-790-duke

[daveuprite]

Yes the big bikes are popular alright, Nick. See them everywhere. Remember when we parked our dirty little enduros up at a bar next to the N260 in Catalunya and watched endless GS1200s parade by ?

But there still seems like such a gap in the market. The CCM450 looks like the closest recent attempt, and the SWMs are a decent effort I suppose. But if Yamaha or Suzuki would just put some effort in I'm sure they'd be on to a winner.

[scutty]

Yay, I nailed 10/10 : CRF500L

Yes, I think you probably have Scutty. Very much admire your handiwork. Ever thought about an 'SP' version, maybe with some WP, Zorks or Ohlins suspension ? That would definitely fit the criteria.

Ah, the suspension changes are one of the biggest improvements I have made other than the engine - Ohlins shock and RaceTech forks. It's really night/day different from a standard CRF,

[scutty]

Scutty, that CRF 500 looks great, perfect tool for TET type routes imo. I'd love one but next to impossible to legally register a one-off build here in France, not that I have the skills to build one anyway !

I think you did a Pyrenees trip on it earlier in the year ? I'd like to hear more about your riding impressions of it in real world use.

Hey Nico

I have taken the 500 to the Pyrenees twice this year and I am loving it. It is simply really easy to ride, pliable and controlled suspension, great torque and the power is brilliant fun in the dirt and still happy to sit all day at 80mph on the road. I've had an issue with a dodgy regulator and I think the engine needs a little remap (huge changes to exhaust and airbox) but, generally I couldn't be happier unless Honda themselves made it and I didn't need to do all the work!

[daveuprite]

Yay, I nailed 10/10 : CRF500L

Yes, I think you probably have Scutty. Very much admire your handiwork. Ever thought about an 'SP' version, maybe with some WP, Zorks or Ohlins suspension ? That would definitely fit the criteria.

Ah, the suspension changes are one of the biggest improvements I have made other than the engine - Ohlins shock and RaceTech forks. It's really night/day different from a standard CRF,

Sorry - I should have spotted that you'd already done the suspension. Maybe you should patent the bike and then sell the design work to Honda?

[captinktm]

Here's my personal blueprint for a good adventure bike:

1) Definitely less than 160kgs wet weight including a tank of fuel. Preferably nearer 140.

2) That probably means it's a single cylinder, but don't mind a twin.

3) At least 450cc but the bigger the better as long as the above weight limit still applies

4) Quality suspension and ground clearance genuinely capable of tackling 90% of commonly found trails. Off road ability is paramount.

5) Seat height preferably no more than 900mm

6) Able to cruise comfortably on the road at 120kmh returning at least 50mpg - probably 6 gears and obviously fuel injection these days

7) A seat comfortable enough to do a few hours of touring at a time

8) A sub-frame butch enough to take luggage/tent etc

9) Tank range capable of 250kms at least standard, with a longer range tank upgrade cheaply available

10) Tough, reliable and as simple to maintain as reasonably possible, but at the same time modern and really good off-road.


Is this too much to ask??

Yay, I nailed 10/10 :

CRF500L

20171029_121912.png

Interesting, how heavy? and what sort of power and torque are we talking about?

[scutty]

The bike is 158 kg fully fuelled (for about 180-200 miles) and makes 47bhp and 43nm torque (pretty much double that of the CRF250L engine).