Bought a bad bike, would appreciate some alternatives
Discussion
I bought a Husqvarna 701 supermoto for a bit back road and dirt road fun, but I’m not really enjoying it.
It’s too road-oriented for any off-road fun with the little wheels, and too much of a dirt bike for fun on the roads.
It’s a bit disappointing really, and I was a bit stupid to think it’d be like a lighter, more fun adventure bike, but here we are.
My main bike is an R1209GS, and I fancied taking a step less sensible and more fun, but got it wrong.
So, what to try instead?
The first three options that come to mind are strangely all Ducatis.
Multistrada
Hypermotard
DesertX.
Any thought on these or other options would be welcomed.
It’ll live in Newcastle to be used on high days and holidays.
It’s too road-oriented for any off-road fun with the little wheels, and too much of a dirt bike for fun on the roads.
It’s a bit disappointing really, and I was a bit stupid to think it’d be like a lighter, more fun adventure bike, but here we are.
My main bike is an R1209GS, and I fancied taking a step less sensible and more fun, but got it wrong.
So, what to try instead?
The first three options that come to mind are strangely all Ducatis.
Multistrada
Hypermotard
DesertX.
Any thought on these or other options would be welcomed.
It’ll live in Newcastle to be used on high days and holidays.
gareth_r said:
Replacement for the BMW, or an addition to the stable?
In addition. Something to have some fun on and conceivably venture a little bit off-road.A BMW-lite, a bit more frisky and silly, that just makes me smile a bit.
I’ve a Range Rover and a GR Yaris. If my BMW is the bike version of the RR I’m looking for the same read-across from the Yaris.
If you're used to the big GS then moving to a 701 is going to be a bit of a shock and it will feel like a rough and unsophisticated animal. The truth is you jumped right in at the performance end of what available so it’s not designed to look after you like the GS, it’s designed to be ridden hard. If you’re using it at less than eight tenths then I’m not surprised you're not enjoying it.
Sounds like you might be looking for a smaller ADV bike like a T7 or Transalp if you want that on and off road capability.
I own a Deset X and a couple of SM’s (large and small). The large SM I’d never dream of taking off road but the DX and small SM are perfect for it . If you don't need to have 70HP I’d recommend you try a smaller SM first and save about £10k, you’ll have just as much fun and probably more if you end up dropping it.
Sounds like you might be looking for a smaller ADV bike like a T7 or Transalp if you want that on and off road capability.
I own a Deset X and a couple of SM’s (large and small). The large SM I’d never dream of taking off road but the DX and small SM are perfect for it . If you don't need to have 70HP I’d recommend you try a smaller SM first and save about £10k, you’ll have just as much fun and probably more if you end up dropping it.
I have a 701 Enduro and haven't really gelled with it yet - I'm hoping more seat time will do it, I find it too similar - but inferior - to my 450
I find my 950 / 990 SM great fun on back roads as you're a Ducati fan you might want to look at the Desert Sled or if it's too close to your GS maybe a Caballero Rally 500 or 700
I find my 950 / 990 SM great fun on back roads as you're a Ducati fan you might want to look at the Desert Sled or if it's too close to your GS maybe a Caballero Rally 500 or 700
I'll admit that I don't ride green lanes, but I know how heavy 220kgs or more is, and I know the UK weather, and I know why adventure bike launches take place in Spain. 
Are people really suggesting trail riding on tall, heavy, expensive ADV bikes when you'd be falling off in conditions like this rather than looking cool sliding around on a gravel road?
Are people really suggesting trail riding on tall, heavy, expensive ADV bikes when you'd be falling off in conditions like this rather than looking cool sliding around on a gravel road?
Edited by gareth_r on Friday 9th February 12:33
You certainly have to pick your lanes and times of year carefully to green lane on a big bike in the UK (unless you're a great rider)
Really the 690/701 is the answer IMO it's just they aren't as nice to ride to the lanes so we have all the middleweight twins but having bought a 990 Adv I couldn't ride it on the majority of UK lanes
But if you pick your lanes (easier said than done) I've ridden to Wales on my 990SM and then pottered around a few, trying not to dink the alloy rims and ridden back
I'm looking at fitting 19" x 17" spoked wheels to make a cheap "super enduro" because after riding the Adventure the SM felt like an MX bike in comparison despite being very similar in theory
Really the 690/701 is the answer IMO it's just they aren't as nice to ride to the lanes so we have all the middleweight twins but having bought a 990 Adv I couldn't ride it on the majority of UK lanes
But if you pick your lanes (easier said than done) I've ridden to Wales on my 990SM and then pottered around a few, trying not to dink the alloy rims and ridden back
I'm looking at fitting 19" x 17" spoked wheels to make a cheap "super enduro" because after riding the Adventure the SM felt like an MX bike in comparison despite being very similar in theory
Ken_Code said:
I bought a Husqvarna 701 supermoto for a bit back road and dirt road fun, but I’m not really enjoying it.
It’s too road-oriented for any off-road fun with the little wheels, and too much of a dirt bike for fun on the roads.
It’s a bit disappointing really, and I was a bit stupid to think it’d be like a lighter, more fun adventure bike, but here we are.
My main bike is an R1209GS, and I fancied taking a step less sensible and more fun, but got it wrong.
So, what to try instead?
The first three options that come to mind are strangely all Ducatis.
Multistrada
Hypermotard
DesertX.
Any thought on these or other options would be welcomed.
It’ll live in Newcastle to be used on high days and holidays.
Where abouts are have you ridden it?It’s too road-oriented for any off-road fun with the little wheels, and too much of a dirt bike for fun on the roads.
It’s a bit disappointing really, and I was a bit stupid to think it’d be like a lighter, more fun adventure bike, but here we are.
My main bike is an R1209GS, and I fancied taking a step less sensible and more fun, but got it wrong.
So, what to try instead?
The first three options that come to mind are strangely all Ducatis.
Multistrada
Hypermotard
DesertX.
Any thought on these or other options would be welcomed.
It’ll live in Newcastle to be used on high days and holidays.
I’m based in the Newcastle area and have been looking at those 701’s and the new Ducati 698 supermono thingy to go alongside my current V4 Tuono.
There’s some cracking roads around here that would suit the 701 down to the ground.
Did you buy it from a dealer down in Thirsk by any chance?
ETA.
Not sure if you’re aware already? But it looks like Ducati will be opening up at the BMW site in Boldon this summer.
Edited by airsafari87 on Saturday 10th February 10:57
smifffymoto said:
You either ‘get’ supermoto or you don’t,there is no middle ground.
How about a dedicated enduro bike and something extreme but older.That way you don’t have to compromise.
I’ve owned and enjoyed supermotus before, based on 250cc motocross bikes. The Husqvarna isn’t really that.How about a dedicated enduro bike and something extreme but older.That way you don’t have to compromise.
airsafari87 said:
Where abouts are have you ridden it?
I’m based in the Newcastle area and have been looking at those 701’s and the new Ducati 698 supermono thingy to go alongside my current V4 Tuono.
There’s some cracking roads around here that would suit the 701 down to the ground.
Did you buy it from a dealer down in Thirsk by any chance?
ETA.
Not sure if you’re aware already? But it looks like Ducati will be opening up at the BMW site in Boldon this summer.
I’ve been up over Hartsudecand round the Tyne valley a bit, and then up Otterburn and round Kielder.I’m based in the Newcastle area and have been looking at those 701’s and the new Ducati 698 supermono thingy to go alongside my current V4 Tuono.
There’s some cracking roads around here that would suit the 701 down to the ground.
Did you buy it from a dealer down in Thirsk by any chance?
ETA.
Not sure if you’re aware already? But it looks like Ducati will be opening up at the BMW site in Boldon this summer.
Edited by airsafari87 on Saturday 10th February 10:57
I’ve only done 1,000 miles on it, it’s a rare day when I wake up and fancy taking it out.
I loved the proper endure bikes I’ve had, but they all got stolen, all the time. Maybe a 450 4-stroke “rallye” version would be best for me.
I’m also tempted just to buy a new GS and have one at each home.
Rockets7 said:
A decent older DRZ400 will happily fit the gap. Had some fun on them over the years.
I had use of one for a fortnight or so, it belonged to a colleague and I was using it to travel 100 miles a day (Aberdeen to Montrose and back), it was bloody terrible at A road speeds but an absolute riot all the same, good shout!Fond memories of taking the long way home over the Cairn o' Mount etc to avoid the dual carraige way - any excuse! Great bike.
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