Opinions on a Lighter DS BIKE for my Girlfriend

[MissM]

A KTM 640 will put a big grin on her face!

It's light, has a suspension that works, has a tank like a petrol bowser, mine does 440km before going to reserve, it's simple carburation allows it to run on just about any fuel in Africa, and best of all.........IT VIBRATES !!!

Malabu and Lee are your best references, not sure about the other girls that ride them.

But it's ridiculously tall!

I am about this girl's height and weight, and cannot put my feet on the ground with the KTMs. They literally dangle in midair, so stopping would be a bit of an issue.

I learnt to ride on a 650 and don't understand why everyone keeps going on about not learning to ride on something so big.

Ignorance is bliss.

I happily tackle sand, mud and boulders on my 650 and love every second of it.

I can't pick it up, though... Guess that's what the boyfriend is for? 

[Bubby]

A KTM 640 will put a big grin on her face!

It's light, has a suspension that works, has a tank like a petrol bowser, mine does 440km before going to reserve, it's simple carburation allows it to run on just about any fuel in Africa, and best of all.........IT VIBRATES !!!

Malabu and Lee are your best references, not sure about the other girls that ride them.

But it's ridiculously tall!

I am about this girl's height and weight, and cannot put my feet on the ground with the KTMs. They literally dangle in midair, so stopping would be a bit of an issue.

I learnt to ride on a 650 and don't understand why everyone keeps going on about not learning to ride on something so big.

Ignorance is bliss.

I happily tackle sand, mud and boulders on my 650 and love every second of it.

I can't pick it up, though... Guess that's what the boyfriend is for? 

You lower the front suspension by 3cm and apply the lowering links for the rear.
154kg dry weight.
Way to go.

[Firecoast]

A KTM 640 will put a big grin on her face!

It's light, has a suspension that works, has a tank like a petrol bowser, mine does 440km before going to reserve, it's simple carburation allows it to run on just about any fuel in Africa, and best of all.........IT VIBRATES !!!

Malabu and Lee are your best references, not sure about the other girls that ride them.

But it's ridiculously tall!

I am about this girl's height and weight, and cannot put my feet on the ground with the KTMs. They literally dangle in midair, so stopping would be a bit of an issue.

I learnt to ride on a 650 and don't understand why everyone keeps going on about not learning to ride on something so big.

Ignorance is bliss.

I happily tackle sand, mud and boulders on my 650 and love every second of it.

I can't pick it up, though... Guess that's what the boyfriend is for? 

Not that tall... I am 1.64m and even though I can only touch with one toe, the lightness of it makes up for it... even with a full tank.

[Toors]

You missed the Yamaha XT 660 and the Husqvarna 650

Went through this exercise about a year ago - the BMW are just to heavy, take the missus to go and sit and handle the bikes she'll soon tell you...

[wiledog_X]

Suzuki DR650?

agreed.... 

[MissM]

A KTM 640 will put a big grin on her face!

It's light, has a suspension that works, has a tank like a petrol bowser, mine does 440km before going to reserve, it's simple carburation allows it to run on just about any fuel in Africa, and best of all.........IT VIBRATES !!!

Malabu and Lee are your best references, not sure about the other girls that ride them.

But it's ridiculously tall!

I am about this girl's height and weight, and cannot put my feet on the ground with the KTMs. They literally dangle in midair, so stopping would be a bit of an issue.

I learnt to ride on a 650 and don't understand why everyone keeps going on about not learning to ride on something so big.

Ignorance is bliss.

I happily tackle sand, mud and boulders on my 650 and love every second of it.

I can't pick it up, though... Guess that's what the boyfriend is for? 

Not that tall... I am 1.64m and even though I can only touch with one toe, the lightness of it makes up for it... even with a full tank.

Eh each to their own. I suppose it depends what type of riding you are doing.

It does make me realise that my bike is quite light, as it is only about 9kgs heavier!

[Rags]

If there x country where not so cheap I would have got myself a DR650 since I am also a short lighty. But yeah the bike really does take a while to get used to. It will be different for others. Can't say I have done much technical riding with it apart from the odd sand and mud patch. Seems okay on an average dirt road, but had little confidence with the stock tires.

Maybe it can do with a suspension upgrade?

[Adventurer]

XT 660 R.......if the budget can be stretched a bit, XT 660 Z Tenere.....

[BlueSky]

XT 660 R

[alanB]

Have a look at the Husky Terra 650, its quite light, quite powerful with the reliable BM engine 

[Whaleson]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the great feedback! Going to take your suggestions and get some test rides in over the next few weekends

[Whaleson]

Ok, so test drove the following:

1) G650GS
2) KLR650
3) Pegaso

Our opinions from about an hour on each.

1) G650GS. Nee. Not for that price. Its actually not a bad bike at all, Far outclassed by the other bikes BMW makes but...
2) ...2010 Pegaso What a surprise! The was the best of the 3 for what we want to do, rides like an absolute dream, has plenty of low end punch with great handling. Light and agile.
3) KLR. This is a mans bike. My girlfriend hated it. I can see how this could be a great bike if you really want to rough it. Simple, functional but not what we are looking for.

Riding a Dakar tomorrow but I don't expect that her opinion will be swayed.

The Yamaha 660 and its variations share an engine with the Pegaso and I would consider these but they are out of budget.

[Fudmucker]

Consider to Laurika's input - she's had both a vanilla GS and a XT660.
Let her choose whatever bike she likes - after she's ridden them.

[Whaleson]

Consider to Laurika's input - she's had both a vanilla GS and a XT660.
Let her choose whatever bike she likes - after she's ridden them.

That's what we've doing

[laurika]

you can get a XT 660 R (not the XT 660 Z ) for your budget  price, not new, but a two year old, easily...

[Nox]

Een van my pelle wil sy vrou se wild mooi dakr is te koop, ek dink dis 'n 2005.

Hy hetndie bmw boks en tankbag ook, die bike is regtig mooi.

PM my as jy sy details soek en as jy besluit het op 'n bike.

Die dakar's is net baie meer betroubaar en as jy 'n BMW het, sal dit nice wees ook!

[BlueSky]

ek stem saam met laurika. Sy moet defn XT gaan toetsry. Oorweeg een vir my oudste dogter sodra sy moeg raak vir die XR125