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I was at the NEC for Motorcycle Live this week, and whilst the pages of the motorcycling press are plastered with "Adventure Bikes", it was noticeable that there weren't any big trail bikes at the show. If you want to spend £20k on 125+bhp and 250kg of touring bike on long travel suspension then you've got loads of choice.
But if you want a 600cc-ish bike with a 21" front wheel, less than 180kg, long service intervals and focus on torque rather than power, for a bit of green laning then there's nothing on sale at the moment. The KTM 690 Adv is gone, as is the Yamaha XT660Z and the Suzuki DR650.
You could argue that the new Triumph Tiger 800 XC or new BMW F850 GS fit the bill, but they're around the 200kg mark and festooned with plastic. The 'new' Africa Twin has the right attitude, but seems to be getting more obese each year. The forthcoming Yamaha T7 and KTM 790 Adv might be contenders, but are likely to severely stretch the budget.
There seems to be a hole in the market between real off-road 450cc bikes and faux off-road 800cc bikes, where a £7k down-to-earth 600cc ought to sit. Which is a shame. Or is it just me?
But if you want a 600cc-ish bike with a 21" front wheel, less than 180kg, long service intervals and focus on torque rather than power, for a bit of green laning then there's nothing on sale at the moment. The KTM 690 Adv is gone, as is the Yamaha XT660Z and the Suzuki DR650.
You could argue that the new Triumph Tiger 800 XC or new BMW F850 GS fit the bill, but they're around the 200kg mark and festooned with plastic. The 'new' Africa Twin has the right attitude, but seems to be getting more obese each year. The forthcoming Yamaha T7 and KTM 790 Adv might be contenders, but are likely to severely stretch the budget.
There seems to be a hole in the market between real off-road 450cc bikes and faux off-road 800cc bikes, where a £7k down-to-earth 600cc ought to sit. Which is a shame. Or is it just me?
Its the only big trial bike i'd consider buying at this moment in time
