ktm vs. vfr

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by billybigrig, Jul 17, 2008.

  1. billybigrig

    billybigrig New Member

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    Hi all,
    I want to start of my stating I truly enjoy riding my 2001 vfr 800, I am hard pressed to find any faults, but..... I have had a long lasting desire to ride an enduro, and I'm thinking the ktm 690 or some of its predicessors would be alot of fun. I'm wondering if any of my fellow vfrrrrr's out there have or have had an enduro more specifically a ktm, and how it stocks up to the vfr.
    Thanks for your input
    Bill:redface:
     
  2. JTC

    JTC New Member

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    K-ick
    T-hat
    M-otherphuc%er
    nuff said... wait till it goes FI
     
  3. Taz

    Taz New Member

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    :rolleyes: ignore him, most KTM's come with Kick & electric start (even the new 2 strokes) & the new ones "ARE" fuel injected :tongue:

    You need to be a little more specific on what kind of riding :unsure:

    As you can see in my signature (the pic, not the gradule rip on the 6th gen :vader:) I'm racing a street legal KTM 625 Supermoto (has elect start :bootyshake2:) & I have a blast on it around town as well.
    With some mods & different tyres it can be a decent Dual-Sport/Tourer.
    For a Sport tourer, the VFR would be a much better choice, & would reason to own both.

    The 690 is more comfortable on the roads than mine, but I've only riden them on a track.
    Friends do take them on long canyon & road trips (250-400 plus miles)& seem very comfortable doing so that & they enjoy smoking the sport bikes up the canyons & mountains do to the power to weight ratio
    Not to mention they get killer gas milage.

    Dual sports, I'd find a Honda XR650R (race water-cooled model) that has been street converted & licensed & it will out last & power the street KTM 640 - 690's.
    My XR650R is riden hard in the Baja, MX & Cali deserts, as well has been from LA to Fairbanks Alaska in back with no probs. tough, fun reliable bike.
    Only down side (If you call it that) is it's kick start only (kit available for $800.00 to make it Elect Start).
    But it's a 1 or 2 kicker to start anyway's, besides if you can't kick start a bike, you shouldn't be riding one :bootyshake2:. (My daughter starts mine up in one kick).
     
  4. JTC

    JTC New Member

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    Sorry,:redface:
    Taz, is right.:wink: KTM not a bad bike. But, back when I rode one (late '90s) parts were WAY more expensive than Honda parts. That, I assure you was/is my only hang-up with KTMs. I too come from desert racing... CR500 for Hare&Hounds, Hare scrambles, European Scrambles, Grand Prix and XR650 for Enduros. There was a time when I was one of the few guys in the desert taking 90 footers on that heavy thumper. Not only is everybody doing it now, but they are doing heal clickers and supermans etc...:strong:
     
  5. billybigrig

    billybigrig New Member

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    My delema is I really enjoy riding my 01 vfr, all round great bike, but It doesn't sute my lifestyle. I only ride in city down town riding for the most part, and its my commuter to work 10k each way down town and back each day. The drz 400e and bmw DT650 riders at work swear by the enduro for down town in city riding, so I'm not sure what to do. I really enjoy the vfr, but I'm not sure if an enduro is better for my lifestyle.
    Thanks
     
  6. Craig in Alabama

    Craig in Alabama New Member

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    Hi Billybigrig,
    I would suggest getting a slightly used KLR650 (not the '08) for your commuter bike and keeping the VFR if possible. The KLR is the perfect commuter bike and can do dirt roads as well. I did some touring/camping on mine and it was great for that too, but you'll miss that VFR if you get rid of it!
    I moved on to a Buell Ulysses (XB12X) and it's a good commuter bike, too. If that has too much "character" for you, a Triumph Tiger 1050 would also be fun.
    But keep the viffer!
    Craig :smile:
     
  7. billybigrig

    billybigrig New Member

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    I think you might be right craig, there is something timeless about the vfr. I tried to sell it 2 times and just couldn't do it... I backed out. But a second bike may be the way to go, I think a used enduro such as the XR650R or KLR 650 or KTM 640/690 may be the way to go. I'm definately partial to Honda, all our vehicles are honda. Any advice on which enduro's are more reliable.
    Thanks all
     
  8. stellenbrav

    stellenbrav New Member

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    I agree with Craig. I had a KLR650 prior to the VFR and although I would love to have another as a second bike, I sure wouldn't want to give up the viffer to go back to a KLR as a primary ride. While the KLR or any dual-sport would be a very good commuter bike you, I feel you would miss the VFR. The Honda XR is also a very capable dual-sport/commuter but its too tall in the saddle for my 5'9" legs.
     
  9. Craig in Alabama

    Craig in Alabama New Member

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    Billybigrig,
    My KLR (2001) was dead reliable. They've been making them for years and there are a ton of great aftermarket parts available (the Wolfman tankbag rocks!). I never had a problem with mine and it got 53 mpg in town. Plus, thumpers are cool. But eventually I got down to only one bike (KLR) and I really needed a bit more oomph. Hence the Buell.
    But I always regretted selling my '93 VFR. When a '95 showed up in the local paper I had to get it. I think the VFR is a perfect compliment to a dual-sport type bike. I'm keeping this one!
    Craig :smile:
     
  10. Craig in Alabama

    Craig in Alabama New Member

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    And I agree with Stellenbrav!
    Craig :smile:
     
  11. billybigrig

    billybigrig New Member

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    What I like most about my vfr is how diverse it is, I have a full givi touring kit side and rear hard bags, and the tank bag with the stock pipe is great for all day riding, but put on the micro carbon highmount pipe and solo sargent seat and I'm ready to rip up some ashvault. The only thing it won't do is off road, and to be honest I like it to much to do that to it. So I'm left with no choice, another bike it will have to be.
     
  12. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    I love KTM's. I say go for a 950 Super Enduro. My brother bought one about 1.5 years ago now. She is one big bitch, but MAN OH MAN is she a fun bike!

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  13. billybigrig

    billybigrig New Member

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    Derstuka, that looks like so much fun, I love the outdoors and that looks great to me. I've heard from different people who advise different enduro's, but is it mostly which one fits me best, I'm 6' 220lbs. so I think a bigger bike would be better. I rode a buddies DRZ 400e and it was fun, but I felt a bit underpowered. Any enduro advice is welcomed.
    Thanks all.
     
  14. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    What do you want an enduro for? Commuting, for mostly off-road? You are right it is whatever fits you best. A Honda XR600/650 is a tough bargin to beat valuewise. It is a great bike, almost bulletproof, and a blast to ride. Plenty of grunt.

    Whatever you get, you have to keep in mind that it will be no streetbike on the road....I would think of a way of more to "supplement" the viffer with a little brother...in other words.....keep the viffer, and get an enduro.

    Personally, I REALLY want to get an enduro as well. I almost picked up a sweet XR650 before I had my viffer.
     
  15. billybigrig

    billybigrig New Member

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    Hi desterka,
    Your totaly right, I have finally come to that conclusion also, I trided out the drz400e for road riding and couldn't imagine giving up my vfr, but it would make a nice addition. The majority of riding I do is in the city, light to light, but I do get into the bush periotically with a buddies 4 wheeler, I figured an enduro would be more practicle and fun, for some of those activities.
     
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