Adventure/Motard Tourers, best in US for 2010

[Rincewind]

Which do you think are the top two best adventure or motard-style tourers for 2010?  Feel free to post lots of pics to support claims or opinions.  It doesn't have to be the bike that would do best in the most extreme conditions, unless that is usual for you.  If all if these bikes were lined up, and you were going on a 1000+ mile tour, which two keys would you want for you and your riding bud?

[R Doug]

This has become my most favorite type of motorcycle.  I've spent a lot of time over the past 18 months researching these toys.  

I love the versatility of the Adventure as my first choice and it would be between the new Multi and the SM-T as my second.  I would really like to test ride both,  but chose the SM-T for price.  I could change my mind later.  My guess is the SM-T will cost at least $3,000 to $3,500 less than the touring Multi.  Of course, once you purchase hard luggage for the SM-T, the price difference would be ~ $1,500 - $1,700.  

I really liked the Uly XT and would have really LOVED to see a liquid-cooled version.  *sigh*  


PS... if this were for the best for the money, one of the Stroms should win, hands down.  

[evilted]

Ducati MTS1200.  Cuz I wants one!

KTM 990 Adventure.  And I wants one of these too!

Honorable Mention:  KTM 990 SM-T (the Duc kind of stole its thunder for me a bit)

[R.Markus]

Picked both KTMs (duh). Long legs, heavy on the Adventure...a little lighter on the tourer. I picked the SM-T only because it shares the same engine as the Adventure...and I didn't see anything else worth while in the poll.

Would have picked the Uly, but the company is gone. My other choice would have been the Ural, but the top speed kind of puts it out of the touring department for me (although I would love to have one).

I have no idea how the KLR got stuck in this poll.

[falconati]

I voted for one of each.  The Guzzi for adventure touring, and the new Duc for hooligan shit - although the KTM was a close second

[Jeremy Z]

For the record, I really wanted to vote for the KLR, but Kawasaki just does not have their act together. (oil burning, bad doohicky spring) I voted V-Strom 650 and Tiger.

Someone's always bitching about folks voting for their own bikes. I'm unbiased.

I probably would have voted Versys instead of Tiger, but Kawasaki's lack of after-sale support and general quality problems have turned me off of this marque for good.

[slowduc]

i voted for the multistroodle and versys:
1) the new duc is cool in an over-teched sort of way, but WAY to expensive for my blood (think of the 4-valve maintenance costs!)
2) versys is what i'm planning to get sometime next year if the budget will allow  

[Rincewind]

I could really see you on a Multistrada 620, slowduc.  I really like the Dark ones.  At least then you wouldn't have to change your user name.  



Probably the best looking Adventure/Motard of all time.  

[slowduc]

I could really see you on a Multistrada 620, slowduc.  I really like the Dark ones.  At least then you wouldn't have to change your user name.  



Probably the best looking Adventure/Motard of all time.  

i've considered that, but i think the step down in power/torque (from the 750cc) would leave me wanting.  i think the versys will do what i want (commuting and the occassional long day ride) nicely and inexpensively, and keep me happy for a while. it seems like a lateral move in power instead of a step down, AND it should get better mileage than my 50+ mpg monster  

my screen name will remain unchanged, so when peeps get all in my face with "yo, why you called 'slowduc' when you got a kawasaki," i can be all "because i AM, BIYOTCH!!!!!"

[Rincewind]

 

Slow-Kwaker

[slowduc]

 

Slow-Kwaker

mmmmmm... kwak

[nater]

Having ridden none of the bikes in the choice with the exception of the KLR (which I think is a bucket of bolts), I voted for the F800GS and the KTM 990 supermoto.  This choice is an educated one (based on my love of reading motorcycle magazines) but has minimal personal experience associated with it.  So, I think we could classify this as educated ignorance--or better known as "a shot in the dark."

[dadsafrantic]

i am sorry to see no offering from aprilia.  such a shame.

[photomd]

If I was going to truely go offroad...and I don't mean a gravel road...I'd get an XR650. I'll do gravel roads on either of the BMW's.

[R Doug]

If I was going to truely go offroad...and I don't mean a gravel road...I'd get an XR650. I'll do gravel roads on either of the BMW's.

Well, there's riding on gravel roads.  Then there's RIDING on gravel roads.  

[Shrike]

Traded the DL650 about 2 months ago. Was a great bike... if a little sterile. Got myself a Stelvio. What a ride!

The wife rides an 07- DL650

Never had any real complaints doing week long tours on the DL's but it was time for something different.

I am loving the Stelvio. I think it's a keeper.  Planning has started on several week plus tours next year!

[Nodaclu]

Voted F800GS and Stelvio - one that is a little more dirt oriented and one that is a little more street oriented.

But after reading Larryboy's thread on ADV about his epic 23 day 6,400 mile ride through the western US and the TAT (with less than 500 total miles on pavement), I would have replaced the GS with a Husqvarna TE610 in a heartbeat if it had been an option.

The abuse that bike took while continuing to soldier on made a believer out of me.  

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=509682&highlight=feel+passion

[photomd]

An oilhead scouting the dove field.