Just heard the April Cycle World is doing a 3 day ride shoot out between the TR650, KLR, Triumph 800XC, KTM 990 Adventure and Yamaha Super Tenere. they are calling it "Armageddon, what would you ride to the end of the world?" I wonder when it will be available? Might have to run to 7-11 at lunch and see if it is already out.
Well we know who pays the biggest money for campaign advertising. So it will be a very interesting articular. Wonder if it was done before or after the "Big Buy"
I'm not sure how they can be compared? There are several obvious differences, and it is not like 'what is the best 450 mx bike' type of article. Perhaps they will concisely spell out the pluses and minuses between them. I don't have any inside information, but my guess would be the article was written months ago.
I can already predict that a carbed bike wins the "Armageddon" category. That's really an unfair categorization to throw some of the more modernized, fuel injected bikes into. They should throw in a DR650 for an Armageddon bike.
Why don't you enterprising people make you own comparison and see how well it matches the Cycle World article.
OK News Flash Shocks all readers of Cycle World 2013 Husqvarna TR 650 wins all in the Armageddon 3 day ride shoot out. Hows that??
What a ridiculous lineup. two lightweight ADVs, one middle weight, one heavy weight and the Super Tanker. Where's the F800GS? (which spanks the 800XC off road) Where's the gold standard R1200GSA? BMW defined the GS category and those bozos didn't even include ONE? ok, I know the Husky is sorta bmw, but still...
The KLR will win. Stoneage simple, it can be fixed with duct tape, baling wire and bubble gum. I've owned every bike on the list except the KTM and have to say I would take my KLR as the Armageddon bike. Mark
I really, really hate to say this....but Wolftrax and blaine.hale are kind of right. KLR's are bulletproof, simple and carbureted. It will probably win, mainly because its the underdog of the shoot out and they will use these very reasons for an excuse. But, in the last heated battle of good and evil, other things are going to come into play long before any fuel or electronic issue. Flat tires, broken rims, bent forks, and the likes will be the real problems in this brutal battle. Fast, tough, and agile bikes will be carrying the survivors before judgment day.....The KTM should be the winner. It fits fast and tough very well right out of the box. Who would really ride a motorcycle in Armageddon anyway?
Depends on the scale of Armageddon? Localized bad things happen all the time. And yes for some of them I would ride - possibly my TE250 instead of my TR650 - depends on the situation.
They all lose! There won't be any gasoline available to Citizen Kane during Armageddon. The bicycle wins.....better keep one on deck. HF
Based on sheer numbers alone would tell you the KLR's would have a fighting chance. They're a lot of them out there. And they seem virtual bullet proof. Like Blaine said why didn't the DR650 make the roster.
Like most of these types of comparisons, it's largely down to what bikes the magazine can get their hands on at any given time. Some manufacturers might not supply bikes, even if requested, if they think the bike might not be fairly matched, or it might just be that the magazine only had 5 riders available for the days they were going off to do the matchups. A new bike mag in Australia, launched only this week, had a very odd comparison, matching up a DL650 against an F800GS against a Triump Tiger 1050. None of these bikes are even in the same "class".
That sure is interesting... and yes I would pick a carb vs efi if it truly was the apocalypse... Jimmy sure loves those ktms... but..
KTM 990's in Aussie are circa 22K on the road. Given the Aud equals 1.04 USD at present that is outrageous. The Terra is $9,995 on the road here, stock.
You asked for that - you got it - comparison with KLR... June'13 issue of Motorcyclist. http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/c..._kawasaki_klr650_ktm690_enduro_r/viewall.html
