>>136568That's one "odd" thing about me... I love getting people into the sport. Same goes for snowmobiling. Truck'd my bike to my parents place one winter (they live in AZ), did some riding out there, as well as screwing around on my parents 6 acres. My dad did a few laps on my bike. Bunch of photos, suggestions about gas mileage and insurance costs, and less than a year later he picked up a KLR 650.
KTM Adventures are -big- bikes. Big size-wise, and heavy. They're tall (especially the S-models), so if you're not at least 34" inseam you're going to have problems putting a foot down to stop. Rode a buddy's '05 950 last year, and I was surprised how capable it was in dirt, but it was still a heavy pig (Pic related). Guy that had the 950 said my 525 felt like a toy, and it was like "cheating" because it took to the trails so nicely.
I'd LOVE to have a 990 Adv .... something I could throw my camera gear and a day or three's worth of camping equipment on, and just disappear for a while. But that bike would be in addition to, not as a replacement for, a smaller bike (like my 525).
KLR's are tough, solid bikes. Do the doohickey and keep on top of minor things, they'll last forever. The 685 kit really smooths out the engine and helps at higher elevations. Couple of aftermarket carb options to help with the throttle response. Retired PD Sgt. in town has a garage full of them, did a 4 or 6 month tour from the states through central and south america and back on his. Biggest issue he had was in Manaus, when someone stole his oil filler cap and ran the engine dry. Spent a couple of weeks in Manaus, waiting for his wife to ship him the engine out of her bike and get his running again.
Don't know much about the Tigers, but I've heard they're not as great off-road, and more of an adventure-touring bike than an offroad bike.
