Right guys and gals

As some of you may know i use to have an XTR for about 4 years, ive now had a Triumph Tiger 1050 for about a year and although i havent been able to use it as much as im at work now and ive a work van and only really get to use the bike at the weekends i still put a good 6-7k miles on the tiger this year. Now dont get me wrong it is a cracker bike and i love the way it handles, has the power, torque etc but i still yearn for the off roading feeling/being able to off road properly, that and i dont ever feel like im using the tiger properly (i still ride it like a motocross bike, short shifting, elbows out and i even stand up on the pegs ever now an then to car drivers funny looks).

As im now in Glasgow, Scotland i have plenty of mountains etc for that off roading experience but the Tiger is just not really the bike for it (even though ive tried off roading on it and was a good success at it).

So whats all this drivel about..... Well what im wanting to do is get a wee ride out with someone from the Glasgow/Scotland area at a weekend on the basis that i could "aquire" there beloved Tenere for an hour or so (yes ive insurance to cover me third party only) just so i can get a feel of what they are like compared to the likes the other bikes im thinking of which are

XTR (use to own one so know what it feels like)
V strom 650 (both older version and newer version, test ridden both)
XTX (with the idea of getting off road wheels for it still searching on this idea as there seems to be more X's than R's about. Havent test ride but pretty much same as R)
Versys (i know not really an off roader but if i can get a Tiger to where i was a Versys will be a piece of cake. Test ridden old version and was like riding a washing machine on full spin, newer version 100% better only test road one with 33bhp restrictor on!!!)

Hit me back or suggest other bikes/options to me (looking at the 600cc range as i really dont need 1000cc power/torque as i ride solo 99.99% of the time)

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Plough on

What a plank!

Why didn't you say something at the Lakes doo?

You could have had a go on mine with pleasure, or was it the wrong colour?

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If I'm not working, I'll be

KTM 950 or 690 enduro, dont bother with the 990 as they have fuel injection issues . More about fun per gallon not miles per gallon and the ktm kicks everything else out of the water

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OFFICIAL CRASH TEST DUMMY

If you are up this way you are welcome to have a shot on my ten - long way for a test ride tho!

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Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big an wear glasses if you need em.

SteveD- i was thinking about it but im looking at trying someones bike which has had that many mods done to it yet so i get a feeling of what a standard bike is like (would be looking at fitting cans/can, stg2 air filter for performance mods the rest would be cosmetic type). I know i really should have shouted but now give me an excuse to get out and about!!!!

Jasxt- ive looked into the Ktm 690 and it is nice, but i still want something i could do a far bit of milage on and i did sit on one in a show room once for all of about 5 mins until i had to pull the seat from my rear . 950 would love to but license looser for me (ive a heavy right hand and PC plod would like that combo as they are not liking it on the tiger 1050 now as well!!!)

Fiddich- this is scary i just looked at google maps 2 secs ago before i looked at this post to see where you lived and thought, ah 4 hrs to aberdeen on the bike after work on friday, meet fiddich on sat and get a go on a ten, then ride home via twistys to glasgow on sunday!!! And no its not a long distance for a test ride its an adventure to see a friend

I might take you up on that offer. Hows the foot going anyway? What are you like for Sat July 28th? (ive quiet alot on between now and then with knockhill BSB, weekends in scotland on bike if weathers good and italy for two weeks ) Any good but cheap places to stay in Aberdeen part from the standard Travel Lodge/Preimer Inn?

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Plough on

Fiddich- What mods has your bike got?

I think from the Lakes meet i seen you had a 2 into 1 MTC can, Stg 2 air filter, metal top box......... not sure now what else

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Plough on

Ohoooooo..... Sounds like the beginnings of a ride out. I could be up for that.

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>-------<

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Especially when viewed from your rear view mirror......

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>-------<

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

But that was the ****e 990 fuel injection one, the 950 has the carb so it is much better

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OFFICIAL CRASH TEST DUMMY

Not to put KTM down but a guy a use to work with use to have one of the 950 adventurers, as he said fantastic bike, crap dealer back up (espically in Northern Ireland as dealers had changed hands and pretty much no one over there for a while apart from off road guys who havent a clue what an adventurer is) and quiet a few issues with seals in the engine leaking, carbs playing up and jetting fuel onto his leg and near catching fire etc (he had it from new, about 6 years old then and 25k miles)

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Plough on