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What Thumper???
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 5:35 pm
by Cossackmannie
I'm looking at treating myself to a newish bike soon. I like my DR600 but my right knee isn't getting any better and, as the DR is kick only, it's getting to be a bit of a chore starting her up. An electric starter is needed!
I've been looking at large 4 stroke singles under the £4000 mark and have narrowed it down to two so far but thought I'd throw this open to you guys as the collective experiences on here may throw up something I hadn't considered.
I'm currently liking the Yamaha MT-03 and the Honda FMX650.
Your thoughts please
Cheers
Ian
Re: What Thumper???
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 7:05 pm
by Bubba13t
You not fancy the DR's big bro, 750 or 800 versions have leccy boot and look kinda cool, much below budget too
Re: What Thumper???
Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 7:19 pm
by Cossackmannie
I did think about the DR750/800 but wanted something a newer. Also, I didn't consider the DR650 as it didn't float my boat when I tried one a few years back.
Re: What Thumper???
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 12:28 am
by Yarek
Saw a used MT-03 in Ecosse today. Not seen one in the flesh before.
Re: What Thumper???
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 6:30 am
by Gazza
Re: What Thumper???
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 9:27 am
by Cossackmannie
Cheers for that guys.
The Ktm 390 is now on my test ride list.
Re: What Thumper???
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 10:43 am
by Zathos
I used to have an FMX650, great laugh and very easy to ride.
Back to the old days of carbs and the added benefit of Monster backfires when 'accidently' activating the kill switch while riding.
Re: What Thumper???
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 12:42 pm
by al
The MT-03 is an underrated bike IMHO. It shares the same engine as the XT660X/R/Z bikes in the Yamaha range.
It craps all over the FMX650 (I've owned one FMX and two Yamaha 660's and had an MT-03 on long term loan from Ecosse when my TT600 was sick).
Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian).
Re: What Thumper???
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 6:12 pm
by Cossackmannie
Just been reading reviews of the MT-03. A few not so serious recalls but, overall, seems to be highly regarded by majority of owners.
Now, to confuse matters a wee bit, after chatting to an ER-6 Versys riding chap at work today, I'm also now perusing the market to evaluate both the ER-6 range and the MT-03!!
You'd think choosing a bike would be easy after all these years!!
Re: What Thumper???
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:46 pm
by al
Cossackmannie wrote:Just been reading reviews of the MT-03. A few not so serious recalls but, overall, seems to be highly regarded by majority of owners.
Now, to confuse matters a wee bit, after chatting to an ER-6 Versys riding chap at work today, I'm also now perusing the market to evaluate both the ER-6 range and the MT-03!!
You'd think choosing a bike would be easy after all these years!!
Being a current Versys owner I can confirm that the parallell twin of the Kawasaki easily has the legs over the 660 single and is much happier at higher speeds. It doesn't quite have the character of the 660 single at low revs though.
Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian).