With less than a month to go before they pack things up for my move to Belgium, I am having to think about putting my motorbike up for sale soon, and immediately my thoughts are ‘How am I going to get around Europe anyways?’. One could easily get by with public transportation there, but my wife and I like to be a bit off the beaten path. My dream trip there is to take a road trip to Turkey or Morocco. In theory, I could get there on any motorcycle, so my requirements are simple. It must be decent at two-up riding on dirt roads, include ABS brakes, and be available used for under $10000 / 8000€. Three motorcycles of varying levels of practicality have come to mind.
KTM 990 Adventure
Cost: 7500€ (Used)
Overview: The Austrian Mistress. Great on the road, great on the dirt
Miles per Gallon / Horsepower: 35mpg / 98hp
Maintenance Schedule (Oil Change): 4000mi
Pro’s: It can handle any road I throw it at, great suspension and ground clearance, tons of fun. Instant cred.
Cons: Natchy fuel injection, reliability may be a concern. Ugly.
Suzuki V-Strom DL650
Cost: 6000€ (Used)
Overview: The Toyota Camry of Motorcycles. Great on the road, not so great in the dirt
Miles per Gallon / Horsepower: 48mpg / 64hp
Maintenance Schedule (Oil Change): 3500mi
Pro’s: One of the best road touring bikes. Great two-up, comfortable, just enough power.
Con’s: Sucks offroad
BMW F800GS
Cost: 8000€ (Used)
Overview: The new kid on the block
Miles per Gallon / Horsepower: 50mpg / 85hp
Maintenance Schedule (Oil Change): 6000mi
Pro’s: Low maintenance schedule, good mileage, great handling, good all around bike
Con’s: Pricier than the other options, same brand as I already have
In Summary
My heart says KTM 990, my brain says V-Strom 650. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the EFI on the 990 when I test rode it, but I am afraid of being bored to death with the V-Strom. It sounds like I really need to test ride the V-Strom and F800GS, especially with my wife on the back. While I am a huge fan of the Tiger 1050, I’m afraid I won’t be comfortable with it on dirt roads. The Yamaha TDM900A is also under consideration, but it doesn’t seem any better than the V-Strom.
So.. heart or brain? 
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