Discussion, trade shows, research and a little bit of soul-searching has led me to two choices for a bike that will take me 10000 km round Europe in 2027. One is a Kawasaki and the other is a Suzuki.
My top two choices are: The KLE 500 SE and the Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE.
Number one – my heart says Kawasaki KLE 500 SE
Look at the Kawasaki KLE 500 SE Adventure Tourer. Doesn’t it look fantastic?
I previously threw my legs over the KLE500, and I was impressed at how well it fit me. The Cinderella bike, perhaps. I find myself more and more attracted to it as time goes on.
Price, brand, style. I don’t want tubed tyres but I’m prepared to go with it. If there had been a simple way to order this online, Kawasaki Germany, I would have done it by now.
I can’t say I’m over-impressed with the look of the luggage but a basic SE with the sump guard, engine bars and rack would be a better setup. I intend to use my SW Motech soft luggage supplemented with smaller bags on the engine bars, anyway.
Number two – my head says Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE
The VStrom is a sensible choice. The V-Strom 800RE probably the most sensible of them all but my heart said no to that one, which is why I ended up having a look at a used V-Strom 800DE, which had already done a few hard-core tours.
The DE version of the V-Strom means business and while it’s not highly specified (although, compared to my VFR 800, it is!) that’s what makes it attractive. It’s a sensible choice.
The problem is, it’s a little on the high side. There are solutions for that, not least loading it up with 50 KG of baggage.
But then there’s the price. I’m targetting 10K all-in and it’s tough to find a second-hand example of this V-Strom variant.
It remains, however, the #1 most sensible choice for me today.
Issues remain
Nobody has tested the KLE 500 yet. It’s due in March (which is 5 weeks from when I write this) so marketing has to start very soon. I can order it tomorrow, but it would be risky.
The second issue is team dynamics. The KLE would not only be the rear-runner in an autobahn dash, it would be able to handle light off-roading where at least two of my buddies might not with their 1000cc + choices.
No heated grips, no cruise control – I won’t worry about that. The issue of tubed tyres is of more concern and i’m past worrying about that. I’m touring in Europe, in the spring, for goodness sake!
As for the DR 800DE, height. That’s the only issue I can think of.
Triumph Tiger 900 / GT
One more bike I’ve been impressed with as I’ve been looking around was the Tiger 900 / GT that wasn’t originally on my list. It’s expensive, and complex, but it could be a bike for life. If one of these were to come up in Germany (this one at Orwell Motorcycles in the UK was just perfect) I would be interested.
The ugly ones – XL750, NX500
Honda haven’t done themselves any favours in the looks department with their otherwise good options. The Transalp XL750 is ugly, and there’s a worrying number of these available second-hand. The Honda NX500 / CB 500 X, also quite ugly in my opinion.
