Sold the Templar X.. Now What??

tknj99 · 08-14-2023, 05:24 PM

Well its been a busy month, first sold the Brozz and today just sold the Templar X. I originally had planned to keep her long term and then get an ADV to fill in between the DS and my cruiser but my son made a good point that it may be better to sell the X and then get something that can do similar offroad but be better onroad than the X can to fill the gap and just have 2 bikes.. afterall, the one thing that really sucked with the Templar X was that it topped around 65mph corrected and that was no fun, especially being passed by 18-wheelers on 60mph roads.
So I agreed and listened to a 16 year old's advice. I listed the bike this past Friday for a whopping $2750.. i know, a pie in the sky figure but what the hay, i was in no rush.. i knew i'd never get even close to that, but didn't mind seeing what may come..
Well after 100+ views i got the first bite yesterday, an offer of $2k flat and i negotiated down to $2500! Wait, what!! Yea, can you believe it, i actually made a couple hundred after 1 year of ownership and 2k miles. Good times!

So now im on the hunt.. i want a bike that can do everything the X could do but be comfortable doing 75mph without breaking a sweat AND not break the bank, trying to stay under 5k. On my short list.. KLR650, KLX300, Vstrom 650, Duke 390..

Any and all suggestions are welcome.. damn, wish that next gen Templar was here now with a 300cc engine, it would be first in my list as i've had a fun time the last 3 years with these China Bikes.. but it looks like i'll be going mainstream for awhile as will my son, but i'll still be lurking around here.. it's been fun and i've learned a bunch! thanks for being an awesome forum and brotherhood!

Bill Hilly · 08-14-2023, 05:35 PM

I say either a Jet Pack, or a Hovercraft, or maybe a Segway scooter.

tknj99 · 08-14-2023, 05:40 PM

My buddy is selling his silly fast Beta 390 and going to get a Husq 701 that he says is even sillier fast, now that probably would qualify in the jet pack category!

TominMO · 08-14-2023, 06:05 PM

You might try to nose around and see if Lifan or some other high-end Chinese brand is putting out a 300cc dualsport for 2024.

XLsior · 08-14-2023, 06:36 PM

Sounds to me you're on the path towards a DRZ400 or DR650.

The KLX300 and CRF300 are not much of leg up.

Vstrom/CBX will make the highway more comfortable but you will sacrifice off road capability.

KLR is great if you don't mind the power to weight...

Euro badges and pumpkins cross a price to performance zone which doesn't always equate reliability.

tknj99 · 08-14-2023, 08:08 PM

Great points! I'll add the DR's to my search criteria for sure.. yea that's the worry with the KLR as well, too heavy and lacking power

Sport Rider · 08-15-2023, 08:27 AM

What I found after turning loose of the hawk and buying the KLR is that the 650 is exactly what I had hoped the Hawk would be. I would highly recommend the largest motor up to that size which you can afford. I bought a 2001 model and you can get them for less than a new Hawk if you search. for a bit more, you can move up the age range depending on your budget. I've seen some of the Gen 2's (2008 and up) going for less than 3 grand. again...patience and searching.

HOWEVER....I've seen lots of positive talk about Suzuki's DR650 as well. it's very dependent on what your interests are. The DR is lighter and better off-road. The KLR is better on-road. I saw someone post that the DR sweet spot is 50/50 riding. the KLR sweet spot is 75/25.

Either of these bikes are rock solid and will do what you want. mine has 43k miles and running just fine for me. Yeah...a little TLC attention, but nothing we're not familiar with having owned chinese bikes. Either of them, with gearing changes can go either direction as well. 16 tooth on the front, better for highway. 15 is stock. 14 on the front and it's a force for off-road riding. geared low enough to climb a tree.

food for thought!

Sport Rider · 08-15-2023, 08:45 AM

BTW....people talk a lot about the KLR being heavy. I think the newer ones are. Gen 3's are a significant step toward ADV rather than dual sport. I find my Gen 1 to be just fine. I've had a couple dirt naps already and had no problems picking it up. On the trail it seems nimble enough for what I want to do. of course, my intentions are not pure enduro trail riding. more two-track and gravel type stuff.

Upgrading suspension made a huge difference for me. I went progressive in the rear. loving it. With what I paid for the bike and what I've done to it, I have less than 3 grand in it at this point. I'm ready for my first actual adventure trip on it.

tknj99 · 08-17-2023, 12:50 PM

So.. go big or go home, right?

A 2019 Beta 430 RR-S 3k miles.. for a sweetheart of a deal.. will also be purchaing my buddies 2019 390 RRS for my son (similar super deal)

XLsior · 08-17-2023, 07:28 PM

No experience with Beta, but I read good things about them. The 430 is the long stroke motor correct? if the price is fair then sure why not.

tknj99 · 08-17-2023, 07:44 PM

Yea, long stroke, silly power, front wheel up on demand and top notch bits all around..
$5700 for the 430RRS and $5500 for the 390RRS (both 2019).. this being both 12k bikes otd..

08-14-2023, 05:24 PM	#1
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,256	Sold the Templar X.. Now What?? Well its been a busy month, first sold the Brozz and today just sold the Templar X. I originally had planned to keep her long term and then get an ADV to fill in between the DS and my cruiser but my son made a good point that it may be better to sell the X and then get something that can do similar offroad but be better onroad than the X can to fill the gap and just have 2 bikes.. afterall, the one thing that really sucked with the Templar X was that it topped around 65mph corrected and that was no fun, especially being passed by 18-wheelers on 60mph roads. So I agreed and listened to a 16 year old's advice. I listed the bike this past Friday for a whopping $2750.. i know, a pie in the sky figure but what the hay, i was in no rush.. i knew i'd never get even close to that, but didn't mind seeing what may come.. Well after 100+ views i got the first bite yesterday, an offer of $2k flat and i negotiated down to $2500! Wait, what!! Yea, can you believe it, i actually made a couple hundred after 1 year of ownership and 2k miles. Good times! So now im on the hunt.. i want a bike that can do everything the X could do but be comfortable doing 75mph without breaking a sweat AND not break the bank, trying to stay under 5k. On my short list.. KLR650, KLX300, Vstrom 650, Duke 390.. Any and all suggestions are welcome.. damn, wish that next gen Templar was here now with a 300cc engine, it would be first in my list as i've had a fun time the last 3 years with these China Bikes.. but it looks like i'll be going mainstream for awhile as will my son, but i'll still be lurking around here.. it's been fun and i've learned a bunch! thanks for being an awesome forum and brotherhood! __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2017 Honda Fury Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	0

08-14-2023, 05:40 PM	#3
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,256	My buddy is selling his silly fast Beta 390 and going to get a Husq 701 that he says is even sillier fast, now that probably would qualify in the jet pack category! __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2017 Honda Fury Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	1

08-14-2023, 06:05 PM	#4
TominMO Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: De Soto, MO Posts: 1,870	You might try to nose around and see if Lifan or some other high-end Chinese brand is putting out a 300cc dualsport for 2024. __________________ 2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself
	0

08-14-2023, 08:08 PM	#6
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,256	Great points! I'll add the DR's to my search criteria for sure.. yea that's the worry with the KLR as well, too heavy and lacking power __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2017 Honda Fury Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	0

08-15-2023, 08:27 AM	#7
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,038	What I found after turning loose of the hawk and buying the KLR is that the 650 is exactly what I had hoped the Hawk would be. I would highly recommend the largest motor up to that size which you can afford. I bought a 2001 model and you can get them for less than a new Hawk if you search. for a bit more, you can move up the age range depending on your budget. I've seen some of the Gen 2's (2008 and up) going for less than 3 grand. again...patience and searching. HOWEVER....I've seen lots of positive talk about Suzuki's DR650 as well. it's very dependent on what your interests are. The DR is lighter and better off-road. The KLR is better on-road. I saw someone post that the DR sweet spot is 50/50 riding. the KLR sweet spot is 75/25. Either of these bikes are rock solid and will do what you want. mine has 43k miles and running just fine for me. Yeah...a little TLC attention, but nothing we're not familiar with having owned chinese bikes. Either of them, with gearing changes can go either direction as well. 16 tooth on the front, better for highway. 15 is stock. 14 on the front and it's a force for off-road riding. geared low enough to climb a tree. food for thought! __________________ Dave Bikes I've owned: Suzuki GS450T, Yamaha XS500, Honda V45 Sabre, Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic (2), Suzuki VX800, Kawasaki Ninja 650, Triumph TT600, Honda Superhawk, Kawasaki Concours 1000 (3, including a sidecar rig), Buell XB9R, Kawasaki Nomad 1500, Concours 14, Honda Goldwing (2), Housen Hawk, Suzuki Intruder 1400, Kawasaki KLR650, Victory V92TC.
	3

08-14-2023, 05:35 PM	#2
Bill Hilly Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 931	I say either a Jet Pack, or a Hovercraft, or maybe a Segway scooter.
	1

08-14-2023, 06:36 PM	#5
XLsior Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Australia Posts: 1,283	Sounds to me you're on the path towards a DRZ400 or DR650. The KLX300 and CRF300 are not much of leg up. Vstrom/CBX will make the highway more comfortable but you will sacrifice off road capability. KLR is great if you don't mind the power to weight... Euro badges and pumpkins cross a price to performance zone which doesn't always equate reliability.
	1

08-15-2023, 08:45 AM	#8
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,038	BTW....people talk a lot about the KLR being heavy. I think the newer ones are. Gen 3's are a significant step toward ADV rather than dual sport. I find my Gen 1 to be just fine. I've had a couple dirt naps already and had no problems picking it up. On the trail it seems nimble enough for what I want to do. of course, my intentions are not pure enduro trail riding. more two-track and gravel type stuff. Upgrading suspension made a huge difference for me. I went progressive in the rear. loving it. With what I paid for the bike and what I've done to it, I have less than 3 grand in it at this point. I'm ready for my first actual adventure trip on it. __________________ Dave Bikes I've owned: Suzuki GS450T, Yamaha XS500, Honda V45 Sabre, Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic (2), Suzuki VX800, Kawasaki Ninja 650, Triumph TT600, Honda Superhawk, Kawasaki Concours 1000 (3, including a sidecar rig), Buell XB9R, Kawasaki Nomad 1500, Concours 14, Honda Goldwing (2), Housen Hawk, Suzuki Intruder 1400, Kawasaki KLR650, Victory V92TC.
	1

08-17-2023, 12:50 PM	#9
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,256	So.. go big or go home, right? A 2019 Beta 430 RR-S 3k miles.. for a sweetheart of a deal.. will also be purchaing my buddies 2019 390 RRS for my son (similar super deal) __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2017 Honda Fury Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	3

08-17-2023, 07:28 PM	#10
XLsior Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Australia Posts: 1,283	No experience with Beta, but I read good things about them. The 430 is the long stroke motor correct? if the price is fair then sure why not.
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08-17-2023, 07:44 PM	#11
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,256	Yea, long stroke, silly power, front wheel up on demand and top notch bits all around.. $5700 for the 430RRS and $5500 for the 390RRS (both 2019).. this being both 12k bikes otd.. __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2017 Honda Fury Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X Last edited by tknj99; 08-18-2023 at 10:01 AM.
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