MZ Black Panther VS the other 650 Adventure Bikes

[Daris Pakar]

Anybody have any comparison notes between the Black Panther
and any of the following ?

BMW F650
Aprila Pegaso
Honda XR 650
Kawasaki KLR 650
KTM Adventure 640
Yahmaha XT 650
Suzuki VStrom
Honda TransAlp
Other

[phlat65]

well, i would say it has better suspension tan all those bikes except the KTM, for off road use.

I had a Yamaha XT600 before my MZ, and there is NO comparison.

with a comfortable seat made, the MZ would be my top choice, I am still not sure about KTM's Reliability..

but it really depends on the type of riding you do. 99% highway, the BMW or aprilia, or V-strom would be better. lots of single track, the KTM might be tops.

my opinion!

[Islander]

I have had the KLR650, XR650L and the Suzuki DR650 and DRZ400.
The KLR is set up more for the road. It feels heavy and sluggish. The suspension is not for heavy off road use. However, the engine is realiable and unchanged for several years and the bike is comfortable.
The XR has a notable change in power from the KLR. The bike is essentially an off road 650 with directionals and speedo. Air cooled torquey engine. Ride is comfortable and high.
The DR650, good engine, comfortable ride. Seems to be, out of the box, the closest to a 50/50 split for on and off road, as long as your not hard core off road. DRZ400 is another off roader with lights and has a narrow seat. The bike is light and the front end tends to float at around 60 MPH.
The MZ is a good well rounded bike. Good power, good ride, can take it off road without a problem, just wish the seat was a little more comfortable. Probably the heaviest but the best ride on highway over 60.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

BMW F650
Aprila Pegaso
Honda XR 650
Kawasaki KLR 650
KTM Adventure 640
Yahmaha XT 650
Suzuki VStrom
Honda TransAlp


i have a MZ RT 125 and a 1995 SAXON TOUR and
would NOT Trade either for any of the above listed
bikes
most of them are too tall in the seat for most riders
i road a f650cs about 300 miles and no way do i want one

[baggyboy]

I've not had much time with any of them.
KLR650..Gutless,soft suspenders,handles ok.
Aprilia Pegaso650..Heavy,nice low down power,not as good handling as the KLR but a lot quicker.
MZ 660..In between the two

[DEmark]

Which bike is best depends on what you are going to do with it. For my purposes (long distance traveling) the Baghira is best, The KLR needs the cam chain mechanism replaced with an after market jobbie before it can be trusted far from home. The KTM has numerous reliability problems. The BMW has some known problems too. The XRL650 is prone to the countershaft stripping and the valve seats dropping out, its not a high mileage motor. I can't comment on the rest, the xr650r has intrigued me, has anyone seen one of these with high mileage?

I have a Russel day long saddle on my Baghira which has solved the seat problem. I do wish it had a larger gastank, but I haven't found myself on the side of the road out of gas, so I guess the situation isn't that bad,,,,.

[Whysub]

Depends what use you want out of them rewally, so here are my opinions

I had an XR650R supermoto (of course!!) which i loved but it was not a practical everyday bike (oil changes every 500 miles, tappets checket every 1,000 and so on). Clutch bearings and the gearbox output seal should be done by Honda (here in the UK that is) if the bike is pre 2001. Reliability is good, mine did 8,000kms in my hands before being sold on (then stolen), and the motor strong. Just fit an electric fan to the rad though-they can run hot. And if used on road only, get the suspension dropped 25-30mm, as it makes one hell of a difference to handling and also rear tyre wear (really). There are numerous high mileage XR650R's around, but it's not the mileage that does for them, its the type of use they get. Thrash one from cold and it will not last long. Warm them up gently for a few miles, and they will last lots, lots longer.


I rode a BMW650 Dakar for a couple of days off road with BMW. Okay overall, low seat height (compared to the MZ and the Honda at least), but felt very soft engine wise. A couple of blokes at work have them to commute on, but they are always interested in the Baggi. But the BMW does not float my boat.

The KTM's i have ridden are fine (in LC4 engined guise), but a bit vibey and mechanically sometimes unreliable-but they do go well and spares are not extortianate when needed. Ditto Husabergs (not that you asked!)-great power to weight, but can be unreliable, whereas others go with no troubles whatsoever (why is that?).

Not ridden a Transalp except for a test ride in the early 90's-I recall it being heavy and gutless. Same goers for the KLRand XT600-ridden neither. My old XT500 was a pig to start, hot or cold, but I regret selling it, as it had a soul. An R soul.

Needless to say, the MZ's my favourite, as it is great on road, mechanically simple and well proven, can criuse at 90+ all day. Plus after a 300 mile ride, I can still walk normally!

Anyone want a cheap CBR600 and/or CB750?-neither have been used for ages and are cluttering up my garage!![/i]

[DAVID THOMPSON]

after a 300 mile ride, I can still walk normally!
this is the rt125

but the saxon tour is a bit hard on you

after 150miles on it your ready for a long lunch break

[Scheffi]

I have had a Honda Transalp between 1995-2000. Very reliable and easy to drive. 50 000 km without problems. High speed-rides (170 km/h) for hours.... no problem. But the bike is boring, the breaks are not really good and the suspension is soft. 2000 the bike has been stolen in England and I bought a Skorpion. 2002 I bought a new Baghira. I have to say, it is the best bike which I ever drove. The bike is not the best for rides with high speeds on the motorway... but I can live with. I love my Baghira and I would never exchange with one of the other bikes.... the Baghira is so versatile. It's not often, that you can find a bike with so much different qualities. Maybe some bikes are better in some points, but all in all the MZ is a very good alternative.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

stolen

i like ATV 's there so busy ...over here stealing them
they leave the street bikes set in the driveway with
every thing still on them

the only thing at risk is an HD motorcycle an atv or a 4wd truck
ar dave

ps dont worry about your Buell Blast guys that steal bikes here
call it a push scooter