What Bike for 2 weeks in Alps?

[Jonathan Elliott]

Me and my girlfriend a planning to go 2 up for 2 weeks across Europe and the Alps. I might also use the bike for around London.

We we're planning to buy second hand- £1000-2000 . Thought maybe BMW F650 or Honda FX 650, Transalp or Tenerre.

Any recomendations?

[StrollSouth]

Jonathan,
My wife and I have ridden our fully loaded (about 50 kilos of gear on each) F650´s through the Rocky Mountains and the Andes. I weigh 85 kilos and have never felt that the bikes were under powered. Passing uphill was only marginal when doing more than 120 kph. Don´t know if the EFI helped but at time we would go from sea level to 3,500 meters in a day and never had a performance problem.

Would love to do the Alps some year...

[Jonathan Elliott]

Thanks for that, I have to say I like the look of the F650 and when I rode one alone a fewe years ago it went like a rocket).

How did you carry your gear? Are throw-over panniers O.K? We're going in August so the weather should be fine. What were the Rockies like to ride through?

PS Ref UK: My friend is buying an F650 from a dealer in Ilford, Essex. Insurance right- offs. He says they just have scratches, etc - What do people think? (Prices range from £1200-£1350 and only a few years old)

[oldbmw]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Elliott

Thanks for that, I have to say I like the look of the F650 and when I rode one alone a fewe years ago it went like a rocket).

How did you carry your gear? Are throw-over panniers O.K? We're going in August so the weather should be fine. What were the Rockies like to ride through?

PS Ref UK: My friend is buying an F650 from a dealer in Ilford, Essex. Insurance right- offs. He says they just have scratches, etc - What do people think? (Prices range from £1200-£1350 and only a few years old)

these will either be 'stolen/recovered' or accident damage. Pay particular attention to ensure the frame and forks are not misaligned or bent. Either way, likely to have had a tough life.. personally would rather pay more for a known clean one with service history. probably cheaper in the long run. I always seek out cars or bikes that show little or no sings of 'maintenance' as in my experience neglect does less harm than over enthusiastic under skilled tinkering/fiddling.

[StrollSouth]

Jonathan,
We carry our gear in Givi top boxes (55L size) and Jesse panniers. We are also using BMW soft luggage but you would not be able to do that with your co-rider on the back. We also use a tank bag and tank panniers but for two weeks I would think think throw over panniers would do the trick, although hard panniers are always more sucure.

[nomar65]

>How did you carry your gear? Are throw-over panniers O.K? We're going in
>August so the weather should be fine.

Don't take good weather for granted. Last august (2005) I rode through nord Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Hungary. I had a lot of rain (10 days out of 25!). In Slovenia the temperature dropped below 10º C during the night. I even had to change my route in Austria because of the floods. I had to cover my luggage with plastic bags to keep it dry. Sure, it is more likely that you will have sunny days and good weather, but be prepared for occasional rain.

[El Aleman - Jens]

Hi Jonathanrub,

I have a F 650 too, I think the bike is fine for what you would like to do.
I had a Transalp before, but I prefer the one cylinder.... The seat is quiete comfortable - for normal size people, even too up!

If you need a place to stay - I leave close to Heidelberg(30 min) nice stopover.

You are welcome - El Aleman - Jens