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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #16  
Old 9 Jan 2006
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Not to forget the chain case, which is what I miss most on my bike, where there is nothing between the chain and the rear tyre.

However, see the thread on farm bikes elsewhere. I met a couple on Honda CT200's at last years HUBB meet and it made me think: reduced compression = higher fuel consumption, top speed 90km/h, centrifugal clutch, pull starter (and electric). Don't know about the handling on the road. If the fuel economy is no better than that of an F650FI then I'd rather have that and have some fun when the roads are good.

My 2 cents worth.
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  #17  
Old 9 Jan 2006
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Scott and Laura took the same bikes..both XT225's. One reason they took small bikes was Laura had just learnt to ride. The smaller bike was better for this.
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  #18  
Old 9 Jan 2006
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Went to look at XR250 Baja, DR250 Djebel and TTR250 Raid this weekend. All look like great bikes. All can be lowered for my wife using Koubalink. I would say the main thing separating them is the availabilty and the TTR seems to be the most common in UK so will prob go with that (they are all grey imports here).

Was also looking at the Agricultural bikes but they are not available here at all.

If the XT225 Serow frame/seat height was not so small for me I would have gone with that purely on it's fantastic reputation for being so tough and reliable.

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  #19  
Old 9 Jan 2006
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Paul,

Not sure where you're from in the UK, but there used to be a woman who was a regular at the Ace Cafe (London). She had an old Africa Twin which she'd adjusted to suit her height. This might not be too useful, but she was about up to my shoulder and I'm about 5' 10''. Anyway, she'd dropped the Africa Twin down it's fork legs and adjusted the rear ride height. The whole thing was down a couple of inches, which was good enough for her to control.

I'm not suggesting an AT. But it's a big bike and can be made smaller. So if you're restricting your bikes because of height, there is an alternative (adjust the bikes). You'd need to find someone who knows what they are talking about (ie, not me) to work out if it's possible on various bikes.

Maybe someone on here knows her. Or if you loiter at the Ace for long enough you might see the bike.

cheers,
Doug
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  #20  
Old 10 Jan 2006
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Thanks for the suggestion Doug. I am choosing a smaller bike based on my wifes experience on our last Africa trip which we did on Transalps. The bike was fine for me but for her I think the height and the weight meant that when the going got tough, it got tougher than it needed to be. So I am figuring with lower, lighter bikes we can both have fun...and she can pick her own bloody bike up haha
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