Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer 
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the Horizons Unlimited logo on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
ll 5 DVDs with a custom printed slip case. "The series is 'free' because the tips and advice will save much more than you spend on buying the DVD's."
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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. |
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#1
8 Mar 2010
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2UP Bike for £2000
I need some recommendations for my budget of £2000. Must be comfortable for 2 + panniers + topbox.
Im starting to get itchy feet and want to go a trip sooner rather than later, so a cheaper bike is what it will have to be. Me and the fiancee are both small people, im about 11 stone, she is 8 or 9 so it doesnt necessarily need to be a massive goldwing or anything. I was thinking F650GS (possibly lacking in power fully loaded but im sure i would get used to it), should get a reasonable one for 2 grand. Or maybe a 1100GS if im lucky (would rather the 1100 as the majority of the trip will be sealed roads no doubt, and i dont have the confidence to go major offroading with 400kg+ of bike and load) Any other cheapo suggestions folks? BTW, we have been to Italy on my FZ6 Fazer which is a small bike, sore arses but ok apart from that, just to give you guys an idea on the size of bike we have used before. Cheers, Dave
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#2
8 Mar 2010
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XT660R will do what your asking,and you should be able to pick up a 2007 for about £2000
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#3
8 Mar 2010
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Assuming that you want a Dual sport bike, then I'd suggest either Transalp XL600V, or a Vstrom 650. Otherwise, if you hunt about, a BMW R1100GS might turn up. Any and all are very good bikes.
The only I have not owned is the Vstrom, but having ridden a SV650, which has the same motor I can say the lump is sweet!!
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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style! (so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
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#4
8 Mar 2010
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Loads of bikes available for £2k, just depends what you want / need. If you are sticking to tarmac the choice gets even wider.
I'm sure you are aware that singles are lighter and better off road. The twins are generally smoother, more powerful and better on road, but heavier if you are going off road. Here you could look at transalp, africa twin, vee strom all of which should be available within your budget. Don't rule out a triumph tiger either, the triple is a lovely motor. Many of them came with factory fitted panniers as well which means one less thing to buy. It would be a handful off road though. Having said that I would think twice before taking any bike, 2 up and loaded, off road. Have a look around and don't rule out an older bike just because it's old. Check out condition / service history etc.
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#5
9 Mar 2010
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2000 pounds bike
I have to agree (again) with "warthog" and "Rossi"!
I own an older Honda TransAlp - 1991 model, with 400ccm engine only(built for the Japanese market due to license restrictions). It took me and my girlfriend (+ all the outdoor stuff we needed) to quite a few places (Hokkaido roundtrip touring 3000+km) and we never experienced any problems. Sure, if you are looking for a racing / competition bike maybe the TA is not what you are looking for (it is NOT a Fazer)! But if you are looking for easy maintenance, good gas-mileage, reliability - then that's the bike you want!
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Klaus D. Orth A German in Japan 1992 Honda TA
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#6
9 Mar 2010
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You will struggle to get a decent 1100GS FOR 2k. 2.5K maybe.
I would suggest one of the 900cc Triumphs, either the Trophy, Sprint or Trident. They are all very competent long distance bikes. I used to have a Trident with a headlamp fairing which was ace. I currently own a Sprint which is the same but a proper half fairing. Even better at mile munching. You shoul dget an absolute minter for you 2K. The Tridents actually seem to be going up in price at the minute!
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This old world keeps spinning round, it`s a wonder tall trees ain`t laying down.
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#7
9 Mar 2010
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xtz750 super tenere
great 2 up bike 2 grand gets you a very good one ours took us 2 up to Cape Town from UK without a single problem decent off road ability too (in the right hands)
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#8
9 Mar 2010
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If I could find a v-strom 650 for 2grand i would be very pleased. That is the bike i was planning on using if i had more to spend, so it may well be worth having a good trawl for a cheap one.
I like the super tenere idea. If you hadnt already guessed its a dual sport type bike i was aiming for, mainly for the larger front wheel and general "toughness" although i suppose thats just subjective. Having a yamaha at the moment I wouldn't mind the xt660r. How would the comfort be on this bike for 2? Looks alot like a moto x style narrow seat. Cheers for the replies folks Dave
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#9
9 Mar 2010
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Funnily enough
My XT is on ebay...
2006 YAMAHA XT 660 R BLACK on eBay (end time 17-Mar-10 20:07:15 GMT) I was going to take it to Russia with me but I've decided on something a little more...'interesting'...a WR250R. ++ Sorry didn't see the Scotland bit ++
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Find out details of my recently completed 2011 trip to Siberia on a lightweight dirtbike: www.brighton2expeditions.co.uk
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#10
9 Mar 2010
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Sealed roads, 2 up , luggage !!!!
I don't think a single is really what you want. It will be cramped and wheezy although it will do the job. But why suffer ??? For you, I just think you would be happier on a larger twin cylinder machine. BMW R1100GS Honda Africa Twin Yamaha TDM850 (or an FI 900 if you're lucky) Suzuki V-Strom 650 If you're really sticking to sealed roads then look for a 4 cylinder road bike. Yamaha Fazer 1000, Bandit 1200, XJR1300, GSX1400... I once toured 2 up on a GSX1400 and it was DREAMY !! Bug plush seat, loads of torque and space, nice low and comfortable riding position. Needs a screen though.
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www.touringted.com
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#11
9 Mar 2010
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Hi Dave,
I was going to suggest the FZ6 myself. You are correct the stock seat is rubbish but if you take it to an upholsterer they can put a gel pad in it and make it 1000 times better. We rode all over Europe on ours..we live in Denmark. I also put passenger peg extentions on for Jannie so she didn`t ride like a jockey.  We have now changed to a Moto Guzzi California. We collected it in the summer from Yorkshire and rode it to Verona in Italy and back to Denmark. When we set off it was the first time either of us had ever sat on a Moto Guzzi. Unbelievably comfortable and totally faultless....Now there is an idea. Plus you can get them for under £2000.  Steve
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#12
9 Mar 2010
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I dont really want to sell my FZ6 just to get an older one really hehe. Its a 2008 I have just now and was hoping to sell it to free up some cash, hopefully give me an extra £1500 to £2000 to spend on a trip, which is a decent chunk.
The moto guzzi does look comfy, but its really not my style, tho ive never tried a cruiser type so maybe i should  What about a Yamaha 900 Diversion anyone? Could get one of those for probably £1000. Shaft drive and should give good torque id have thought
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#13
9 Mar 2010
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Quote:
You will probably find one with luggage and all the kit if you look around a bit. They are pretty dull but they will do the trip. Realy mile munchers but loads have been around the clock by couriers and die hard commuters. It's worth spending a few hundred more to get a low miler one with accessories. A few came through the "stealership" I used to work in and they were always snapped up pretty quick. YAMAHA XJ 900 Diversion on eBay (end time 15-Mar-10 19:27:58 GMT) There are 3 on ebay right now that I can find.
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www.touringted.com
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#14
10 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Agreed. Air-cooled, loads of torque, comfy and with good protection. two-up would be a breeze. My dad had one and I was known to borrow it now and then!!
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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style! (so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
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#15
10 Mar 2010
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Quote:
The V-strom650 carries weight like you wouldnt believe - I didnt, but now I´m much more convinced, after a trip to Australia 2-up with one! The stock suspension isnt perfect, but can be enhanced a little with small investments.. ground clearance becomes very small, when everything´s on board. But won´t be a problem, if you mostly do tarmac. The good old Transalp 600/650 would be my second bet. But the DL650 is thoroughly a more modern construction (in a positive way) and has a bit more punch and better fuel economy.
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