Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - A bike for me and a bike for her

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Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbmw (Post 351165)

I have never seen the MG Breva 750 mentioned here. yet they are lightish ( 189 Kg) not tall and have a low ( ladyseat) option. do 75mpg, and have a trouble free shaft drive. True not exciting performance, but they are reliable. biggest down side is the 18 litre tank as that barely gives 200 mile range before reserve.

Maybe someone knows more? I have never owned one but a riding companion has one and he is absolutely delighted with it, actually like going to work because it means a ride on the mg.

I would love a Guzzi to be a viable option (I own a T3 Cali myself) but I think it fails because if something does go wrong you may struggle to get hold of parts in a hurry...........or even reasonably fast for that matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkShelley (Post 351157)

Versys?

Nope, she looked at one of those - didn't like it, seat too high and heavy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbmw (Post 351165)

I was talking to a lady in the Ferry queue in Oban a few weeks ago who was riding a MG Breva. It did look like a good choice - will look into it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkabout (Post 351149)

Austin
The thread is following a rather familiar route in that the 650cc bikes have gone to around, or more than, 200kg while the 1200s weigh in as about 1/4 tonne beasts. Partly because of Euro emissions regulations and extras as standard, such as ABS, as I tried to show with the example of the new V-Strom. At first glance this will not go away anytime it seems.
But, it is said that Honda have a new "lightish" 700cc twin on the way, with a low seat. In fact they seem to be making a virtue of low seat height in their current crop of products such as the Crossrunner. It is rumoured that Triumph will come out with a 300cc "tiger cub".

But, for riding around Europe the 200-250 Kg bikes are OK, I would surmise, judging by the amount of such bikes in use. In other words, they sell. But, the standard seat height for the "new" XT600 is 895mm - I am referring to the XT660Z of course.

As per many other threads in here, when riding other than in Europe, you mention SA specifically, then consider not shipping your own behemoth and get whatever local bike is the machine of choice. That way you will find light, low-seat-height bikes that cost next to nothing to both purchase and run in comparison with so called 1st world costs. With the obvious savings made there you can afford to write them off over the trip; maybe donate them to some local worthy cause or sell at the going rate. At worst, write them off and walk away.

One of the more interesting ideas in some thread or other in here, is the rider who owns 5 different bikes in storage on the 5 continents, all suitable for the riding that he does in the different parts of this planet (and we haven't even started to deal with that question of how much knarly-off-road-riding you will do!)

ps How about a RE 500 single for the wife and Bonneville twin for you to deal with Europe??

Lots of food for thought - already thought about the buying or renting of bikes when we get somewhere but its just not the same as taking your own carefully prepared bike.

Knarly off road - not a lot if any really; although my wife talks about going to Pyrennees for some off roading incessantly - I blame Lois and Austin Vince - ever since we listened to one of their talks about RTW and the Pyrennees Up she has wanted off road bikes. We were very tempted by XT225/250 (as Lois) for a while but they are physically so small and frankly I dont want to be limited to 50-60 mph top speed - its not the speed really, its the lack of go when you want to overtake a lorry doing 50 already (I know, I know, take a chill pill, slow down, have a coffee etc etc - I like riding and I enjoy a bit of go and acceleration in particular)

What we are looking for are bikes that hit the spot with both of us ie light enough for my wife to comfortably manoeuvre, not a skyscraper seat, big enough tank for easy 200+ miles, enough go, and options for ready made luggage.

There's advantge in having two bikes the same but I need to be sure we are getting the right bike. Anyway there's no rush - next trip will be a Euro trip in May and June next year - the Transalp and Varadero will be fine for that - unless son #1 wants to sell his XT600e and I buy it off him.

the new BMW G650GS Sertao looks perfect. Trip to Southport Superbikes looms me thinks.

BMW Introduces G650GS Sertão | BMW Motorcycle Magazine

Hi

in my opinion there is a very simple rule:

If your partner has a problem with a bike, because it`s heavy/tall and not very handy .... you are in trouble and you have a big problem.

On a long term journey try to make things as easy as possible and the above is just one part of your problems you encounter, believe me beer

Our bike downsizing for my girlfriend ....

Suzuki DR 800 Big
cheap and nice, but 220kg and too tall

BMW F 650 GS Dakar
expensive and not very reliable, a pain to work on the bike, very good mpg, but still 193kg

Kawasaki KLR 650
cheap, easy to fix, pretty good mileage and big tank, the 175kg were much easier to handle compared to the BMW offroad for her. So far, the bike she liked the most :thumbup1:

KTM 690
expensive, needs tank extension and quite some modifications for travelling long distances, but ...
only 150 kg, powerful, the best capable bike offroad so far and she drove about 6500km so far and is confident to ride Transafrica with it, because it handles so light :D

So, it all depends what you want!

I don`t care which bike I ride.... , the less trouble with bike and girl friend I have the better ..... Cheers bier

Thomas

www.miles-to-ride.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin (Post 351381)

the new BMW G650GS Sertao looks perfect. Trip to Southport Superbikes looms me thinks.

BMW Introduces G650GS Sertão | BMW Motorcycle Magazine

Well well, so the "Dakar F650GS" is reintroduced along with the base model of the G650GS. It wasn't out of production for so long really.
It has a fairly high seat, but not excessively so compared with some offerings, and BMW will provide lowering options at a price.

But, if the versys is too heavy, then what is not? (I think the versys can be lowered, at least by reshaping the seat?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin (Post 351381)

the new BMW G650GS Sertao looks perfect. Trip to Southport Superbikes looms me thinks.

BMW Introduces G650GS Sertão | BMW Motorcycle Magazine

Is that not just the same as the Dakar version of the the previous F650GS?

The Sertão sure sounds the same as the Dakar on the description, the only thing I don't know is if the rear wheel of the Dakar is narrower then the normal F650GS wheel.

My recomendation would be to take one old F650GS with a low seat for her and one F650GS Dakar for you, that way you get away from the beginners feeling of the bike, and you still have the same bike essentially. If you want to buy new you can ofcourse take the G650GS and the G650GS Sertão instead.

I have had both a F650GS singel with a low seat and a Dakar, for me the Dakar was better mainly because of the height, but both bikes are quite capable when it comes to light offroading, they will not be as fast as an endurobike ofcourse, but they can handle quite allot if you take it a bit slower. The biggest diffrence between what terrain bikes can handle is the tires, I had anakees on the F650GS, and when I drove in soft sand I got stuck reguarly. On the Dakar I had Heidenau K60, and they were allot better on gravel and sand, not good on mud thou. I haven't tried a more offroad oriented tire then that, it didn't seem resonable while touring because it wears to quick.

Just remember that the groundclearance isn't that high, especially on the normal 650GS. Beeing used to a Yamaha TT350 offroad, I used the skidplate on the F650GS on more then one occation.

Well in the end we have got a nice brace of XT660r's. Cheap, light, Pokey enough, good reputation, loads of farkles available, easy to work on and pretty too. Very Pleased with them :)

It is good to hear the resolution of the query. often a thread just ends with no result. Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbmw (Post 354908)

It is good to hear the resolution of the query. often a thread just ends with no result. Thanks

I agree with this principle, but it would be good to hear a bit about what your wife thinks about the XT660R, if only because the seat height is not much lower than the XT660Z in standard form. I would think it is higher than the previous Transalp that she rode, and the fuel tank of the XT is not particularly long range, again in standard form.

Maybe this thread can run a bit longer when you have done with farkling??:thumbup1:

Just make sure yours is the fastest

The best colour.....,with the comfiest seat.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkabout (Post 354922)

I will keep posting updates. Anne finds the bike a LOT easier to manage when manoeuvring or doing tight turns. The weight is carried lower than the Transalp and with a slightly lower seat and a narrower stance she is quite clearly more confident on it. Tank range looks to be in the 190-200 mile range. The light comes on at 2/3rd of the tank. So far (twice) it's come on on both bikes at about 130miles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oothef (Post 354924)

Just make sure yours is the fastest

. It is also the thirstiest :(.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oothef (Post 354926)

The best colour.....,with the comfiest seat.....

I am ashamed to say we ended up with the same colour -red. Sad,I know. Our clothes don't match though and we rarely agree with each other. Seat .... My airhawk is my airhawk and she ain't borrowing it. :).