Any ideas, can you help?
 

Hi, i was wondering if you guys could help, i am looking to buy a motorcycle, i have thought about what i want from it, and have listed them below. It would be great if you could give me some suggestions. They can be bikes still in production or not. Cheers.

What i want from a motorcycle:

• Comfort for all day riding.
  
• 150+ miles (241+ kilometers) fuel range.
  
• Ability to do DIY maintenance. eg. change oil/filter, change air filter, change spark plugs, maintain final drive (chain, shaft or belt i don't mind).
  
• reasonable fuel economy, 50+mpg (11+miles/liter)
  
• Reliable (i understand this means following the maintenance schedule, i don't mean a bike you just by and never have to do any work on, unless this exists.)
  
• Ability to cruise at between 50-60mph (80-100kph) with 1 rider and some luggage.
  
• Luggage carrying ability, after-market or OEM, hard or soft.
  
• Looks aren’t that important, i put it down anyway. However it is a pretty subjective criteria.
  
• Available parts, OEM or good quality after-market.
  
• Can handle going down a dusty track occasionally. I know you could say any bike can handle it, but i mean not make a fuss. Not as extreme as Nick Sanders on his R1 in the desert.
  
• Fun, obviously depends on how you ride it.

I think thats it let me know if you have any suggestions of bikes that you think fit this criteria. Thanks

Pretty mmuch any bike I can think of will meet all those criteria. Hondas are the most hassle-free but drink a lot of oil, Dominators, XL etc
Yamaha XTs
Suzuki DR
Kawasaki KLR
Even a KTM ticks those boxes with possibly an aftermarket tank
Cagiva Elefants, the best bikes ever built (but I'm biased!)
Armstrong MT500
BMW F650

Nearly every bike has luggage capability

Don't forget to get a bike that you like and puts a grin on your face - that's the most important thing!

You didn't mention a budget which will probably be a defining factor

I don't have a budget in mind, within reason. If the bike is worth the money then i will consider it. If it means saving up to get it, i would rather do that, if it means getting the right bike.

Thanks for your reply.

There are some bikes that will only go up in value - even if you stick 100,000 miles on it, like the BMW R80 GSPD, I can't stand modern GS's but those bikes are superb

I've done long rides on an Elefant, a Dominator and a BMW F650 (older style). Much as I hate to admit it the Beemer gave the best fuel consumption, needed the least on the road maintenance and handled the best on tarmac. The Elefant had me spending three seperate days working on it all day during the trip but also made me grin the most.

If you can have a ride on a few, make sure that they are not lemons and get the one you like most. A big problem I have buying motorbikes is that they are all motorbikes, and by default as soon as you get off you want to get back on and ride into the sunset!

Thanks, but what is an Elefant?

An Elefant is like a Honda Africa twin but a bit thinner, a better handling chassis and a stonking Ducati V-Twin in it. Plenty of power and plenty of suspension.

I wouldn't recommend one if you aren't into working on bikes - I had one as my first bike and it propelled me from utter novice to mechanically competent in one trip!

Cagiva Elephant, came out in various engine sizes, even 350, handle pretty well but Ducati temperament. Cagiva 750/900 Elefant (1993-1999) - Cagiva Motorcycle Reviews

Good prep can avoid the ducati temperament - replace certain parts of the wiring loom, fit titanium shims and collets and hey presto, Japanese service intervals, starts like a german bike and Italian passion - perfect combo!

The hardest thing on your list to find is going to be the comfortable seat! You'll get the rest of the requirements on just about any bike from 400 -800cc, although the need for aftermarket bling availability might push you in the direction of the usual suspects - BMW, Yamaha XT varients, Suzuki DRZ or even a KLR. Not many Hondas on that list (although it's not because they drink oil :biggrin::biggrin:

Another problem with finding a 'comfortable seat' is that comfortable to sit on for a minute or two doesn't mean comfortable for a long time. Beemers tend to have wide well padded seats that feel great at first, but what you need is a seat that loads in the right places on your backside - straight into the bones.

'Boisterous' riding helps with the arse comfort as you are hanging off the side of the bike or standing on the pegs a lot more

Thanks everyone, great advice. Keep it coming :)

Hey mate,

On my travels so far through south and north America I've come across many bikes, but the most common bikes I've seen were

- KLR 650, old and new models. Great bike, reliable and simple.

- BMW GS 650/800/1150/1200. Another great bike, but more computer like and harder to work on yourself. More expensive and too heavy for my liking.

- Suzuki DR650 - My bike, and a great simple, light, machine. Easy to work on, fairly bombproof unless you're me and happen to destroy it. Still going back to the DR though!

- KTM Adventure - of different sizes, 990 was common. Great bike, although on the heavier and more complex side of things

- Honda XR650L - my roommates are doing 2 up now and they are looking great for the road! Another simple, light machine.

- A few...Honda Africa Twin's and cheap machines from that continent.

My top 3 from the above in order would be the DR650, the KLR650, and the BMW 650. The Honda could fit in there too. My basis for that and my needs for a bike are a simple MACHINE (not a computer) that I can work on, is bombproof, lightweight, simple, looks not flash so to not attract attention.

Whatever you choose and modify you will be happy with. After a few years riding maybe you will stay with that one as many have done, or change to something else, as many others have done. A good example of a guy who started on a BMW F650 GS and changed to a DR650 halfway through is trip can be found at Short Way Round and gives a great description on the setup for each bike, especially the DR.

GOOD LUCK!

If Africa Twin (I´ve owned a total 5 different AT´s!) & KTM Adventure get mentioned, then I think the DL650 and Transalp 650/700 should, too. These are more road-biased, but still good all-rounders, and as bulletproof as they get. Carry weight pretty well, too, and the twin engines will be good (way better than any 1-cylinder) on the highways. 1-cylinder bikes are much lighter, and will be better when you go away from the tarmac, but long as there´s something that can be described as a "road", usually any all-rounder will do. The right choice of bike depends on your travel plans & personal preferences.

Another thing to bear in mind on the comfort front is that a twin will be a lot more bearable on long road rides - the obvious penalty is that it will be heavier which is only a disadvantage when riding off paved roads. Twins are also less economical on fuel, however, at a steady high'ish cruising speed most twins will be just as economical as a single. Fuel injected bikes these days are more economical than carburated bikes but then you have to way up the added complexity of fuel injection - bearing in mind that it is incredibly reliable.

My choice would be a BMW R100GS. Fuel economy doesn't quite meet your spec. but it definately wins on the comfort and simplicity fronts. Although they've not been available new for 15 years or so they are still very popular long distance travel bikes.

Cheers

Jacks,
Your list would do for me as well :thumbup1: But, we don't know enough about you!! What you really, really like, what compromises you are prepared to make, how much you want to spend, how much riding you have done, on what and where - you get the idea.
Any one of your criteria goes off into multiple sub-points; for one, "reasonable fuel economy" is way better than 50 MPG (UK gallon) nowadays for EFI and you can't buy a new bike in the UK nowadays that does not have FI + a cat converter etc. Hence you are not going to get a good DR650 in the UK unless you are very lucky and wait for ever for it to come up for sale. Even then the asking price may be silly money because of the rarity factor - check out what some people are asking for Africa Twins and then see what you can get for the same money in later models of bikes that are not so hyped.

When you have found this elusive bike that scratches all the itches I would like to know about it!

It did not take too long for the "twin Vs single" list of bikes to appear, so just to widen things a bit more, check out the Kawasaki KLE, 650 or the earlier 500 (also known as the Versys).
You probably know that there is a lot of information in all sorts of threads about all the bikes named here; technical stuff, fuel ranges, modifications, comparisons of one bike with another, or one bike with multi-others, it seems endless.

Just for another single to consider, have a look for information about the Royal Enfield 500 single for a contrast with all of the other bikes listed, so far.

Good luck,

Exactly the same thing with the Africa Twins in my country – the sellers have apparently fallen in love with them or something (then why are they selling in the first place??!).... :rofl:

For me, the DL650 does just about everything that the AT did. It might lose out a tiny bit on off-road capability, but both are still very heavy (AND top-heavy!!)... but then it returns much better fuel economy, the Honda was thirsty especially on the highways, carries weight even better, and has more punch, better headlights, and ABS for road-riding. And in reality it can be maintained do-it-yourself just as well, even though it´s EFI. (....I´ve NEVER had a serious problem with EFI in my cars or bikes during the ~20 years of use, but with the caruburetors, I often seemed to have some need for tweaking. Carbs are easier to work on, though - but there´s no going back for me).

It´s ridiculous, that you´d have to pay almost the same for DL650 than you´d pay for a 10+ years old AT (...even though I still love the Honda, but progress has gone by years ago!)

Bmw
 

You Blokes who mentioned BMW's it is only a matter of time before Ted finds this thread & when he does you will be in BIG TROUBLE !!!! LOL

Dr 650
 

Actually I ride a BMW, but I to would recommend a DR650 they are my favourite bike, just save for a corbin seat or a air hawk. Also if you are doing long days try and weld some hi-way pegs on your engine guards, I did this to mine and it sure helps on those long days.
Paul

Triumph Bonneville: Like a BMW airhead but without 20 years of previous owners bodges and probably cheaper when bought on E-bay. FI or carbs, your choice.

You could also thrown in numerous other road bikes with tyre sizes that'll take a knobbly/semi knobbly, so Kawasaki W800's etc. Ted Simon rode RTW on a road shaped bike, who needs a MX machine with a MX seat after 35 years of busy tarmacing.

Andy

Bonneville
 

Yeh.... Can't argue with Andy on that one !!!! I kinda regret not taking my Bonny with me !!doh

I second the comments of looking at a DR650. We've got 2 of them and met several on the road as well. Cheap to purchase and set up and easy to maintain on the road. :scooter:

i dont want to hijack the thread but I'm looking at a Bonnie myself, not for overlanding but for every day commuting and the occasional trip away. I only have minimal experience on scooters and small 250 cc bikes to this point. Just wandering if the Bonnie would be too big a jump in size/power or should I get some experience on something a bit smaller first?

Cheers,

James

That is too funny PaulD :thumbup1:
(I too have a 650GS in the garage).

It reminds me that we have yet to hear from the XT600 aficiados about how rough and tough they are and how they will last a life time and cost only a few quid (but as for the DR650, in the UK at least, if you can find one that is not knackered).

Doesn' feel like a thread hijack to me; at least not as much as some of those that occur in the HUBB. doh
The Bonnie has low seat height and is an overall more manageable looking bike compared with some of the behemoths on offer today; so that might be of interest to Jacks or anyone who wants a bike seat height that is not intimidating to the rider, especially for those of shorter leg length.

Another aspect of engine layout for the twins is that the most modern designs are leaning toward parallel twins, presumably for simpler, and therefore cheaper, manufacturing/assembly costs - but they should be simpler to maintain compared with V twin engines.
Jacks,
An exception to the above are the Moto Guzzis :thumbup1: