Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
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 Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Apr 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 22
The best bike for Africa - is it a GS650 or not?

I have a F650GS and would like to head off over Africa. A friend of mine who is a very exprienced biker and has done trans Africa on several occasions says the GS650 is not the best bike for the job. She is The Thing for touring but not Africa.

Reasons mainly being weight (too heavy with enlarged petrol tank, kit and me), fuel injection and computerised bits in the engine (I won't find spares easily en route and certainly no mechanics for the tricky bits I can't do myself + costly) and also safety is better if on a less flash bike. Plus the conversion to a full off road touring bike is going to be costly in the first place.

These are valid arguments but I need some opinions here, please. If I have to buy a Yamaha 600XT or the likes, it's still yet another expense that I hadn't accounted for. I'm not keen on trashing my baby but 1) do I really need to get another bike for Africa? And 2)which one? I keep on hearing about the XT.

I am doing this trip on my own and need to have a reliable machine that I can mostly fix on my own and even better, doesn't break down after a long dirt road thrashing. In addition, I'm on as low a budget as I can do (considering it seems to be going all over the place :-)).

Thanks.
Sandi
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Apr 2004
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,216
You'll get as many opinions on this as there are people out there!

It depends completely on how well you ride, where you ride, how fast/hard you insist on riding, and where you're interested in going. People have done Africa successfully on Gold Wings, Yamaha R1's, (Sjaak Lucassen) and full dress Harleys - see the Forwoods story.

IF you ride with your friend regularly, and ride similarly and as well, AND want to go to all the places he's been, then pay attention, his comments are very valid for you. But I suspect you're different from him...

For really serious, nasty off-road, there are better bikes - BUT the GS will DO IT. Perhaps not as quickly as say a KTM 640 Adventure, or as cheaply as an XT600 CAN be, or as comfortably as a Gold Wing, but certainly just fine. AND probably more reliably than an XT. Chance are very high that the GS will not breakdown at all, whereas an old average XT probably will. When the XT does break, yes it's easy to fix - but you still have to know what you're doing, and you may not have the right parts etc. A really well-prepped - by an expert - XT is not cheap, but is reliable.

Most problems the GS is likley to have are as easy to fix as the XT. If the electronics fail, or the fuel injection, yes it's a pain, but you can have replacement parts shipped in easily. AND most importantly, they are EXTREMELY unlikely to cause ANY trouble at all.

My advice is to sort what you have, and ride it. Be sure you really need the big tank too. A spare plastic fuel can lashed on somewhere can do as well, and most of the time it's empty and weighs little. And it's really cheap.

Pierre Saslawsky and Merritt Grooms just rode a pair of F650GS's down through Africa. Search the site for "Pierre Saslawsky" for lots of hits and info on their experiences.

Have a great ride!

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.

------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.

------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 16 Apr 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Perth
Posts: 263
Iwas about to do London to South Africa but for reasons here in the UK I can't at present but I looked at the GS as well as many others and decided it would have to be a honda or BMW. The GS is good and parts easy to get but I found the honda dominator could do everything the gs could but better and cheaper- maybee worth a look.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 30 Apr 2004
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
Hi,

You should use a bike that you feel comfortable with. In terms of weight, learn how to pick it up properly (there's a technique). I've seen 'weaklings' pick up a RT1150 using the correct method, so I wouldn't be worried about the 650.

For electrics, all bikes have them and when they go they're a pain. Arrange to have someone back home be responsible for shipping you new parts if required. Or at least make contact with a BMW dealer at home so they know what you're doing and will give you prompt assistance. Get to know them and build a relationship.

Have you taken your bike on 'a long dirt road thrashing?' Try and get some practice before heading off as you might find you don't feel good off-road on that particular bike. And this will probably give you a chance to practice your pick-up technique.

I wouldn't worry too much about trying to find the holy grail of a best bike for overlanding. There isn't a best bike, just the bike you feel best with in the varying conditions you'll come across.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 May 2004
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Samaipata / Bolivia
Posts: 888
hola,

read all you said above, all is correct.

sandi, the xt is not much lighter, just a lot simpler.

In Russia (summer 2003)I met a two Germans, he on an Africa Twin, she on the new F65O. They had travelled in 2002 from Germany to Cape Town - no problems with the Africa Twin and only small problems with the F650 - they got to Cape Town allright. They used the same bikes to cross Russia to Vladivostok, on a dirt track the F650 stoped and did not start again. There was no way to fix it in the East of Russia, and nobody could tell which electronical part was wrong. She was lucky, as a journalist she had good contacts to BMW and they send all the parts (I would say over 1000 Euros).

Sandi, as somebody said above there is no perfect overlanding bike for a trip thru Africa. One thing is for sure, if you take your f650 it will not look as new after the trip as it looks now.

my advise, learn as much as you can about your beemer, find somebody at home who knows all about it and somebody who send out parts fast if you need them, and ride it down to Cape Town.

I am riding an old XT600Tenere since 1999 around the world and I am getting ready to ship it to South Africa. Maybe we will meet somewhere, all the best from the Dominican Republic

mika

------------------
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:07.