Sage Wisdom To Select New Bike For 2up Adventure/Touring

[Disciple of One]

Hello, this if my first post here I've been using this place to do research now I figure I would just ask a question, thanks.

My fiance and I will be shipping a motorcycle overseas this summer. We need help to pick it out before then and get it kitted for our trip. We may be able to start in Europe and do a full or part Round The World trip. We will need to be able to do 2up on whatever road or semi-road we happen to find. We've narrowed it down to the Yamaha Super Tenere, Suzuki Vstrom 1000 or a .

Are there any bikes we should add to our search? We've removed the 1200GS don't want anything that's complicated or that can't be fixed anywhere in the world. I guess from the image should we look at the Guzzi KTM and Honda from the picture. Thanks a million! I'm 6'4" 205 my fiance is 5'8" 160. We'll probably have 100 lbs of gear from tent cooking stuff etc.

Oh we also are hoping we can be set for hopefully less than $15,000.00. We need everything bike gear and any mods for 2up saddlebag travel.

Oh also hope I'm not asking too many questions. Anyone ship a bike from Sav, GA or Charleston, SC? And for insurance I've found How does the European Green Card Insurance work?. Any other suggestions.

THANKS I hope this is the right place to bost this!

[mollydog]

Both your choices are good ones. The new Vstrom 1000 is under rated but a good big man bike and quite good Two Up.
Excellent value and a lot tougher than it looks.

What is your riding experience? I'm assuming you have some years riding bikes?
The BMW R1200GS is an excellent choice as well ... and really good when loaded up. But it IS expensive to buy and to service ... and few dealers, but most big cities have at least ONE BMW dealer. There is a reason why the GS is the best selling ADV bike in the world. It's a GREAT bike to ride (I've logged 100's of hours on GS's going back to the R1100GS ... but the others very good too! Try them all if you possibly can.

The Tenere' loses points for me as it's SO heavy ... realistically 700 lbs. when fully fueled and with racks and bags. The Vstrom is over 100 lbs. lighter. This is BIG ... especially riding less than perfect roads 2 up.
But the Tenere' is also stone reliable, tough and fun to ride in most situations. (I only rode one one time for half an hour)

I owned an early DL1000 Vstrom, put 80,000 on it. Not one problem despite beating it in Baja off road and more. It's nearly as roomy as the GS and half the price. The new Vstrom is MUCH better than original. Better everything.
Lots of leg room for a big guy. Same as GS. Decent pillion seat too.

Packing light is hard ... unless you know how. Took me years overpacking to figure this one out. Give it time, you'll do fine, but I'd suggest doing constant edits of your gear and packing and be open to alter your plan and fine tune as needed.

[Gipper]

Welcome to the HUBB

What is your route and time frame?

Its hard to beat the 1000 V Strom for value, you could buy a new or used low mileage one, kit it out and be under budget. Don't discount the 1200 GS, its no more complicated than the 1200 Tenere ES, but Id also look at the new Honda AT, Tiger 800 XC and XCA and even the V Strom 650.

Remember that after you get out of Europe, depending on your route South or East your average speed will be between 40-60 kmh, so at that point a 1200cc bike is overkill. Lisa and I toured South America 2up on a DR650, which worked out perfect for us. Try and test ride as many bikes as you can and think about where you will be riding for MOST of your trip - if its sealed asphalt then go for a bigger bike, but these big bikes are not light when they are fully loaded and you will NEVER wish your bike was heavier when you start riding a slick muddy track 2up with gear.

The only other advice I can give is to pack as light as possible, every ounce of weight you put on the bike will make the handling worse when you start riding unsealed roads.

If you haven't already been, try and make it to a HUBB meeting, there is a lot of information and wisdom from people who have done it before and can help you through the pitfalls!

Good Luck and keep us posted on your thoughts and what you end up choosing!