Couple touring...which bikes?
 

So the missus and I are planning on doing trans Africa trip.

Due to general advice we are presently of the opinion of getting a F650GS for her short legs and F650 Dakar for me. This choice because of the logic that taking the same make of bike means no doubling up on spares.

I don't understand this logic as you have to take spares for both bikes anyway so what's the difference in getting two different bikes.

If not for this reason I would rather take the africa Twin.

So what would be the difference/saving in spares between taking two BMW's vs 1xBMW and 1xHonda?

Any thoughs on this?

The logic is:
* If one bike is not running right for unknown reasons then parts can be swapped from the running bike to find the problem.
* When your having trouble explaining to the mechanic what you want done on your broken bike/rack/etc. you can just point to the runner.
* It just simplifies things - arrived in town and need new tyres? Find them for one bike, you've found them for the other, too.
* Convenience of having a spare-spare-part on the other person's bike - if your spare is broken or is being used and breaks before replacements are available, then you can use the other person's spare.
* Only one set of manuals.
* Something goes wrong on one bike, you know about it for the other, and maybe how to fix it.
* ...

There's probably more reasons I forgot - it's a good idea http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Good luck,
James

[This message has been edited by JamesCo (edited 08 September 2005).]

You are unlikely to break the same part on both bikes - so you would only need to carry the one clutch cable for both bikes for example. Same for spark plugs, coils etc.

But have you considered something smaller?
If you are doing the eastern route then, being mostly tarmac, you would do just fine with BMWs. But the west route(s) or more adventurous side trips, would be better with less weight.
650cc is a *big* bike outside of rich world driving conditions.

Simon

I have had many travellers stay with me over the the last 5 years, often couples on bikes and I heard from EVERY couple that where not on the same bike that it was a big mistake. I also have to agree with Simon that the F650 is bigger than you need, whenever the going gets tight. I have an F650 and two TS185 Suzukis. There is no way I'm taking two F650s on the up-coming overland trip from NZ to UK with my good lady. The two TS185s will be much easier to live with thru Asia. Andy who posts here sometimes, did a big Africa trip with two Suzuki TF125s he bought new in Kenya, that worked out so well, he and partner then rode them to India and back to Europe.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

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"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page"- St Augustine