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Dream RTW bike? Dream RTW bike?
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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 George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #46  
Old 19 Nov 2013
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  #47  
Old 19 Nov 2013
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Since money is no object, I'd ride what I want, and have an army of support standing by (fix that tire, while I have a )

or

buy/rent a bike in every country and turn it in at the border.

It's only money!
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  #48  
Old 19 Nov 2013
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My second choice would be the KTM 690 with a few well considered mods but not all that fancy plastic that just adds weight and snaps off when you drop it.

My preference however would be a twin and a re-manufactured airhead BMW with some HPN type mods would be first choice.

The KTM would doubtless win on the weight and the off road performance but the BMW would be a better compromise and load carrier, not to mention much easier to fix at the roadside and with good parts availability around the world.
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  #49  
Old 21 Nov 2013
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Originally Posted by colebatch View Post


Big Star Wars fan are you Walter?
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  #50  
Old 21 Nov 2013
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My dream RTW bike.



Livin' the dream

08 KTM 690. 90,000 km on her now. 210 kilos loaded as shown.
27 L of fuel for over 500 km range.

She falls down and never complains.

Oh yeah.. and she is fun.
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  #51  
Old 22 Nov 2013
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Honda VT500 (modified)
it had it all. In line v twin very narrow bike, Honda reliability, frugal, shaft drive, no fragile plastic...
If I had the time and the mechanical know how I would convert one of these
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  #52  
Old 22 Nov 2013
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Originally Posted by Alexlebrit View Post
Big Star Wars fan are you Walter?
That bike belongs to Sam Farah, just returned to the UK after Trans Africa and Crossing Canada on it. He and his other half ( also on a 690 with thr defy kit) are replenishing funds before continuing travels.

See www.chasinghorizons.co.uk

posted from Foxy Fone
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  #53  
Old 22 Nov 2013
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Well, that would be something like a KTM 690 Adventure, just like the one Walter posted.

But I'm a little short on legs (32'' inseam) , so maybe something lower would be better suited for technical riding.
That would then be a R80G/S rebuilt with new parts : simple and reliable engine, light frame (for a GS) and off road friendly enough for my needs.
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  #54  
Old 23 Nov 2013
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Originally Posted by ar1814 View Post
Well, that would be something like a KTM 690 Adventure, just like the one Walter posted.

But I'm a little short on legs (32'' inseam) , so maybe something lower would be better suited for technical riding.
That would then be a R80G/S rebuilt with new parts : simple and reliable engine, light frame (for a GS) and off road friendly enough for my needs.
I have a 30" inseam. i'm 1 side or the other. The bike is tall, but it makes you into a better rider. I feel really comfortable on the technical stuff with the 690. Just stand up and ride through it.
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  #55  
Old 24 Nov 2013
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Big Star Wars fan are you Walter?
Well, they can keep those particular graphics Plain black n white will do me fine
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  #56  
Old 3 Dec 2013
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I would go with a yamaha xt660z tenere
with some modifications
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  #57  
Old 3 Dec 2013
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I would go with a yamaha xt660z tenere
with some modifications
Titanium frame, Magnesium wheels and carbon fiver tank?
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  #58  
Old 4 Dec 2013
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Titanium frame, Magnesium wheels and carbon fiver tank?
yeah the usual you know
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  #59  
Old 7 Dec 2013
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R100gspd
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Originally Posted by NYLon2000 View Post
If money wasn't a real issue, what bike would you take for a RTW trip?

What would you pick?
It's easy to suggest a modern KTM, R or F series, even a Vstrom or KLR. Truth is that many/most modern day adventure tourers are up to the task.

IMHO it's all about style and class. Minor bike problems are part of the adventure. Rolling into a foreign town on a '13 fully kitted R1250GS Adventure = wealthy bloke. Rolling into a foreign town on a 15 year old adventure tourer = ?

R100GSPD is my vote. Later model - '93 - '95, with the drive shaft sorted.
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  #60  
Old 7 Dec 2013
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2 Vtwins I wouldn't mind riding.
Webber "Rally twin". Has a 2 cylinder 500cc kawi motor. Custom built at only $68,000. You read that correct. I'm not sure of the weight though.


Then there is this one. The Honda XRV 750. Won the Dakar in '89. It only weighs 128 kilos dry.



I'm not sure why honda thought adding 100 kilos to this bike to make the African twin was a good Idea.
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