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 15 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 51
Hard to choose,

when you come to this forum, as any other out there, you hope to get answers to your question. the truth is that we might want to hear what we already have in mind, a confirmation if you wish. but, after one year or two, the answer to me hasn't come. what i really find difficult is to understand what motorcycle is best for me.

let me explain, the issues come from experience, finance, and the idea that i might not be the only one, but have a pillion, which in many ways restricts the spectrum of possibilities.

so, the long debate for me hasn't been solved. i would much appreciate if you could guide me and my wife. i am 30, 1,95m and 80 kilos and my wife 28, 1,80 and 55 kilos.

People say, a 1000cc at least, but i am worried first for the lack of decades of experience. A BMW would be good, i would like to own one, but it's pricey. i loke the many features. but then i think at suzuki too, cheaper, but i only know of one (Skillo) who's going from London to Brisbane.

To all those who have experience and knowledge, could you help us? thanks.

I am not in a hurry, but.....i would like to make my mind clear and know why people chose one and not the other models or brands.

thank you,
Daniel
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Aug 2006
Riq Riq is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 246
What and why I think

There is never a perfect bike. If there was I would only own one however that is not the case. The comments I am making here are strictly my opinions and are not even supported by what I ride.

1 - I have found a 750cc bike to be capable of carrying both my wife and I with our gear.

2 - I would look at Honda simply because of their reputation and availability of parts.

The answer you want will be affected by what you want to do with the bike. For example if you plan more off road at lower speeds then you might shoot for say a 650 single or if you plan on more high speed motorways then a 1000cc might be a minimum. The suggestion above is based on finding a middle ground.

As for the Honda part again it is only an opinion. I currently own a Triumph, a Kawasaki and a Yamaha. These are all fine machines however the Honda network is larger if you look at the global picture.

Riq
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Aug 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
depends on the speeds and road conditions you contemplate.
If you trying to do it on cheap bike, buy an older airhead and run it for a few months , sorting out any defects. the pre fuel injection models are easier (and cheaper) to fix. basically any good bike will do it, but it ought to be field repairable. gear it so it can carry the weight , and ride it according to its limits.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SE USA
Posts: 28
Quote:
Originally Posted by Falcon Rust
People say, a 1000cc at least, but i am worried first for the lack of decades of experience.
People say a lot of silly things. Go with what makes YOU comfortable. My dad and I (about the same combined weight as you and yours) did 400 mile day trips on a KZ400 in the eastern mountains of the US. Our neighbor and his wife (again about the same as you and yours) toured the south east US with a few trips to South Dakota on a Honda CX500. My ex-wife and myself did weekend on a Honda CB 360. The Honda CB750 was once considered a good touring bike.

All else being equal, lighter is better (unless "all" your time is major highway with semi-trucks & trailers at 70+ mph). Smaller usually means less fuel.

Any twin 500-750 would be more than enough bike for the trip while still being relatively fuel frugal and easy to repair.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 15 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 51
V-Strom.

Yes, i don't doubt that the Strom is a good machine. it doesn't look that bad either. but it is still a new machine and if you think on visiting some 3rd world countries, do you think they can repair it? it feels like there's a lot of stuff on it, it looks very much like a road bike with a comfy seating position.
so, you are more or less saying from 500 to 750cc is the way to go? i am not planning motocross or crazy fast driving, but you don't want the bike to brake the first time you are on a gravel road.

But then it seems that everyone upgrades everything, so, it is worth it to pay less and add later ot get somehting like a KTM that has already all the upgrades installed?

Thanks for your kind help.
Daniel
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 16 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SE USA
Posts: 28
Quote:
Originally Posted by Falcon Rust
Yes, i don't doubt that the Strom is a good machine. it doesn't look that bad either. but it is still a new machine and if you think on visiting some 3rd world countries, do you think they can repair it? it feels like there's a lot of stuff on it, it looks very much like a road bike with a comfy seating position.
Daniel
It may become the modern TA. As for being new, define new, the engine is from the SV and has been pretty well vetted via racing. I'd guess it will be as easy to get repaired as a GS1200. The chain drive is pretty easy to maintain. It's a 90/10 bike.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Aug 2006
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
What's the best bike ?
It's a bit like asking ,what's the best dog ?
Or what's the best ?
Or who are the best cooks ,blondes or redheads ?

Before anybody can give any recomendations one has to know ,where in the world you will be riding and on what surfaces , ie strictly paved roads ,or gravel and rough stuff as well .
A very important question is whether or not you have any mechanical ability .
Also how long do you intend to keep the bike .

If you travel in less developed countries then you should have a sound mechanical and diagnostical knowledge of your bike .
Locals may well be able to weld up a broken pannier and fix tyres but I woudn't reckon on them being able to fix your fuel injection or ABS .
My preference for two up would be for a bike of 750 cc or more .
A twin [no need for more than 2 cylinders ] comfortable seating for two ,of a well represented brand with a good reputation for reliability .
So what are they ?
Look at the bikes that deserve their own discussion groups within HUBB ,by virtue of being popular and capable machines .
What bikes are there ?
New Suzuki V Strom, old and new BMW R80 to R1200, new KTM 950, Honda 750 Africa Twin and you could also include Triumphs as well even though they are in the main triples .
I have discounted the single cylinder bikes and smaller machines because IMHO opinion they are not suited to touring long distances two up and being able to keep up with traffic in the developed world .
If cost is a major criterium then kick out the new BMW and KTM , if parts availablity is a concern ,then kick out the Triumph .
If you have no mechanical ability and don't want to acquire any then kick out the older BMW .
So that leaves the V Strom and the Africa Twin .
On looks I would choose the Africa Twin , but for power I would go with the V Strom .

The above is my attempt at a rational process of elimination from data contained within HUBB and from yourself .
HUBB travellers are the most experienced and knowledgable bunch you will find anywhere .
So therefore the above conclusion must be correct .
But if it was a bike for myself ,I would pick a red one .
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 16 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 51
Dodger...

What bike do you ride if I may ask? and what made you choose that one.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 16 Aug 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: the Netherlands
Posts: 138
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodger
I would pick a red one .
me too

Quote:
Originally Posted by Falcon Rust
what i really find difficult is to understand what motorcycle is best for me.
the best bike is for you is a bike that you can handel and are comfy with.
so, go and test every bike that you think suits you.
any bike can be prepared to use for a rtw trip, from clasic ducatie's to an r1. but picking a all-road makes a lot easyer
__________________
I’m not afraid to go fast, it’s the crash and burn part that sucks.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 16 Aug 2006
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
Quote:
Originally Posted by Falcon Rust
What bike do you ride if I may ask? and what made you choose that one.
Well OK - as you did ask .
I've had bikes for 35 years or more ,British , Japanese and Spanish of all types.
These days I like tinkering and building as much as I do riding and I like simple bikes that I can work on without straining my brain too much .
Hence single or twin cylinders ,with points and coil ignition ,twin shock swingarms and as little plastic as possible .
At the moment I have a Norton Commando and a couple of 650 Yamahas on the road .
The latest bike was a basket case Yamaha and my aim was to build an "adventure tourer" for less than $1000 .
So far so good [thank you Ebay !] and I have a couple of hundred left in the kitty .
It's not a fancy or a fast bike ,but it will go anywhere that I want to go plus I can fix it on the road with locally sourced parts [like for instance a car coil , bearings, shocks of a Minsk/Yam-hon-suki - what have you ].A parts bike at home also ensures that any big chunks of bike that I may need enroute can be forwarded to me .
And if I have it stolen/confiscated/crashed I'm not unduly out of pocket .
My next project will be a large engined sidecar outfit , I've already built the sidecar chassis and now I'm looking for a bike to pull it ,maybe an early GoldWing or a Shovelhead .
So that's what I ride and why .
I have lots of red paint as well .

If I wanted a new bike to go anywhere two up , my two choices out of the popular " Adventure tourers " would be the KTM [with a custom saddle] or the V Strom .
But I love Moto Guzzis as well !

You see once you've become hooked , buying a bike is not like buying a hairdryer.

PS , my reference to red , has a lot to do with a song by Australian [songwriter ? ] Kevin "bloody" Wilson - "Living next door to Alan". Not politically correct these days ,but funny all the same .And as Canadians say " Red one's are more better !"
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 17 Aug 2006
Ekke's Avatar
HU CanWest Meeting Organiser
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Redwood Meadows, AB, Canada
Posts: 358
My 2 Cents

I notice in your specifications (personal dimensions!) that you are both rather tall, yet light. Based on that I would suggest that power is not the main criterion for your decision but size. At 193 cm I find that a lot of bikes are rather cramped in the legs. I've taken passengers who weren't as tall as your wife who have fallen off the bike in agony after a short ride because their legs were folded double. For my dimensions an R1150GS works really well and the passenger accommodations aren't too bad. It seems to be the most common two up adventure bike and I would guess that size has something to do with it.

Someone above said it: do some test rides. And take your wife along! That will tell you more than any opinions on this website will about your own comfort. Once you've found a bike that works for you both come on back and I'm sure you'll find people on the HUBB who think you made the right decision and others who think you couldn't have got it more wrong.
__________________
Ekke Kok

'84 R100RT 141,000 km (Dad's!)
'89 R100GS 250,000 km (and ready for another continent)
'07 R1200GS Adventure 100,000 km (just finished Circumnavigating Asia)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

www.ekke-audrey.ca
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 19 Aug 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 51
Thank you Patrick.

I have decided that i will go and try to bikes next week. The dakar and the DL650.

After that i will let you know which is the better option. But by what you're telling me, and hope this helps everyone in the same situation, the Suzuki is the "New" way to go.

Thanks again,
Daniele
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 24 Apr 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 16
Hey Daniel,

What did you end up buying? I am going through the same sort of thinking as you did then at the moment.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10 May 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 51
Bmw 1200gs

Well, sorry for not reply earlier. been around with my wife. so, we ended up buying a bike that is bigger than we were going to buy. since november. it's big, yes, it's tall, yes, it's comfortable, yes, but it needs a better windscreen, better seat. and like all the bikes out there, there's more you can do to improve comfort for long distance travelling. if you have the money, it's a great bike. otherwise wait to see if the so long waited 800gs comes out.

Daniele
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10 May 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 303
Well, I can only tell you one thing:

Travelling with a passenger sucks no matter what bike.
I decided to get my wife a set of wheels of her own as I just could not figure out which way to go two up (there is no way as I do not want to limit myself to tarmac and 2x4 routes).
Now she's got a Suzi Djebel 200 waiting in the garage to build her confidence into two wheeled transport as soon as she's passed her test.
I can get back onto my favourite mode of transport (DR650) which is barely suitable for passenger transport. Down to the beach, yes. Maybe.

IMHO two bikes is the better way to go. Especially when travelling in remote regions. Very unlikely for two on two bikes to see their wazoo at the same time or two bikes to pack up simultaneously (unless they're Italian )
And definitely more fun! IMHO

BMW will probably send a letter bomb
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


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Hard or Soft Luggage for an XR650L funklab Honda Tech 12 28 Apr 2006 10:15
Hard luggage - concerns re destabilizing height normw Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 5 29 Mar 2006 13:06
Buying a 110 Hard Top. Col Campbell Equipping the Overland Vehicle 8 17 Aug 2004 01:11
Hard Panniers ? Tony Robson Equipment Reviews 6 30 Oct 2001 03:50
Hard seats-cure Fastfossil Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 2 10 Feb 2001 18:31

 
 

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 22:28.