Which Bike??? Ideas??

[chris125]

Folks
I'm planning a 3-4 month trip in Europe. Just thought I'd ask your ideas for a bike. At present I'm open to anything so here's an idea of my intended plan:

• I'll be sticking to tarmac therefore I won't be going off road at all so in my mind this may rule out the trials type bikes, but it may not.
• I guess I'll cover 8000 miles plus on this trip so comfort is a factor. I don't want to feel as if my back's broke after 200 miles! The comfort requirement leads me to think that a single or twin may not be appropriate due to vibrations etc.
• I don't want a really big engined bike either purely because of fuel consumption and for this reason I was thinking of something in the region of 600-800cc.
• I WON'T be carrying a pillion.
• I'm not a racer so max speed isnt that important although I would like a bit of fun once in a while.
• It will also have to be capable of carrying luggage but not too much. I travel light and plan to stay in accomodation most nights so I won't have all the trappings of heavy camping gear.
• So in summary.....I'd like a comfy bike with a bit of life in it that is economical and offers some wind protection.

Most importantly, I'll have around £1500-£2000 to spend on the bike and I know that'll rule out a lot of modern stuff. But it is important for me to stick within that budget.

Any ideas????

Many Thanks
Chris

[Pigford]

First thought is a nice (bit bland) Suzuki 600 Bandit - cheap, cheerful, solid, comfy... etc!

[chris125]

Perhaps.....I had a Bandit a few yers ago. I felt it was quite short in length. Dunno, maybe that's just me. Anyone got thoughts on a Yamaha TDM???

[pecha72]

A Transalp 600-650 would be comfy, not very sporty, but still fun in the twisties, especially if you put on full street rubber. Very reliable, if maintained properly.

I dont know, if you can find an older DL650 at that price, but if you can, it´s more modern, more punch, better headlights and more capacity to carry stuff. It´s also very reliable, if kept well. Injected, too, so better fuel economy than carbureted models.

Both have V2-engines that run nice and soft, both are fine to ride on tarmac only if you like, and both offer decent wind protection, but you may have to sort out buffeting issues (depends a lot on your own dimensions, if it will be a problem or not).

[harrybo1]

hi there i traveld europe last june, on 02 tdm 900, it done everything it said on the label never missed a beat, i used soft panniers an strapped tent sleeping bag to the seat 4000 miles 4 weeks hardly used any oil,comfort wise exellent im 6ft 3,it performed well in the mountain an great on motorways,in short a great bike wish i still had it. good luck with your trip.carl

[Warthog]

TDM is a good bike, but has a clunky gearbox and slightly pogo stick suspension, but I liked mine. Both points were improved when they went for the 270 degree crank.

Bandit also good, as well as a faired Hornet, or a Fazer. If you want more comfort and a shaft drive there is the Honda Deauville but beware the heinously small integral panniers. Otherwise the 600 Transalp is a great bike too, as well as the Tenere and Super Tenere and Africa Twin if you like a TDM type riding position.

If you want sportier then there is the mid to late 90s CBR600 range, the ZX6R, the ZZR600, the Yamaha Thundercat. If you want speed and comfort then a CBR1000F is a great bike: loved mine. Otherwise the BMW K75 series are said to be very sturdy and comfy, IIRR.

Basically, with that budget you have a whole decade's worth of really good bikes to choose from. There are plenty on sale on the secondhand market and so you have the chance to hunt around for a really nice example. I envy you: £2000 is a great sum to buy a great bike, without worrying about breaking the bank!!!

Have fun!!

[chris125]

Thanks guys, much appreciated thoughts.
The Transalp option has to be a good idea. I know people use them for much more challenging trips than the one I have in mind so I guess there has to be some value in that choice.
I've never ridden a TDM but I've always really liked the look of them. For the money I'll have I reckon it'll have to be the slightly older 850 model though. The seating position of both these bikes appeals to me too and I imagine reliability, fuel consumption and overall convenience shouldn't be an issue if I can get a well maintained version of either. I'm really not tech-minded though and a bike that is likely to require little maintenance attracts me a lot.

[steveindenmark]

This bike will take you wherever you want to go.

2004 YAMAHA FZ6 FAZER SILVER on eBay (end time 07-Mar-10 13:57:33 GMT)

4 cylinder, big tank, good speed, very light and you can add soft luggage to it. They need almost no looking after and will run and run.

The one in the link above may go for more than £2000 but there are quite a few around.




Mine has taken me all over Europe.

For what you want this is ideal. Just ask the guys on the FZ6 Forum.

Steve

[Warthog]

Originally Posted by chris125

Thanks guys, much appreciated thoughts.
The Transalp option has to be a good idea. I know people use them for much more challenging trips than the one I have in mind so I guess there has to be some value in that choice.
I've never ridden a TDM but I've always really liked the look of them. For the money I'll have I reckon it'll have to be the slightly older 850 model though. The seating position of both these bikes appeals to me too and I imagine reliability, fuel consumption and overall convenience shouldn't be an issue if I can get a well maintained version of either. I'm really not tech-minded though and a bike that is likely to require little maintenance attracts me a lot.

I have a 600 TA and it is a great bike: comfy, reliable, fun to ride, but not tiring to ride. Ditto for the TDM: more power, also.

Both give decent economy, especially if you keep your lunacy for the twisties, and are reasonalbe at other times!

Also worth bearing in mind tyre choices. The bigger the tyres a bike has, the more the cost. For example both bikes above can be fitted with BT 45s: an excellent H rated tyre and one of the best value tyres out there IMHO.

Newer bikes tend to have fatter tyres. The bigger the tyre, the more likely they are to be only sports tyres. Great fun, lots of confidence, but used up faster and more expensive to replace. In this respect beware the sports bikes as well as the Hornet and fazers I mentioned earlier as they oftenb have at least a 160 rear if not bigger....

[chris125]

Looking at autotrader and ebay i seem to be leaning towards the TDM at this point. What appeals is the fact that it's got what appears to be a very upright riding style, but I have to say I really like the look of it too. A friend of mine reckons they look awful but beauty's in the eye of the beholder!
I know they didn't really take off in the UK for some reason but then that might work in my favour when it comes to price.

[Joe C90]

don't ignore the kle500, not as fast or sexy as many bikes, but you can get a minter for 2K.

[bodie]

HI have a look at the bmw r850r classic nice smooth engine good economy and some low milage ones for 2k ,nice riding position and plenty quick enough .i like the sound of your trip sounds good ROB

[jim lovell]

Hi Chris, how about a Yamaha 900 Diversion? bullet proof motor, shaft drive cheap and comfortable.

[Mickey D]

Originally Posted by chris125

Looking at autotrader and ebay i seem to be leaning towards the TDM at this point. What appeals is the fact that it's got what appears to be a very upright riding style, but I have to say I really like the look of it too. A friend of mine reckons they look awful but beauty's in the eye of the beholder!
I know they didn't really take off in the UK for some reason but then that might work in my favour when it comes to price.

I owned the original 850 TDM. Good bike, but as stated, clunky gearbox, bit top heavy suspension needs up grading. Good reliable bike but quite a PAIN to service. Fuel tank must come off to access battery!

But in your price range the early one is probably all you will find. Keep in mind, high mileage TDM's get very "loose" and sloppy feeling. A friend has a '93 with 70K miles on it. I rode it and it scared the crap out of me. All the bearings were shot! (head, swing arm, link, wheel, Cush drive) He finally stripped it all down and replaced everything and added an Ohlins shock. Like a different bike!

I would also look around at the Triumph Tiger. In the UK very good deals can be had on ones from 1999 up to 2006. I've owned three Tigers and ridden them all over EU. Better touring bike than the TDM, more comfy, smoother, good fuel economy, good headlights. Tigers are good easily to and over 50,000 miles if cared for. (my '00 had 40,000 and rode like NEW!)

I also really like the FZ-6 posted a few posts up. But if you are over 6 ft. then might be too cramped. I'd starting hitting the shops and doing test rides. Best way to know.

[chris125]

bodie
I reckon you may have solved my dilemma. R850r......why didn't i think of that? It's a seriously nice looking bike, should have low maintenance and can be bought for the right money too. On first glance I have to say I'm almost sold on it already. I'm 6ft tall though, is it gonna feel small??? Please tell me it isn't!!!!