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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 Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
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Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



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  #1  
Old 15 Jul 2012
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Possible machines. UK-OZ/NZ

There is so much useful info on this website and having been to the HUBB event on the Saturday I have some ideas for an overland travel machine.

Lightweight.
Good fuel mileage of at least 80MPG.
Reliable.
Simple to maintain/service.
Same size wheels.
Sensible purchase price as new.

So I am looking at these:-

Royal Enfield Trial (modern petrol engine)
Sommer Hatz Diesel (based on Royal Enfield and runs on most fuels and good MPG)
Ural Solo T

Then there are the more modern Agricultural Bikes available in Australia (and here as SVA) from Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki/Kawasaki but unsure how these would fare on long distance travel.

Advice welcome.
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  #2  
Old 16 Jul 2012
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XT 660Z TENERE...cheap in the UK and one of this best long distance overland bikes on the market....albiet with a few mods
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  #3  
Old 17 Jul 2012
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I can't remeber his name but a young guy from here in NZ rode a Suzuki DF200 Trojan farm bike from Cape Town to London, and highly recommended the bike. Factory fitted front and rear carriers, side stand both sides, handlebar protectors. Large tank. It's a very good small travel bike.

Cheers

Nigel in NZ
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  #4  
Old 25 Jul 2012
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Which Bikes?

Thanks. I have been told the modern Ural (2x2) worth a look but unsure if reliable and with a sidecar attached then limits where one can go to explore?

AG bikes I am told the Yamaha 100/200 were designed from the start to use hard in work unlike alternatives which are conversions of trail bikes.

Honda do a low cost/lightweight CT110AG but would it make the overland ride?
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  #5  
Old 11 Aug 2012
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Overland Bikes

Been suggested looking at a Suzuki Van Van as cheap to purchase good MPG and basic machine.

We looked at a Yamaha Tenere but the wife could not reach the ground when on the main seat
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  #6  
Old 11 Aug 2012
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Did that route two-up on a DL650. Would I go with a VanVan? Well, if there really was no other choice then yes, I might... but NOT two-up!

Remember, the roads (at least the main roads) are not that bad between Europe and Oz, in fact they are quite good in many countries. So while I understand the MPG thing, sometimes it would be nice to at least somehow keep up with the crazy bus & truck drivers, rather than have them pass you all the time, leaving a safety margin as thick as a rat´s pubic hair.

Last edited by pecha72; 13 Aug 2012 at 19:20.
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  #7  
Old 21 Sep 2012
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Hi Woodsman

The bike choice is your easiest answer to all the issues you'll be up against!! C90, Ag bike, Van Van, Tenere, R1, Harley?????? Just do it

We did, but in the other direction on a DR650 & XT250

Don't get hung up on which bike, jsut go and love every mniute of it

Good luck
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