I can't find the right one...
 

Hello, just landed here, my name is Daniel, 29, currently living in australia. i have been reading and reading and reading.... all i am interested is in a mid size. this is where i need your help:

I like the looks of the KTM 640 Adventure, i like the friendliness or semplicity of the F650gs Dakar, and the price tag of the KLR. But, i read that KTM seems to be to expensive in repairs and service, BMW is nice but over priced too, the KLR is a nice bike (mind you, the dealer told me that they are waiting for another shipment and no then they will be replaced by the ugly KLE500), but need some extra money to make it up to standard. So, why is it so complicated? and why do you overlanders have chosen what you have chosen? I would really much appreciate your help, if you can. Please advise me,
Daniel

Hey Daniel, there are some people on this site with much greater knowledge than myself to advice you, however, here are my views. the 1st thing one has to realise (and it appears you already have) is that there is no perfect bike. Bearing this in mind, you have to look at your needs - if you are looking for a competiton orientated bike (which I do not think you are) then few people will disagree that the KTM is the one to go for. I ride a R1200GS, so I am a BMW fan and the Dakar is a nice bike it is capable on off road sections and comfortable when you hit the long road (i think the most comfortable in its class). I have no experience with the KLR or KLE so cant really say much there. To be honost, I am looking at buying a 640 Adventure as a second bike, but it will be used for racing so my reasons are different to yours. I think the best advice is (if you have not yet) to go and test ride all of them and get a feel for the bike, dont know in Australia, but here in SA dealerships are keen to give you a bike for a weekend to ride and that puts you in a better position to get a good feel for the bike. Good luck with choosing your bike, and let me know which one you chose.

Regards

Gus

thanks to you guys for your replies,
i haven't asked to take the bike for a weekend yet, i need to investigate. i have also seen people suggesting farm bikes, my head can't handle it too much. i would really like to find a solution and start ridinng.

Happy 2006!!!!

Daniel,

I'd stay away from farm bikes. While they might be reliable and easy to fix, they are really really not very comfortable. Not the kind of bike you want to put in long hours on. And their performance leaves a lot to be desired.

I think you've already worked out some of the trade-offs with other bikes. KTMs and BMWs are expensive, but they are very good bikes. KLRs are cheaper and don't have as many bells and whistles. But, as you said, you will probably have to spend a fair bit on aftermarket parts to bring the KLR up to touring standard.

Anyway, I'm looking for a new mid-weight twin at the moment. So I have similar problems.

You should be able to narrow your search down to a couple of bikes with the right size, power and features for the type of riding you plan on doing. Then do plenty of research and go out and test ride as much as possible.

I can't offer any better advice than that!

Good luck.

Nick

Hi Nick,
so... what are your choices? i would like to know your options.

Tossing up between a Transalp and a 650 V-Strom (there is a thread somewhere below on this).

Both are pretty nice bikes. Comfortable for long days in the saddle, wind protection and smooth power. Sporty enough to have fun in the twisties. Competent on rough roads and firetrails. Not proper off-roaders though.

It is usually a case of horses for courses. Vee-twins are excellent on tarmac, but if you want to do serious offroading, a single thumper is probably the best bet.

What sort of trips do you have planned? I'm eventually going to head to London, but probably not until this time next year.

Nick

Our trip would be from Brisbane to Rome, to go visit my family, but taking the "long way round ". We would like to ride a bike each, but my wife is not very keen. I like the transalp too. I know that something else is coming out soon. Just have to wait,please let me know, if you are planning on buying a second hand or a brand new one.
Ciao,
Daniele

I like the Transalp too. Its a very nice bike. What do you mean something else is coming out? A new honda?

I'll probably buy second hand at this stage. You can get a fairly new Transalp with low km for less than $10k. Probably have to spend a little more for a few mods like skid plate and crash bars. Then there is luguage...arrgghh!

When are you planning on making your trip?

Nick

We would like to go early next year, we are still looking and reading at which bike to use, people say the smaller the better, but i still don't know. I would like to use something light, i am not very experienced offroad and do not intend to go speeding. What do you all think and specially you NIck of the XT250? too small?

Well, as most people on this website will say, nothing is really too small. Plenty of people have gone touring on 250cc bikes and there are plenty of advantages; easy to ride, capable offroad, cheap to maintain etc.

The main problem I have with such small bikes is that they are terrible to ride at higher speeds. They generally have no wind protection, fairly uncomfortable seats and plenty of vibration. I am currently riding a KLX400, and even that is not too good over 100kph. I'm looking for something that is comfortable at highway speeds, and that generally means a bigger bike.

So, it depends on what your touring style is. As much as I like taking it easy, I generally need to spend some time cruising on the highway as well. That means a bigger bike.

Couldn't help myself...

Recently freinds have done or are doing long overland trips on KLR650's, BMW f650GS, XT225's, XT600E and KTM640's. A few years ago a freind did a big trip across Russia on a DRZ400.

All the bikes were pretty reliable, KTMs needed engine rebiulds from 80,000 Kms and were ridden very slowly.

KLRs solid but had the dohicky mod. Bits vibrated off occaisonally. The 225's solid but slow especially at altitude.

F650 still going strong but looking a bit second hand after a few drops, BMW panniers ditched for Alu boxes.

Arnt there new T Alps for sale for 9999 AUD at the moment?

I would go a big single road/trail bike because you can get most places, much further than a BMW Twin, you can change gearing for adventure riding in the hills and then go back to highway gearing with a sprocket change.

BMWs are coverred in star head bolts so you need some new tools, they also like to have everysized nut on the planet on each bike! But they are very comfy on the highway and competent off road, they are also fuel injected and fuel efficient although I know of at least one pump failure that has caused grief...limited time on visa and no chance of a BMW dealer...
Think of what spares you need.

In less wealthy countries you are unlikely to be travelling fast, and its always great to go places others dont get to because your on a trail bike.

Mind you when I got back to Europe I wanted a 999s.

happy hunting

alec

http://users.netlink.com.au/~asimpson

Haven't seen any new ones for that price. All the TAs I've seen have been around $12k. If someone is offering $9999, that would be very welcome news.

Hi Nick, I think that we might see a new Honda replacing the Transalp, but i do not know when, so we just have to wait.
I have seen panniers for the Vstrom, but the non for the TA, at least not in alluminium. The TA's a carburator and the Vstrom is EFI, what do you think about that? i hope i am not to boring, but i prefer more information, better to have more than being ignorant.

Thanks for now.

If you buy a first year production bike and take off on a trip beware the lack of spare parts. At least in the US there can be problems with a new model. If one part is bad all the bikes need it and suddenly there is a shortage. I would ask what bike are you riding now? There is nothing like actuly riding to get your perspective as to what is important. You may like to ride on a 100mm wide seat but go try it for a long day and see if it works.

I haven't heard of anything new replacing the TA. Do you have any more details?

Anyway, Bill has a good point. The current TA is tried and tested and parts are fairly easy to get. I'd be happier on an older bike than a brand new design.

There are plenty of aluminium panniers available for the TA. I'm looking into them at the moment. Touratech/Vega has a setup, as does Metal Mule. Both are good, but extremely expensive! Happy Trails (from the US) has slightly more affordable gear. I'm sure there are other options as well. I just have to start saving my pennies!

I just asked the EFI vs Carb question elsewhere. EFI is generally better, but harder to fix if it breaks. This used to be a problem, but reliability is much better now.

So, we are back to the problem of which one to get? I could ber happy with a Transalp, even if i haven't seen many in Brisbane. I think they are not really the type of bikes they ride around here. but back in Italy is one of the best sellers. Nick, could you tell me more about your route? maybe we could talk more on the phone, and you could explain me about your preparation.

Thanks Bill as well, and all the others who have posted, i really apreciate it. i must say i am 6'3" or 1,95m tall and 80kgs. i am not the strongest and that was the reason for riding a small bike. here in Brisbane, I have been riding a Vespa for a while, until i make up my mind.

Thanks again,
Daniel

Let me see whether I understand this correctly: Translation: Your Majesty would like to take two bikes, but Her Majesty doesn't. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

To help you further it would help if you both could make a decision on that point.

First: if you are going the long way round, i.e. Darwin - East Timor - Indonesia - Malaysia- etc. then you should be aware that a very large part of your riding will be on very busy roads where the going is slow.

Second: for solo riding take smallish light bikes and you will have more fun.

Third: for two-up riding pick something that is comfy for both of you. Test this long distance at home. I think this is very important. I suggest a shaft drive bike like Honda NTV or BMW K75. I used a CX500 and it worked very well. They will give you the least trouble and you CAN fit alu boxes.

Think about what kind of trip you want to do, what route you want to take, Read the travellers' stories here on HUBB to get an idea of what awaits you.

I think there is a HUBB community up your way. Check it out via the menu on the left. Make contact and meet them.

Things will become clearer as you go and do all this.

Have fun planning.

Thank you very much, to all of you, i've just found out that down the road from me there is the Brisbane dealer of touratech and hepco. cound't be easier.

I will be looking and a second hand bike, new we it could only be a Transalp or Vstrom for two up, don't know what yet for a single person.

All the best,
grazie,
Daniel

I think the T alps were on sale at Peter Stevens in Melb. May well be over by now. Late second hand models should of course be much cheaper.

Remember that if your crossing Pakistan and Iran you will need a carnet, the cheaper the bike the cheaper the carnet. You also wont be able to have that bane of modern life..comprehensive insurance..so think about whats its worth to lose. A cheap bike will not have you hemoraging.

You will, no doubt! have seen Sean Howmans photo of his R65 in Tajikistan on the Horizons Calendar. It was a cheap bike, he owned it and it did the job for him.

Daniel, I've an Italian freind who rode his Vespa PX125 from Treviso (Italy)to Cambodia. He had a great time. So vespas are possible as well.

Post on the Brisvegas Horizons list and you may get a reply from Ken and Carol. If you could meet them you would be doing yourself a good turn.

Common EFI problems seem to be fuel pump failure (not that common) or blocked fuel filters as any BMW K100 owner will know.

If you are two up you need to make sure your missus has a comfy seat.

cheers

alec

ok, thanks, one more question, if second hand what is the best year for a gs dakar?

Thanks everyone for replying to my question, i hope to make the right cedision, all the best,
Daniel

Daniel
Just a comment on buying Touratech etc from Australian importers, yeah it's easier but maybe more expensive. I just bought a set of Touratech panniers and racks (2 panniers and a topbox) for my 98 BMW F650 and bought them direct from Germany. Ended up costing me $1700 including customs and GST so compare the prices before you buy. It took about 8 weeks to get here but that was mainly because Touratech were waiting on topcase mounting plates.