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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 Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

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


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 4 Sep 2003
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Ideas- opinions.....
I am looking to buy a street bike for long trips in the US. I wont be going around the world and have a duel sport I am going to keep. Criteria are 1 reiable 2 low maintance 3 inexpensive ie about $7000 US new.4 I prefer fuel injection and water cooled, but not necessary. I have looked at the Suzuki SV 1000 and Bandit 1200, but dont know much except what the dealer says. They are actually very honest (rare) but I would like other opinions and bike options. I have also considered the BMW F650 Dakar, but I already have the duel sport covered. Sport bikes need not apply, I try to kill myself in many other ways without adding one more. Thanks for any input.

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  #2  
Old 4 Sep 2003
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What about an early K100? Quite cheap in the UK these days, I assume it's the same where you are. You get a lot of bike for your money, they're reliable and quite easy to maintain, There's also a wealth of information about them and all faults are well known. For US$7,000, you should be able to buy the bike and finance the trip. Many friends have K100's and all have covered in excess of 100,000 miles. Why buy a new bike for this trip?

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  #3  
Old 5 Sep 2003
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Bandit is the way to go, you'll spend a lot trying to improve the SV and get nothing back for it whereas the bandit can be uprated at no cost to reliability or keep it stock which is still a stonker, if your stuck somewhere with the engine blown £300 and you can just buy a new suzi engine of which many will fit into the bandit (with no or little mods)however this won't happen as they go on for ever.

Only thing with suzuki is the cleaning, you gotta clean em a lot to keep the finish, other than that I'd say there about the cheapest bike to run
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Old 5 Sep 2003
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Thanks for the quick response. K100- nice bikes. Unfortantuly BMW and cheap do not go together here in the US. I looked at some prices on e-bay.

The dealer sales person recommended the Bandit first, but I asked about the SV since one of the girls that work there just bought an SV. That tells me something when the worker buys a model. I am leaning twords the Bandit. BTW I can recomment the Suzuki dealer in Eureka Ca if you are going through. They aren't the slick sales type, but the are honest. The owner just fired his only mechanic a few weeks ago because the work was not up to standard. He is doing it himself now until another one can be found. Thanks again and any other advice is still welcome.

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Old 16 Dec 2003
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Why not look into the Honda nighthawk 750. It's discontinued after 2003 but has been a "best standard" winner in the U.S. for 10 years. That means lots of parts availability and used bargains to be had. Very very reliable and simple and surprisingly comfortable. A couple here in Minnesota took two of them to Alaska and back without a single problem. Steve
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  #6  
Old 16 Dec 2003
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Certanly go for the ultra-reliable Bandit.
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  #7  
Old 17 Dec 2003
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I'll second the Honda Nighthawk 750 as well... while not glamorous bikes, they're know for being solid and reliable. It's basically the same as the old CB750 with electronic ignition and some cosmetic changes. After 35 years, you figure they've probably got it right by now.

Also, buy buying a new bike for $5500, you'll save some money for new luggage, etc.
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