kawasaki GT550
 

Hi
Was wondering how much these bikes can be pushed? They have a bullet proof reputation but are road bikes. Has anyone uprated shocks and taken one on something tougher than tarmac?

cheers
James

ah, the GT550 ... it was the first bike that I endoed (got the back wheel in the air). great fuel consumption and range. handy little rack. I often did 400+ miles a day and some light trails in the Pyrenees. in winter!

unless you go for a full-blooded off-roader such as the XRR/XRLs, the GT can be nursed along. I recall it had a 19" front which might limit tyre choice somewhat. go for it!

TwinDuro tyres come in 19" size.

I had a GT550 too. Compared to the Bullet I am on at the moment (UK to Togo so far), a GT550 would make it here. You just have to ride differently to everyone else. You need to look where you are going, choose the best (least bumpy) lines all the time. You'll get frustrated that everyone else just rides rough-shod over almost any terrain, while you're riding round potholes and corrugations. If you have the patience, it's a cheap reliable bike.

You might have a problem with the wheels though. Alloy aren't they?

yeah they are alloy http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif , any suggestions of a way around this?

The only suggestion that makes any sense is simply another bike.

By the time you swap wheels around it's not worth the hassle, unless you're really lucky and there are spoke wheels off another Kaw that will bolt right on that you can get from a wrecker cheap.

OR just accept that there is a risk of dents in the rims, and make sure you have tubes for it. OR finally, stay on the tarmac!