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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 George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

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


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 20 Oct 2007
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Old tech , New tech
I was wondering what you guys think ; for a long trip arround should you trust a older type of bike ( XT600, KLR650,DR650) or a more moder bike (DL650,GS...) the question is tough since whenyou are in Africa or in the middle of nowhere you may not find someone to fix more advance bike with injection or electronic system.I travelled in many countries with older bike and new bikes too but I will have been stress to bring my 2007 FJR1300ABS or my 1200GS to a mechanic in Recife or Dackar.
Any though.
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  #2  
Old 21 Oct 2007
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I think you have answered your own question , high tech is not fixable in a low tech environment .
My philosophy is KISS [keep it simple stupid !] .
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  #3  
Old 21 Oct 2007
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this is a common problem now!

New tech, less likely to have problems,
Old tech, more likely to be able to fix problems,

I guess it is horses for courses, if going to places where modern workshops exist, then a fuel injected modern efficient motor will be fine,
If properly in the sticks, then a single carb can't be beat
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  #4  
Old 22 Oct 2007
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I went old tech last time. I think I'd go new tech if I did it again.
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  #5  
Old 28 Oct 2007
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cant top a big aircooled single kept in fine fettle, mines totally reliable and doesnt have wires coming out of everything!!!
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Old 29 Oct 2007
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I think the answer is mid tech... new enough to still be, "reliable" and able to get parts and have some of the new technologies.. (good lights/disk brakes) but old enough that i can fix it.. (so i am on a 2000 AT).. first travel bike was an 83 xtz (drum brakes/crap lights) ... The AT has dual disk brakes and the engine is just as simple as the XT (well kinda).. I go KISS as well! i figure if I cant fix it.. then I am in trouble...
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Old 29 Oct 2007
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I think i can fix my ktm 950 in most places myself. And with DHL, anywhere.
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  #8  
Old 29 Oct 2007
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The DR 650 seems to be the perfect answer to your, and many other's dilemma, modern engineering and electrics but solid as a rock. No water cooling to leak or fail, no fuel injection, low’ish compression so it will run on low octane fuels, leaded or unleaded, what more could you want
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  #9  
Old 29 Oct 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KiwiBruce View Post
The DR 650 - what more could you want
Suzuki to sell them in the UK, new - not going to happen while they have a carb fitted.
The same for all other bikes that use a carb - It's caused by Euro regulation, so there is no arguing with that!
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Old 29 Oct 2007
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Old technology is only good if you can get it new.
If you can afford, the best solution is the HPN BMW giving the best balance between weight, power, simplicity, availability of parts and the ability to carry luggage well and to handle the worst kind of roads the third world can cook up.
hpn
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  #11  
Old 29 Oct 2007
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Question Dr 650
:confused1: Looks like a nice bike kinda more modern XT, I wonder why we cant get them here in the UK as we can get the DR 400 which seems to be very similar just smaller engine. How much are these bikes out in the States ?

Has anyone tried the disel KLR that the US military developed ? that could make a great overlanding Bike.
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  #12  
Old 30 Oct 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
Suzuki to sell them in the UK, new - not going to happen while they have a carb fitted.
The same for all other bikes that use a carb - It's caused by Euro regulation, so there is no arguing with that!
stu,
It's because of the Euro 3 emissions regulations which come in at the end of this year; there are some exceptions for bikes which sell in small quantities I understand, but even those are for a limited period.
Hence all bikes imported into the UK are moving toward Fuel Inj.

The DRZ is about to change it's specification according to "rumour" - I haven't heard much about the new version; said to be a 450cc. Maybe the NEC bike show will have it there.

So far as I can tell, all bikes on sale in the US are cheaper than here; partly for the currency exchange rate reason, partly because we get ripped off with sales taxes, etc etc - you name it, we have it!!
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Old 30 Oct 2007
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Cheers Dave
Thanks for that I didnt know about the euro 3. Seems like we get screwed again. Pitty as there seems to be lots of great bikes out there that we cant get. I like the idea of buying a bike in the States for a US trip then selling it on.
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  #14  
Old 30 Oct 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stuxtttr View Post
Pitty as there seems to be lots of great bikes out there that we cant get. I like the idea of buying a bike in the States for a US trip then selling it on.

Agreed on both counts.
It works in a similar way for the States and other countries, but I have no idea why - there were no Africa Twins sold in the US for example (or very few, 'cos they are like hens teeth to find in the US).

Buyback: yes, my impression is that a few folk have done this over the years, with the possibility/option of bringing a bike purchased in the US back to the UK - nowadays, I am not sure how much work and money is needed to re-register such a bike here (it has been talked about in various other threads).

Many years ago there used to be buyback systems in place for US tourists to the UK - various dealers offered such arrangements. A new bike would be delivered to a tourist at the dealership with an agreed price (and mileage I think) when the bike was brought back.
With the $/£ exchange rate, there must be value in US dealers offering the same system to us!
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