Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
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
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Apr 2011
fredsuleman's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 68
Adventure touring is all the rage.

Not quite do-it-yourself, but there may be a nugget of information here.

Budget Adventure Touring - webBikeWorld
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Apr 2011
kentfallen's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bexhill, East Sussex, England, UK
Posts: 673
Very interesting link HOWEVER -

A 2009 model DR650 isn't my idea of dirt cheap.

An even cheaper (and more bulletproof) method of adventure transport is the venerable Yamaha XT600E. It's still possible to source mint examples for around £1,500 in the UK. The makers Yamaha finally hit the stop button in 2003 after the EU dictated that carb bikes were not green enough...

From what I remember the DR series of bikes (apart from the excellent DR350) were a little fragile (compared to other similar Jap steeds). I used to ride an old DR650 and it was never as useful as the XT's.

The best DR ever made was the superb little DR350. Now hard to find as most have been ridden to destruction.

With respect $5,500 isn't exactly cheap. My mint XT600E (1999) will do everything the DR will do for a third of the price. If I were selling it (which I'm not) I'd be lucky to get £1,600 for it. Remember it's hardly run in (5,000 miles).

Sorry I'd alsp rate a XR650 and KLR650 before a DR everytime.

But I'm sure you know differently.....

Helmet on.
__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Apr 2011
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
People love the 'venerable XT600 here, but the 'ideal' adventure bike is a very very personal matter, as are prices and what you would do with someone elses budegt!

For that amount I would get:
1) A 1985 Elefant 650 with a shot engine - £250
2) A mid 1990's 750 monster engine from ebay - £500 (take off the heads, cylinders, pistons)
3) Engine bearings, gaskets, piston rings, belts etc - £400
4) Rear shock rebuild for the amazingly high-spec Ohlins £250
5) New fork internals £80
6) Some red oxide primer - £20
7) New tyres - £180
8) A wiring loom from 'something japanese' from a breakers - £25
9) bits and bobs £100

Hey presto - £1795 and you have a bike that weighs sub 190kg, has about 80 bhp at the wheel, a kickstart great frame and superb suspension. It's my dream travel bike. Would I recommend it? Not even to my worst enemy! (partly so they don't buy the parts I need, partly because the list above doesn't mention the 200+ hours of labour involved)

For what it is I reckon the DR looks pretty damn good, I'd have one over the KLR any day and maybe over the XT
The XT is a very very popular travel bike, but 'magnolia' is a very very popular colour for painting the living room!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Apr 2011
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
The XT is a good bike but not available in N America ,which [from the photos ] appears to be where the writer of the WBW article is from .
So the main choices for a thumper would be KLR ,KTM ,BMW or DR .
They are relatively cheap compared to the BMW 800 AND Triumph 800 and just a couple of thou less than a WeeStrom .
So for somebody not wanting to indulge in an old bike rebuild the DR is just the job .
Kudos to webbikeworld for picking a non mainstream bike and running a series of articles on it .There will be many folks who will learn a lot from this and decide to give "adventure" motorcycling a try .
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Apr 2011
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Quote:
Originally Posted by henryuk View Post
The XT is a very very popular travel bike, but 'magnolia' is a very very popular colour for painting the living room!
Wow, I have the XT of living rooms. That is so cool...

__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Apr 2011
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
So would a KLR be beige ?
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14 Apr 2011
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Yeah its a personal thing and everyone has a different view on what 'budget' means to them.

funnily enough as per the article I bought a lightly used 2009 DR650 with 7000 kms on the clock last year for $5000 CAD or £3180.

I got a nearly brand new bike for twice the price of a 10 year old Yamaha and after putting another few grand into it, completely new suspension, better seat, 30 litre tank, better electrics, panniers and some engine protection I ended up with what is FOR ME the best overlander around.

Id still call this a budget overlander, I looked at used V Stroms and Honda XR650s, KTMs and used BMWs which would have cost me a lot more money.

The DR has lots of gear available to turn it into a great bike, for less than half the price of buying a new BMW 800 for $14000 + cost of panniers etc.

In stock trim the Yamaha Honda and maybe the KLR are better bikes, Ive had a Yam TTR, Honda XR400, KTM 640 and a mid ninties DR650 before - the DR suspension is made of jelly, its got a tiny tank and the stock seat should be burned its so bad.

I wouldnt call it fragile though, the later DR's have a much stronger frame, Ive been off it at 70 mph, (ish) it cartwheeled and I managed to fix it up for a few hundred bucks, its also been nearly driven over by a pick up truck in Colombia, cost to repair, under a hundered bucks in parts, its been dropped a good few times, been banged around on its side on a Bolivian train and ridden around South/North America 2up for 22,000 kms.

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24 Apr 2011
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Quote:
Originally Posted by henryuk View Post
The XT is a very very popular travel bike, but 'magnolia' is a very very popular colour for painting the living room!
Outstanding quote !

Yes the idea of adventure touring on a "budget" is as vague as a piece of string is long. Any motorcycle travel is budget compared to the car guys. Talk to guy who spend 50-70,000 pounds prepping their landrover for a return trip to Mongolia and you realise that a 1200 GSA with the touratech catalogue thrown at it is absolutely budget adventuring in the eyes of the 4 wheeled crowd.

I personally dont get the obsession with doing it dirt cheap. Sure you can spend less, save money on suspension, but then you end up with a less competent bike. You wont get the thrill of hooting across Mongolia at full throttle. To me, the idea of touring on a lesser prepped bike isnt anywhere near as appealing anymore. I have done it before. You do it because you have to, not because its virtuous.

I can understand if you are almost skint and the only way to do a big trip is to do it cheap, but I can say, as someone who has done a lot of touring on the cheap (on a non prepped bike) and doing with a well prepped bike (about the equivalent of 4 grand of prep work) there is no comparison. You still get the same scenery, and you still get the cultural experience, but you miss out on a lot of the riding pleasure. I certainly cant go back to doing it on an unprepped bike.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 Apr 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 1,032
That's because you're on a bike that NEEDS prep.
__________________
Tacos Tyring Travels.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 25 Apr 2011
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Quote:
Originally Posted by tmotten View Post
That's because you're on a bike that NEEDS prep.
Says the man who is going nuts with prep.

Why dont you update me Taco, on your current prepping project?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 26 Apr 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 1,032
Well. It's taking longer than I anticipated. Summer is over and I'm still fiddling with the plugs. I had to take a break, but knowing myself decided the only way I wouldn't work on it over a long easter break was to fly to Hawaii.
__________________
Tacos Tyring Travels.com
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 26 Apr 2011
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gunma, Japan
Posts: 1,104
Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
You still get the same scenery, and you still get the cultural experience, but you miss out on a lot of the riding pleasure.
But you miss breaking down in a small village in the middle of nowhere!
With a less prepared bike, you get the great cultural experience of getting up close with locals as they help to prevent you from becoming their new permanent neighbor.
With a less prepared bike, you get the riding pleasure of 15 hours in the saddle a day after completing repairs as you race to get to the border before your visa expires!
At least it makes for good stories if your objective is to write a book...
__________________
Japan touring information
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 26 Apr 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
You wont get the thrill of hooting across Mongolia at full throttle.
To some of us the thrill is not how fast but how far.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 26 Apr 2011
colebatch's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: London / Moscow
Posts: 1,913
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris in Tokyo View Post
...
With a less prepared bike, you get the riding pleasure of 15 hours in the saddle a day after completing repairs as you race to get to the border before your visa expires!
At least it makes for good stories if your objective is to write a book...
Now there's a point ... there is more "jeopardy" in a cheap unprepped bike. Its boring for a reader or viewer if everything works. A good story NEEDS jeopardy. Increase risk of failure, increase tension and therefore increase sales . And ... If you poorly plan your visas, thus making your schedule unnecessarily tight, you can even further build tension and jeopardy, thus making the stories (and book) even more gripping.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 26 Apr 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,377
Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
Now there's a point ... there is more "jeopardy" in a cheap unprepped bike. Its boring for a reader or viewer if everything works. A good story NEEDS jeopardy. Increase risk of failure, increase tension and therefore increase sales . And ... If you poorly plan your visas, thus making your schedule unnecessarily tight, you can even further build tension and jeopardy, thus making the stories (and book) even more gripping.
It's like I've always said: Adventure is just another word for poor planning.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
DR-650 Adventure Touring accessories for sale hughc TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 5 3 May 2010 05:32
Super Sportsbike Adventure Touring??? Jim82 Which Bike? 6 16 Jun 2009 20:33
Lro Adventure Club-adventure W/e June 16/17th 2007 CornishDaddy 4 wheel Overland Travel 2 18 Jan 2007 09:03
World Touring Network - Japan Camp Meeting World Touring Ne Chris of Japan Motorcycle Events around the world 0 22 Oct 2004 14:41
Motorcycle Adventure Touring Book Global Rider Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 0 26 Jul 2001 01:16

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:07.