YOU WANT FIND THIS IN AMERICA

[dakar200]

Man i just got back from the outback 3 days ago they are moto-adventure people all over au. after I went into a yamaha shop to get a shock replace, and I fell in love with the prefit adventure bike for the adventure geek like me. and I own it know but can,t bring it here yet. what you Guys think of this machine.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com.au/motor...9/49_01_1l.jpg

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Here's Another Find Mess you Got Us In

[Steve Pickford]

Looks like a parts bin special that those lonely Oz farmers use for chasing sheep with.....

[simmo]

Yep! but not close to cliffs like our sixxy neighbours. Great walking pace bikes, but crash well while carrying hay bales to hungry cows, I have run over the dogs a few times without so much as a muffled yelp.

[dakar200]

come on guys, where you sence of adventure??

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Here's Another Find Mess you Got Us In

[Chris Scott]

Well spotted Dak..
There is a 'perfect bike' discussion elsewhere and I think 'ag bikes' would make great mini overlanders. I was all fired up about buying some Honda Bushlanders and running tours in Oz the other week - (though in the end they would not be sexy enough as rentals unless it was a joke tour or gnarlier terrain)
But we are talking 2000 quid new!

I did some research and IMO found the Honda better than the 200cc Yam and Suzuki equivalents.
They have many features like 'sheep racks', fore and aft, twin side stands, protection here and there and fat ass farmer seats that would make them great - not trans-continental overlanding in Aust maybe, but Africa would be fun.
These things are not XR400s with wellies, being cheaply built in Brazil, but I bet they would last on a bag of feed a day

http://www.hondashop.com.au/db/show_item.php?idx=374

Chris S

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Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com and http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com

[dakar200]

yes I agree that is a nice bike I found this link . I take it that this bike is a new bike from honda for the au/nz market.

http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/2...0_Gallery.htm#

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Here's Another Find Mess you Got Us In

[Chris Scott]

Its been around for at least a couple of years as a 180 (when i saw it) and non electric 200. But in Au its only lately become road-registerable (ADR).
They also sell it in South Africa for about the same price - so trans-Africa off-road, what are you waiting for!.

Ch

[dakar200]

well this is cool why can,t we have these cool overland bikes in the usa.

http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/110395/

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Here's Another Find Mess you Got Us In

[simmo]

A recent article in one of the bike magazines was a comparo between the honda bushman, kawasaki stockman and Suzuki trojan.

Which one is for Ewe?

Stockman is a 250cc, all are electric start.

Suzuki cheapest at 4500 AUD Kawa 5990 AUD. Kawasaki won the test being able to corner sheep like a pubescent kiwi, but you would hope so being one third more in price. Suz has biggest tank at 13 litres honda smallest at 8.5.

The biggest problem for overlanders is not to look like a dag!

....they would be good with a new set of sprokets.

the new challenge is the Kazuma from China, an even cheaper chookie, 200cc and around 3000AUD new. It doesnt have the quality feel the others have and isnt yet road registerable.

what have you started Dak?

Nice to know they are available in SA Chris, you may have answered my as yet unasked question.

the test may eventually turn up here
http://bikepoint.ninemsn.com.au/port...opDefault.aspx

cheers

alec

[This message has been edited by simmo (edited 16 July 2004).]

[beddhist]

A couple of Aussies have turned up on Honda CT200's at the UK meeting. I don't think they had any problems with the bikes, but report top cruising speed at 80 km/h and fuel consumption of about 4.5 l/100km, i.e. about the same as a BMW 650 GS with fuel injection. Heck, our DR650 doesn't use much more gas than that.

Apparently the engine has a lower compression than standard 200cc Hondas, plus auto/foot operated clutch and electric and pull (!) starter. My first mod would be an XL or XR engine in an attempt to reduce fuel consumption. I envy them for the seat and the chain case, though.

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

[canadianmike]

You might think that I am crazy, but I am seriously considering one of these unsightly beasts for my upcoming trip around Oz.

I am in no rush (have a year) and money is more important than speed, so an AUD$4,000-5,000 bike that comes with all sorts of bonuses like racks, double side stands and a comfortable seat sounds like a pretty good deal. I don't really mind not being able to go 85mph on the highways, as I hope to stick to backroads most of the time.

I am leaning towards the Suzuki, as it is the cheapest ($4,500 new) and has the biggest tank - 13 liters. Chris - why did you prefer the Honda?

One question I had is whether at 6', 85kgs (190 lbs) it won't be too small for me? Also, how much luggage could I carry on this thing? I figure that I will need a couple of gallons of water and extra fuel - will that max out its carrying capacity? I would like to be able to lash at least one sheep to the front rack - for company if nothing else.

Any suggested modifications? I like the idea of riding out of the shop and around Australia (as I will have no garage/tools when I get there) but please let me know if there are some things that you would strongly suggest.

Also, does anyone have any idea where you find these things used? I checked bikepoint and tradingpost but am wondering if I wouldn't be better off on some sort of agricultural equipment website. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Farmer Mike




[This message has been edited by canadianmike (edited 21 January 2005).]

[Steve Pickford]

Originally posted by Chris Scott:


I did some research and IMO found the Honda better than the 200cc Yam and Suzuki equivalents.
They have many features like 'sheep racks', fore and aft..

Chris S

Does this mean the average Aussie can take two sheep home after the pubs closed?

[carloscarlos]

Canadian Mike, you generally won't find these things used in any sort of condition to travel around on. They, to use a regional dialect, get three shades of shit flogged out of 'em before farmers get rid of them. They then usually stash them in a feed shed in case they need to cannibalise them for parts later. Better off with a new bike, but you might get a better deal if you go to one of the larger agricultural field days. The two I know best are the Gunnedah Agquip field days in northern NSW and the Borenore field days, near Orange in Central NSW. Quite often manufacturers and suppliers have significantly knocked down prices during these events...worth going for the cultural insights, too.

Steve Pickford: The average Aussie can take as many sheep home after the pub as they want. The hard part is getting one before the Kiwi hordes pick them off and slink away with them.

[Steve Pickford]

Steve Pickford: The average Aussie can take as many sheep home after the pub as they want. The hard part is getting one before the Kiwi hordes pick them off and slink away with them. [/B]

Best be extra vigilant to ensure that you get your fair share Carlos....

[DaveSmith]

Hey Canadianmike,

Buy an old Ducati single for your trip. I know one guy I shouldn't have bought mine from, but I met 2 others (Bob Brown and Ian Gowanloch) who would build you one. In the 80s, Bob Brown would beat Japanese factory teams on his Ducati, and Ian ain't bad either. They're both super nice and Bob builds Ducatis for people going round Oz with no problems yet. They'll probably try to talk you into something bigger though.

I grossly overpaid at AUD$9,000 for a bike that should've been at the tops AUD$5,000. I'm sure either guy could build a bike to that range. No problems with the weight you're carrying.

I wish I had a single side stand. I can only dream of a double. I'll find me an inflatable sheep for the front rack.

--Dave

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Trying to ride (and work) my way round the world on a 1965 Ducati 250cc. In New Zealand now. Japan in April. http://nokilli.com/rtw/