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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 25 Jan 2010
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two-up travel
It has got to be two-up but what is the smallest bike that will get there with the pillion still talking to me? The R series BMW seem too heavy. Would the F800 GS from BMW do a 20,000 mile trip two-up?
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Old 4 Feb 2010
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I did 3000 miles on my Yamaha FZ6 Fazer 2up last summer. Its a fairly small bike, probably a little smaller than the 800GS, but the bike handled it no problem.

The girlfriend didnt like the standard seat, and complained of having a sore arse alot, but we got a blow up pillow and she was fine.

No back pain, leg pain etc to mention really.

So, as long as the seatpad is comfortable and there is enough leg room, an 800GS would be fine im sure. When we go away again, ill be shelling out for a good quality seat or airhawk etc
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Old 4 Feb 2010
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To add: She was actually comfortable enough to read a book some of the way on the French Autoroute lol.
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Old 5 Feb 2010
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To where are you going ???
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Old 5 Feb 2010
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2 ups
I hv done 20.000 miles soo far on Africa twin 750 ,1998 , start with 20.000 miles now is 40.000 on clock with just 1 fuel pump failure at 33.000 miles and Im planing to do more 20.000 all aroud central and south ameirca.
Big Foot on 2 wheels
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Old 5 Feb 2010
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Rode two up on an RD350 ( a very small and cramped bike) from Oz to UK in 1977. Biggest problem was the pillion consistently falling asleep on the back of the bike, even in the Himalayas.

An F800 would be pure luxury by comparison, and others have done similar distances two up on Honda stepthroughs.
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Old 5 Feb 2010
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I think a 600cc transalp would be perfect !!
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Old 5 Feb 2010
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The F800GS is a great bike! Ride one and you'll see. If you can afford it, would be a good choice. Perhaps an aftermarket seat?

Less expensive choices would be the stellar DL650 Suzuki Vstrom. The Transalp is also a solid bike, both dead reliable bikes for a lot less $$$ than the F800GS.

Or if you're tall enough, how about a Triumph 1050? Or earlier 955i ?

The 1050 is pretty light weight at just 436 lbs. (197 kgs.) Dry. About the same weight as the Trans alp or Vstrom. More fun, more fuel costs, less room than Vstrom. The 955i could do dirt roads, the 1050, not so much.
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Old 5 Feb 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel_tailyour View Post
It has got to be two-up but what is the smallest bike that will get there with the pillion still talking to me? The R series BMW seem too heavy. Would the F800 GS from BMW do a 20,000 mile trip two-up?

Where are you going?

The knee jerk reflexfor most including me is to look at dual sport options.

However, if you are sticking to tarmac routes you can choose pretty much anything, so a 600 faired road bike or tourer would be ideal. Fazers, hornets, F800ST, Bandit, etc. Enough oomph for two up, but still with ddecent economy an so on.

That said, I have bought aTransalp 600 and I think it would be great two-up also, even if high speed cruising or fast overtaking was compromised... Similarly, the DL650 or Versys if you like the Dual sport style. I would not go for a single. capable bikes, but two-up I think they are harder work...

If you are heading for dirt, then let us know what kind...
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Old 5 Feb 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by farqhuar View Post
Rode two up on an RD350 ( a very small and cramped bike) from Oz to UK in 1977. Biggest problem was the pillion consistently falling asleep on the back of the bike, even in the Himalayas.

An F800 would be pure luxury by comparison, and others have done similar distances two up on Honda stepthroughs.
RD350 How reliable was the bike? personally I would not have liked a long solo trip on one, let alone 2 up!
Brave man indeed!
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Old 5 Feb 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by farqhuar View Post
Rode two up on an RD350 ( a very small and cramped bike) from Oz to UK in 1977. Biggest problem was the pillion consistently falling asleep on the back of the bike, even in the Himalayas.

An F800 would be pure luxury by comparison, and others have done similar distances two up on Honda stepthroughs.
Yea, I did a lot of crazy things in my 20's too! I could stand discomfort far better in 1977 than now. Funny how that time thing works.
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Old 6 Feb 2010
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If the V-Strom is to heavy try the F650gs twin, I have ridden it 2up on dirt, gravel, corrogations and heavy sand all fully packed with camping, cooking and whatever else the first mate could fit in. The bike went very well I did however have a Corbin seat but a Air Hawk would definately keep the boss
happy. My first choice would be a V-Strom however the weight and the fact I am only 5'4" pushed me the other way and also it is quite ok on the highway as well. I just feel the Yami and Dr's etc. loose that comfy factor as it is a different kind of riding when your 2up. You tend to take it easy and not hurry, but when you are one I find things move at a faster pace.
Thats my 2 cents worth !!!!

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Old 6 Feb 2010
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we have used BMW F650gs which coped well.

also we used the Yamaha XT660R.

if I had to pick one of these again I would go for the XT.

it's a lot cheaper to buy now that everyone is wanting the new XT660Tenere

The XT660R has a very good head light ,and I thought it was better off road than the F650gs.

when riding at 50.to 60mph were were getting 76mpg ,that would drop to 65mpg when riding at 80mph.

it's hard to go for much smaller a bike when two up. with the extra weight of the pillion and luggage you don't want to over stress the bike,which you could well do on a small cc bike.


hope this help's

Dazzer
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Old 6 Feb 2010
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v-strom would suit your need i guess. comfy seat, app 20km/lt with constant 120km/h speed in the motorway. can handle dirt/gravel. I am also vertically challenged person (170cm tall), however, I and my wife went to eu tour with sidecases and had no problem. and it is only 10-15 kg heavier than the gs800. if you compare the given seat hights of suzuki.com and bmw.com the v-strom dl650 is 2 cm lower than gs800.

hope this helps.
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Old 6 Feb 2010
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Originally Posted by Dazzerrtw View Post
when riding at 50.to 60mph were were getting 76mpg ,that would drop to 65mpg when riding at 80mph.

Is that two-up?!?

That is fantastic!! The only other decent sized bikes I've known to do that are my old XR400R with an Edelbrock carb, but only on Supermoto gearing (smaller rear cog), or my Dad's TA700 when he was pootling behind that same XR doing 55 to 60mph.

Nice to see that some bikes can still deliver grins without burning as much as a cage!!
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