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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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  #16  
Old 18 Feb 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Crusty View Post
oldbmw,

"What does a diesel landrover do?? is a question, because I have no idea".


My old 110 2.5 diesel returned around 18mpg and was pretty much flat out at 50mph. I didn't keep it long...!
Wow, I once borrowed an Isuu trooper, and i got the impression it did about 25mpg ( light use on good roads) I just filled it up when i returned it and did not really pay attention. It was certainly quicker than your Landy
Why is it modern bikes are so poor on fuel mpg? I grant that they can produce 2-3 times the power for teh same cc as the old bikes, but touring does not really need these high horsepowers. My 1985 800cc BMW normally does 50mpg, i can get more if I baby it. But both my old Triumph twins did better than 65mpg at the same speeds as i use the bmw. I do know that when the shift to lead free came about I had to re-tune my ford car which dropped the mpg by about 10% so is it just or all due to poor fuel? However one of teh most economical bikes is teh lean burn enfield 500 which some owners have reported 90+mpg although the factory gives a figure is 80 mpg. ( 87 with some models) Maybe it is rev related...as my bmw consumption is more proportional to revs than speed. the best mpg i ever got was in the pyrenean mountains with lots of gear work due to tight corners and steep inclines, this was unexpected.
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  #17  
Old 18 Feb 2008
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Its all to do with emissions that come from your bike/engine that is one reason why mpg has gone down, also its the way you use your throttle and how you ride your bike.

I have a Yamaha XT660R (yes the jerky type) but if i baby it through my daily commute of 40 each day (10miles in 30mph, 20miles in 50mph, 10miles in 70mph) i can get around 70mpg from it, but if i start to use the throttle as some people say it was intended to be used this drops to around 50mpg when really giving it stick.

On average i normally get 55mpg-60mpg, depending on traffic etc etc

As for riding 2 yep the Suzuki DL would be a good choice, 650 or 1000 is or choice really depends on the amount of off roading you want to do.
BMW GS's also a good choice (i know you said you didnt like them but have you tried one yet)
I dont know but do you's get the Honda Varadero 1000 yet, also a good bike but slightly heavy for off roading.
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  #18  
Old 20 Feb 2008
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IMHO,

Twin GSs, Varadero, DL-1000, Africa Twin and most twins with more than 650 CC fits to your needs.

650 and less looks poor for two up.
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  #19  
Old 20 Feb 2008
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Two Up ?
If you want to do more that travel the BLEEPIN' PANAMERICANA , get a good on-off 650 single with NORMAL chain drive: DR, KLR, or my favorite the XR650L. Nothing on-off is going to be very comfortable for the one on the back so go short distances each day. You don't need all that luggage , stay in homes and hostels, they are EVERWHERE and only pennies..

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  #20  
Old 1 Mar 2008
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I spent a couple of months in India and Nepal with wifey on back of my R100GS. Some hairy roads on way into Nepal as huge potholes and loose surface adjacent to deep ravines. Some of the back roads in Nepal were so steep that it felt as if the bike could tip over backwards, but it never did. However the bike did motor on up such inclines with ease despite the weight and altitiude ( loss of power as I didn't bother adjusting the mix).I'd say go the old skool BMW GS route and be ruthless with luggage, too easy to just pile it on. I'd wonder about whether an 80 GS would be able to take such inclines with luggage two up.
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  #21  
Old 1 Mar 2008
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the lightest big twin?
Go for a Cagiva Elefant!! An absolutely mint E900 just went for a few grand on e-bay, lighter, thinner and more useable power than a big GS or AT, as long as you like the Desomodronic valve timing they are great bikes..... too heavy for green laning but great in the dirt

If you have the dollar I like the look of the HP2, but I don't personally like the other big GSs normally
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  #22  
Old 26 Mar 2008
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Question Why not KTM 950/990 Adventure
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Originally Posted by henryuk View Post
Go for a Cagiva Elefant!!
That was my choice some time ago, but I heard it is not reliable enough for longer journeys.

Small V-Strom is realy great for 2up and I did some kkm all around Europe. Now it's time to go south (Morocco or Turkey) and more off-road.
As long as road surface is firm, V-Strom is . But as soon as you get a bit of sand, you will end running 20 kmph with your legs widely spread... So it's time for a change.

I don't like GSs. I did a test ride on new GS1200 and I still don't like it (not objectively perhaps).
Why does nobody mention large KTM adventure? I'm gonna test it as soon as it stops snowing. Really why? I heard that the seat pre2003 is not regarded as comfortable What else?
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  #23  
Old 26 Mar 2008
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most use dealers, which are mostly GOOD around here. Good shopping!
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