Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
What bike do i need for Trans Americas trip????? What bike do i need for Trans Americas trip?????
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
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



Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 21 Mar 2006
Atwoke's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Northumberland, UK
Posts: 219
All the experienced guys in one thread...can't resist!!

I'll be off in Chile, Peru, Bolivia in a few weeks (Grant, you need smilies with bigger grins...)

How about 2000 KLR650 with about 30,000mls vs. 2004 XT600 with 45,000mls

And what about the height? What is the recommended minimum growth someone should have before trying to ride either in rough terrain?

Which one is better for for the Lady? Self drive, no gravel experience?

I had a DT for 2 years and loved it, but realise that the Xt600 is a completely different kettle of fish........

help!!!!!

__________________
You can never have too many bikes......

BMW R100GS
Triumph Tiger 885
Yamaha XT600e

Jens is gone, but not forgotten.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 21 Mar 2006
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,226
Quote:
Originally posted by Atwoke:
All the experienced guys in one thread...can't resist!!

I'll be off in Chile, Peru, Bolivia in a few weeks (Grant, you need smilies with bigger grins...)
You mean like this one?

That's a : and a D

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 21 Mar 2006
fcasado's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: A Brazilian couple living in Cambridge, UK
Posts: 167
Quote:
How about 2000 KLR650 with about 30,000mls vs. 2004 XT600 with 45,000mls
I'd go for the XT, a lot more common in South America...JMHO

[This message has been edited by fcasado (edited 21 March 2006).]
__________________
www.mfnaeuropa.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 21 Mar 2006
Atwoke's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Northumberland, UK
Posts: 219
Ahhh, grant, Grant (excuse the pun)

sooo much better


Cheers Fernando,
I noticed that most bikes in the papers are Yamaha and thought that might play a role...

How about the milage on the XT? Not too much?




[This message has been edited by Atwoke (edited 21 March 2006).]
__________________
You can never have too many bikes......

BMW R100GS
Triumph Tiger 885
Yamaha XT600e

Jens is gone, but not forgotten.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 21 Mar 2006
fcasado's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: A Brazilian couple living in Cambridge, UK
Posts: 167
Quote:
Originally posted by Atwoke:

Cheers Fernando,
I noticed that most bikes in the papers are Yamaha and thought that might play a role...

How about the milage on the XT? Not too much?
Well, if you could get one with less miles on the clock would be good, however I don't think this is a problem (on a well serviced bike)...

Honda and Yamaha are the common ones down there, I've never seen a KLR in Brazil to be honest, but owned a DR650 though (very difficult to get parts), and I think Suzukis and Kawas are pretty much the same...having said that, go for a Honda or Yamaha you can find people on the smallest villages to fix them if needed and CHEAP!
__________________
www.mfnaeuropa.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 22 Mar 2006
Atwoke's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Northumberland, UK
Posts: 219
Fernando,

Thanks again! You confirmed my thinking.

I think I know what I'll do....
__________________
You can never have too many bikes......

BMW R100GS
Triumph Tiger 885
Yamaha XT600e

Jens is gone, but not forgotten.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 22 Mar 2006
fcasado's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: A Brazilian couple living in Cambridge, UK
Posts: 167
Quote:
Originally posted by Atwoke:
Fernando,

Thanks again! You confirmed my thinking.

I think I know what I'll do....
Cheers mate!

You're not going to Brazil then?

__________________
www.mfnaeuropa.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 23 Mar 2006
Atwoke's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Northumberland, UK
Posts: 219
Unfortunately not. I don't think well have enough time to do Brazil justice. Only 8 weeks in total, and after riding around Chile, Peru, and Bolivia, and doing the Inca Trail I fear we'll be running out of time.

Next time perhabs.

__________________
You can never have too many bikes......

BMW R100GS
Triumph Tiger 885
Yamaha XT600e

Jens is gone, but not forgotten.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 9 Apr 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 21
Josh,
I hope I can answer some of your questions about what bike to take on an Americas tour.
I am currently in Ecuador, riding a 2005 BMW F650GS. My wife is also riding an F650GS. We have been through a lot of the Western US, Most of Mexico, and have hit all of the Central American countries. We will continue south.
In my opinion the F650GS is well suited for someone who does 80% paved roads. This bike is heavy so when you get into sand or gravel you need A LOT of upper body strength to man-handle the steering. The bike has a lot of tourque and it is true that power saves your butt when your front starts to go its own way. We have taken some pretty rough roads on these bikes, one stretch in Guatemala was over 100 miles of mountain roads, and the worst thing that happened to my bike was the back brake going out. That may have been due to rider error as my wifes bike has no noticable pad wear.
As for highway milage, we get 60 to 65 mpg and that has been speeds from 45 to 80 mph. Very comfortable on pavement.
Let me know if you have any specific questions,
Tom


------------------
Lynne and Tom
www.strollsouth.com
__________________
Lynne and Tom
www.strollsouth.com
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

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

 
 

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 03:32.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top