Hi Rod,

to the HUBB. You don't need any specific type of bike to enjoy touring, you just need the right attitude, and I think you already have that. If you fall off, just pick yourself back up and keep on riding!!

Lots of info here so you're definitely at the right place.

Safe riding.

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TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net

Hi, good look with your riding - it's not the falls that hurt - only the abrupt stop at the end! I busted 3 ribs last December on the Oodnadatta track. I work in Alice, but home is in SW Queensland down Goondiwindi way.

Well thanks guys for the warm welcome. My life took a strange turn three years ago that left me unemployed and unable to work, long story and one that require coffee or to be told in all its glory But with lots of help and love from my wife I'm getting back to being normal (what ever that is).

So what's been happing and what bought me here? Well after several new bikes over the last couple of years i found i was not enjoying the ride that much, so I had a long look at myself and realised i had grown old and unfit so the 250Kg+ bikes were just to big for me to enjoy, as I'm 6'4" and 110Kg i really did need a bike that fitted me.

So the hunt was on for a low cost, fun, light weight, sport bike i could enjoy and a gym membership

What i found was not what i went looking for and now a 1999 Yamaha TRX850 lives with my classic's in the garage, believe it or not it fits me perfectly!
Well that was 18months ago and I've ridden the bike more than i've been to the gym (so sad) but I'm loving it.
What next, i found a group of TRX enthusiasts on the web (where else) and started riding with them and having a ball. Earlier this year i broached the idea of an Australian get together at Perisher Valley in the Snowy Mts the week after the Australian Moto GP and have been planing that ride/tour since then. So a week in the Alps enjoying some fantastic roads and wonderful scenery will be the order of the day in late Oct.

This brings me to this forum and the vast knowledge base here what bike to get next to do some dirt roads that will lead up to adventure touring!
I'd like to keep the TRX and buy another cheep bike that has proven mechanicals and capable of solo or two up touring. I've never been a fan of BMW only due to the cost but would consider one, that's my only thoughts on this. So what to get? A soft off roader and then up grade when I'm more experienced or just get the right bike and slowly improve it as i go?

What are your thoughts?

Rod

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I once ruled the world, till mum told me it was only the garden!

Rod, I would recommend a bike that you feel comfortable and confident on when riding. You can ride most bikes 650 upwards with a pillion, it just depends what's important to you and your riding style.

I think the best thing is to go out and start test riding some bikes. As an idea why not start with some 650s then work your way down the list to bigger bikes. The smaller the bike usually the more manouverable it is and easier to handle on the rough stuff.

Honda Transalp XL600, XL650, XL700
(Honda Africa Twin - rare in Oz as it was never release here)
Yamaha XT660
Yamaha XTZ660 Tenere
Suzuki DRZ400
DL 650 V-Strom
BMW F650GS Dakar

Now for the larger bikes:
Honda XL1000V Varadero
Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom
Yamaha XTZ750 Super Tenere
Yamaha XTZ1000 Super Tenere
BMW R1200GS/Adventure

(notice how I left our KTM )

Have fun and let us know how you get along.

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TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net

Pascal,
Why would you leave out KTM (Keep Taking Money) or BMW (Break My Wallet) f650gs twin ? I am currently in Uganda on my twin and the bike is simply fantastic so far (touch wood).

Cheers
Paul

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....rather Die Living.....than Live Dying !
www.globetrekkers.net.au

I don't want to start a KTM bashing thread, but since you asked...

No I'm kidding, for what it's worth they are probably best of breed. However I don't think in my limited experience that KTMs are as well suited to adventure touring as the other bikes, mostly because of the hard to source and expensive parts (not different to BMW) and servicing. But also because of the horror stories form RTWs that started off with KTM and finished with either honda or yamaha. Oh and the aftermarket parts for KTMs is a bit more limited than more worldwide brands such as honda and yamaha.

Btw Paul, why did you choose two different bikes rather than the same bike. I would've thought that taking the same bike would reduce overall need for extra tools and you could re-use parts between the same bikes... just a thought.

Safe riding through Africa. Oh and if you run into Darius and Jane on an Africa Twin tell them I said Hi!!

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TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net

I wouldn't mind a $ for every time someone ask me that ? But the reason we are on two different bikes is we were going 2 up originally but my wife suddenly opted to ride her own bike, Jan has a F650gs single but thought it to heavy loaded up and since she had just finished reading Lois on the loose decided to try the xt250 and loves it. To be honest I was torn between a DR 650 and the BMW but I had to way up the majority of roads I would be on, Africa and small parts of Sth. America will be off road and maybe parts of Asia but most of Sth. America, USA, Canada, Europe, Middle East etc are all good tar roads so that is why I lent to the Beamer I also carry a lot more gear as Jan is limited to what she can carry (I also had a V-Strom). As for the tools well we carry tyre changing gear and basic service stuff only as I am very limited when it comes to mechanical knowledge. I don't know anything about bikes or cars but the one thing I have noticed is that Land Rovers & KTM bikes seem to be in the workshops at a disproportional rate. (hope no KTM & Land Rover owners read this)
If I run into that pair of Larrikins of course I will pass on your regards !
Cheers
Paul

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....rather Die Living.....than Live Dying !
www.globetrekkers.net.au