next machine? dual sport
 

OK finally got rid of all my trail riding bikes and I am looking for something which is fine on tarmac but also capable/fun off road when dry etc (gentle trail use).
I first thought of a dommie but Ive been told there not great on the road, is this true? very slow? rev out on anything other than an A road. Ive tested one around town and I loved it but didn't get a chance to go on an open road.

Much of my travels this summer will be through Europe. maybe a fazer? although off road is out of the question. i do like trail bikes though and is a transalp any good ?-

thing is with these you seem get the worst of both worlds = not fast and no good off road. I have short legs too!

is there anything out there mr honda does Ive over looked? I did look at GS100/80 bmw's but there old and unreliable in todays standards.

AT?

Good for unsurfaced roads / easy tracks.
Good for very illegal speeds in comfort.

Part of that stability is due to the weight and size though...

Either the NX or the Transalp are good. I can heartilly recommend the Transalp; I've had two and (gentle) green laned them both without problem, and found they were fast enough on A roads and handled motorways with ease. The NX is a great allrounder though, and a lot lighter. I'm not that tall - 5' 9", and the NX is not to tall for me, although the Transalp is lower (but broader) and easier to paddle around in parking spaces.

I would think for your intended use the Transalp would be best. The NX does indeed have short gear ratios and feels a little low geared on the road. It hasn't got the weather protection of the Transalp either, and the tank is good for only 100 miles or so between fills. The Transalp can manage 150 between fills easily, has a wider, more comfortable seat, a higher top speed and generally feels more relaxed on the road. It should be born in mind, though, that both bikes are compromises beween trail and road bikes, and the Transalp has it's bias more firmly toward the road.

The Africa Twin is a fantastic bike, but when I ride mine after riding my Transalp, I'm struck by how much heavier it is! It's also wider and taller in the saddle, so I can only get the balls of my feel on the ground, or one foot flat down. This is never a problem, though I'm not sure how far off road I'd like to take it! The weather protection is very good, and I regularly do 200 miles between fill ups. It's has noticibly more umph than a Transalp too. If you can take the size and weight, go for the Africa Twin. Otherwise I'd go for the Transalp.

Stig

Hi, agree, the AT is a sound bike, for the kind of use you have in mind. If the chances of dropping the bike are minimal on the off road sections, it will do the business. The main drawback is the weight.

The AT is a great bike for the type of trip you have in mind for all the reasons given above. I'm a little short in the leg department (30" inside leg) but , even after fitting a Touratech seat which is slightly higher, I don't have a problem.

The Tranalp is a great bike but, doesn't have the carrying capacity and isn't quite as robust as the AT.