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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 19 Nov 2022
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2 up on a DR-Z for 6 C.American countries

Guys,
Im planning an option to ride southern US to Panamá, probably 2up.
Me and my wife plus luggage may probably add 370 lb to the bike.
Another option maybe can be that she joins me in seldom points.
Has anyone travelled such a long distance? I will appreciate your comments.
Retarda,
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  #2  
Old 19 Nov 2022
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As others have mentioned, the DRZ seat is not a comfort item. Pillion comfort can vary greatly, I'd suggest taking your other half on any test rides if you expect her to be with you for any long period - ask her to bear in mind vibration through the footpegs, because that's been the downfall of a couple of bikes I've carted my partner about on.

So far for me the larger more tourer-y bikes have done best, but my old CBF250 was a surprising win too
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  #3  
Old 21 Nov 2022
HU Ecuador Meeting Organiser
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400 vs 850

Right!
We rode on a super confortable MGuzzi V85TT at the beggining of the year, both happy 2up, from Ecuador to Argentina, and back. She will complain with the lowgrade rather than upgrade, but it will only be for some weeks, maybe she joins me in places where she has family.
The reason, is I'd like to bring that bike to my country, it is no longer avaliable, and maybe she'd like to try and later think about travelling in 2 bikes
Thanks!
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  #4  
Old 22 Nov 2022
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Originally Posted by motozen View Post
Right!
We rode on a super confortable MGuzzi V85TT at the beggining of the year, both happy 2up, from Ecuador to Argentina, and back. She will complain with the lowgrade rather than upgrade, but it will only be for some weeks, maybe she joins me in places where she has family.
The reason, is I'd like to bring that bike to my country, it is no longer avaliable, and maybe she'd like to try and later think about travelling in 2 bikes
Thanks!

Stick with the Guzzi if you possibly can! You know it, it works, she's happy on it - and trust me, that last is ALL that matters!
If you're thinking of importing a bike to Ecuador, do your research at home super carefully - taxes and import duties etc may make it too expensive.
Southern US to Panama is easy enough, just lots of borders to deal with, and they're much - much - more annoying than South American borders.
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Old 22 Nov 2022
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Two-up on a DRZ. INSANITY.

It's not even comfortable One-up

Total waste of time. And I LOVE DRZ's. (I own two)

You could obviously potter around two-up. But for anything else I think you'll both be in serious and unneccessary discomfort.

There are SOOOO many better bikes for what you want.

If you want to travel offroad and want a simple reliable bike with decent power then the DRZ400 is a fantastic bike. Hard to beat even today. But it's not good for much else.
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  #6  
Old 23 Nov 2022
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Quote:
Originally Posted by motozen View Post
Guys,

Im planning an option to ride southern US to Panamá, probably 2up.

Me and my wife plus luggage may probably add 370 lb to the bike.

Another option maybe can be that she joins me in seldom points.

Has anyone travelled such a long distance? I will appreciate your comments.

Retarda,
On DRZ? That's insane. If Suzuki Vstrom would be the proper choice and you would need a stiffer rear spring. You could scale it down to F/G650GS or perhaps DR650 with custom seat, if you hate your wife that much. 1200GS would be good without any mods.

Texas is flat and big and you are looking at 85mph speed limits on freeway 75mph on secondary roads. And there are distances to cover in nothern Mexico too.
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Old 23 Nov 2022
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Remember by far most of the TIME on the bike on this trip will be south of mid-Mexico. Once past mid-Mexico, a 650-ish bike would be a great choice for two-up. A V-strom 650 would be a GREAT choice, and inexpensive as well as super reliable.
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  #8  
Old 23 Nov 2022
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Originally Posted by Grant Johnson View Post
Remember by far most of the TIME on the bike on this trip will be south of mid-Mexico. Once past mid-Mexico, a 650-ish bike would be a great choice for two-up. A V-strom 650 would be a GREAT choice, and inexpensive as well as super reliable.
As ex-vstrom owner the difference in weight btw DL650 and R1200GS is minimal, and GS would actually feel lighter as it has lower center of gravity. 650 Vstrom is cheaper to get but it will definitely need stiffer shock spring to handle 2up.. this is from personal experience and our 2up total touring weight was about 360lbs. Also front brake is fine for solo but was a liability 2up. Engine is a gem and tank range is sufficiently good.
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