1. Covering longish distance, at high speed on major highways (and stopping quite frequently along the way for fuel).

2. Carry a pillion in the comfort that the passenger expects, and needs, if the relationship between the rider and pillion is to survive the journey.

That's it really.

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Dave

You can travel on anything, just read some of the stories on here.
Bigger bike = more comfort, maybe better fuel range, higher speeds on larger roads, good for pillions.
Small bike = can go places the big bike cannot.

So if you want to travel with a passenger or plan to stick to roads mostly, a big bike is good but if you want to get off road, are happy to travel a little slower & are riding solo a small bike is better.

I absolutely agree that you can travel on anything, a Harley, a Vespa, a R1200GS. Just wondering why so many times the 1000+cc bikes are chosen for trips that (in my opinion) can easily be done by a 250.

They can be done by bus or bicycle too. The Western biker can be one big fashion statement and practicality doesn't seem to enter in to it. Getting half the riders out on anything under a litre is like getting my wife to leave her hand bag and use the pockets provided in her jacket, practical but not going to happen because they just aren't comfortable with it!

Andy

This has been discussed a few times already, but here we go....

I can see a lot of great things with heavy bikes (range, power, security, ability to carry water and food, funfactor, comfort, some are reliable etc). I can only see one downside and that's the weight, with the right driving-technique weight is a manageable problem.
My bike has been on all kind of odd places, only once I had to turn around (vann Zyyls pass) because I couldn't carry enough fuel. It still nags me!


Personally I use a 200kg bike for traveling, if you can find a lightweight bike that have a range of 700kms, can carry all my gear without behaving like a overloaded bicycle, manage 150kkm without major rebuilds and still be able to blast through the gravel in 160km/h I might have a look.
In my experience small bikes generally come to short and follow the main-routes because of lack of range (fuel, water, spareparts and food).

I'm not saying that all heavy bikes are great for touring, I'm saying that we have different preferences. There is nothing wrong with that.


Btw: I also have a 250cc and a 400cc

Yep, horses for courses for sure. Take the bike that you think will be best for the job. If you're doing lots of small trails and really enjoy the off pavement experience then get a small bike. If you're doing lots of long distance riding on pavement a big bike is best. Another factor is how much you're going to pack (a big bike can handle big loads very easily) and your own personal dimensions (I find I'm too cramped on most smaller bikes at 6'4").

Actually the best bike for your trip is the one you already own, just get out there!

As a point of reference, when we rode from Germany to South Africa on the East side and then across Canada back home we covered approximately 45,000 km. I had sold my R1150GS Adventure before the trip because I wanted something lighter. Of the 45,000 km I would guess that about 1,000 to 2,000 km (Nubian desert in Sudan, Northern Kenya)was better with a lighter bike, the remaining 43,000 km would have been better (or perhaps the same) with the big Adventure. I'll be taking an R1200GS Adventure on the next trip (and probably hating it in Mongolia) because for the majority of our riding we're on half way decent roads where a big comfy bike is quite nice.

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Ekke Kok

'84 R100RT 141,000 km (Dad's!)
'89 R100GS 250,000 km (and ready for another continent)
'07 R1200GS Adventure 100,000 km (just finished Circumnavigating Asia)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

www.ekke-audrey.ca

Different strokes for different folks: I've read of people going RTW on everything from 50cc scooters to Goldwings or Harleys with sidecar rigs. If you want to cover a lot of ground quickly or have a lot of cargo/pillion to carry, a bigger bike is of course the way to go. If you have more time and want to travel at a relaxed pace without a lot of cargo, a smaller bike will do fine. I've always thought something around the 250cc-400cc range is ideal for riding solo in most of the world.

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

(range) OK nice to have less stops for fuel, (power) when do you need the extra power from the R1200GS in comparison to a F650?, (security) ???, (ability to carry...) OK, (funfactor) funfactor is also available for small bikes!, (comfort) OK but you don't travel RTW on a motorbike for comfort now do you?, (some are reliable) some small bikes are too!
So that leaves us with these advantages:
-range
-carry more stuff
-comfort

You use a 200kg bike, then we are talking more about a F650 than a R1200GS? Let's say middle class, but not a 1000+cc, is it?

Different preferences is OK, better than OK or else we all would be riding the same bike!

It's nice to stop other places then petrolstations, but the important part is that when you drive in the third world and want to get away from the main route and explore exotic places you will not find fuel (and water and food) everywhere. For me range is necessary!

I also use my long range back home. Last year I was going to a town 500 km away, I chose to follow gravel roads and 900 kms and 3 days later I got there. On my way I saw two petrolstations, it was a marvelous trip! For my this is freedom!


There might be some situations like overtaking and getting out of a problem. But most of all it's because I enjoy driving powerful bikes. I travel for my own pleasure and a powerful bike increase my pleasure. I'm not saying that this point (or anything else I write) is important for other people but a lot of people like to have some extra power (air-filter mods, different exhaust etc)

A bigger bike will normally have a stronger frame, better rims, better brakes, better suspension and more comfort then a small bike. For me this is safety-factors. I don't find it fun or safe to travel with a overloaded bike.


Sure, if you enjoy it then do it!


I'm not the kind of guy who rides RTW at all, I haven't found a nice route.
But yes I've had trips longer then RTW and I think I enjoy the trip more when I relax and watch the scenery then when I'm cramped on a small bike with a sore arse.


Sure, but in general I think twins are more reliable then singles. There are a lot of exceptions to this but basically I think a twin should make at least 150kkm without major problems and I don't expect that from a single.
My bike has 235kkm (it has been rebuilt). Some people like to change bikes often, I prefer to keep mine for a long time.



Well, I think there are a few other factors, but the factors you listed are important (to mee). I always try to reduce my luggage, but it ads up.

1043cc to be exactly.
Personally I'm not a big fan of the 1200GS, but if you look at the routes many people takes (95% tarmac, 4% fast gravel) I think it can be a sensible choice (for some). IMHO it's a machine for covering long distances on most kind of roads- but as other bikes it has weak spots.

Sure, that's why I don't see the point in topics like this

And in the last day or so it has come around twice!!! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...679#post374990

That's kind of weird (but that talk is going on in the bar).

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Dave

I always thought you need a medium sized bike ie a 650 Vstrom which I have done quite a few miles and lots of European trips.

So when looking for a bike for a RTW trip I bought a DR250.. lovely little bike but I couldnt get it out of my head that it was too small....

So I bought a Yamaha TT600RE... yep thats the bike :-)

However, I have just completed a 3,500 mile trip to Gambia on a
HONDA C90 !! and enjoyed every single minute of it... average speed... 45mph :-) you get to see so much more.

So the bike going on my RTW trip is .... My TT600 because I have put a lot of time and effort.. not to mention money on getting the bike just right.

I am keeping my 250 for a future trip to Africa.... less speed more to see

Cheers
Geordie aka Will

Maybe that's my problem, being to practical!

I agree 100%. But isn't that what most travelers do or want to do? Travel slow and get off road here and there?

These are 2 good points but still...many of the riders I see on the internet do a lot of offroad and hardly ever carry a pillion!
But it reminds me why I'm not a heavy bike user, I always travel alone and I really don't like highways.

Which is why I've reluctantly binned the idea of a small bike. Many things in their favour but two-up comfort's not really one of them...

I don't see the need for any more than a 650 though, unless you really WANT it

Whatever floats your boat.

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Beware the dark, mechanical bird.