Thanks Grif,
Appreciate your thoughts. Loved the 800. I tried the 2010 model Triumph 1050 but found the ride to be a bit less comfortable than the 800. I honestly think the 800, or the 800XC would be fine, but I just want the 1200 ;-)

I live in Norway and the taxes are insane - was looking at an 8 month old, 3000km on the clock Tiger Explorer in Germany - price equivalent about 93,000 kroner. This had panniers, tank bag, sump guard, fog lights, grip warmers and handguards. Similar bike in Norway, without any of the extra's, just over 200,000 kroner. If I buy the bike outside of Norway, then import it, I have to pay the tax (I did this with my Landrover Freelander, and it was slightly cheaper than buying the equivalent in Norway). I think I can have a foreign registered vehicle in Norway for 6 months in a 12 month period without having to transfer the registration. Since there is only 6 months of riding weather a year, wondering if I can buy it oversea's, and then take it out of the country for the other six months??? Just not sure about if Germany or the UK will let me have a bike registered in their country if I don't live there. As well as insurance etc. Also need to look into the vehicle inspection requirements for registration etc.
Oh well, lots to look into.

Regards,
Rory

Hi Rory,


It would certainly be doable if you have friends in either country and you can use their address to register the bike and use for insurance and storage. It would be easier to do it in Germany (if the bike is already on German plates) its also easier/cheaper/more fun to ride the bike back to Germany than taking a ferry to the UK for the Winters.

When you come to ride the Americas there are so many good trails to ride in North America that I would not want to be on a big bike, for South America our average daily speed was normally around 60 kmh - sometimes much slower, so a big heavy 1200 is a waste and limits where you can go - to a certain extent.

its a good excuse to have 2 (or more) bikes! or better still save money on shipping and buy bikes in the USA.

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

It's true, buying in USA is quite a bit LESS than the EU in general and used bikes are pretty cheap too. No shipping costs. Sell off before you go back or ship to EU?

My good riding buddy Torsten (originally from Denmark) owns an Explorer and loves it. But he does not take it off road much. He is not a good off road rider but he can do most easy dirt and gravel roads OK, but nothing technical.

He also has a BMW R1200GS ... which he's ridden since 2005. He bought the Explorer a year or so ago and really likes it a lot for two up or just long range touring solo. His R1200GS is for sale NOW ... a great low mileage one for good price! Has lots of extras on it.

As Gipper says, in South America you can mostly stay on paved roads but if trying to get to more remote areas (like inland areas of Northern Peru') then you have to ride dirt roads.

Most dirt roads would be fine on the Explorer if not too wet/muddy ... if you take MAIN ROUTES. You would have to stay OFF the little remote back roads ... as some become technical, so might be tough on the Explorer.

She's a big heavy beast at slow speeds but a delight once moving. (I've ridden Torsten's Explorer for an hour or so) Torsten also owned a 1050 Tiger. He did not like it but is totally SOLD on the Explorer ... likes it even more than his GS. IMO, that says a lot!



My riding group on one of our monthly rides. This one up to Oregon.
Torsten's Explorer on right, my 1050 Tiger on far left (out of shot). Nice mix of KTM's, GS's, Yam Tenere', Tigers et al.

Sounds like a plan but I hope Norwegian law is different to UK law. Here you're not allowed to ride a foreign registered bike (or car) in the UK on a UK licence if you're a UK citizen. So no reregistering my UK bikes in France and bringing them back here to ride around tax and MOT free (I think :confused1

Thanks for the reply and advice. As a temporary resident in Norway I can probably purchase and keep the registration in Germany (or another country), but when I become a permanent resident, the rules change. So I will have to decide on the best course of action.
Grif, I think you are right about the 800 - your advice from your experience in South America was really helpful. And love the set-up on your bike - did you make or have the panniers and top box made? And sadly I don't think my budget will stretch to two bikes (especially for the prices in Norway!). When I bought my Tiger 800 in Oz, the price was 20% of the average annual income. In Norway the same bike is about 36% of the average annual income

Rory

I don't think that is quite right. Many british expats visit the uk in French registered vehicles on a uk driving licence.

Curiously enough I had a test ride on the Explorer 1200 recently.
Here is my full report on the experience........

WOW! WOW! WOW!

Stunning in every way apart from the bars being just a tiny bit low for the height of the seat but easily rectified.