I've read all there is to read, tested bikes but still can't decide what to buy for our (my wife and I) multi-year RTW trip.

Main requirements are able to carry 2 people, their stuff and camping kit. Anticipated roads are mostly tarmac. However, we also want to get off the beaten track a bit (fire roads, dirt roads etc. no hard core off road).

I've boiled it down to 3 possibilities

Suzuki DL650
BMW R1150 GSA
Honda Africa Twin

On the face of it the Suzuki is ideal. It does, however, have one major drawback. The alternator output is rather low and will struggle to run heated clothing for when it gets really cold. I'm acutely aware that if my wife is not enjoying the trip because she's too cold then it's not going to work. We have tried the Suzuki on a short test ride and I think it would otherwise be suitable with a few modifications (e.g. suspension).

The BMW has the alternator output but I'm not fully convinced by its long term reliability. It's comfortable and would easily haul us and our kit. It is about 25% heavier than the Suzuki, not great. I have looked at the later 1200's but they strike me as too complex, particularly the electronics.

The Africa Twin has a great reputation for reliability but they are getting a bit old now and parts may be hard to source? Alternator output is also an issue. They are slightly more cramped for 2 than either the Suzuki or BMW.

What I want is a DL650 with 700W alternator

I know whatever we take will be a compromise to some extent. I guess what I'm after is some input to my thinking. Have I missed any other obvious choices?

Thanks for your thoughts
Steve

i dont know if there is a way to change the alternator of dl650, however, the bike is solid. actually as solid as africatwin. bmw is expensive and heavy. africatwin is not good for two people and a bit old. however, easy to fix as they have not that much electronics.

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ozhan u.
website under construction

I had the same dilemma and was interested by the DL but did you take in consideration:
1)Fuel range
2)off road ready (coler on DL is very expose)
3)ABS
4)carrying ability
5)passenger confort when bike loaded (DL is a bit smaller)
I bought a GS 1150ADV and never looked back , a friend of mine is doing a RTW on a DL and is happy with it but feel a bit cramped especialy for leg room is your passenger have long leg.

Good luck and remember that there is no perfect bike

I'm guessing you are in Europe if you are considering an Africa Twin. Also worth considering is the cost of the carnet on a new BMW.

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Central America, South America & Africa on DR650's - BLOG

How often is she really going to need heated clothing?

Not very, I say.

... but in any case, if she wants it, then you personally can do without for those rare occasions. The DL650 will easily manage it for one person.

..... but think about this, 90+% of your riding will be in on-road NOT off-road situations so buy a bke that is best suited to those conditions., i.e plush ride. lots of comfort features, big fairing etc.

ANY road bike can handle the occasional offroad sections - I rode 3,000 kms of dirt across the Sahara on a Yamaha RD350, and 3,000kms of dirt in Russia/Kazakhstan on a maxi-scooter, without difficulty.

Get a road bike - cheaper, more comfortable, and just as reliable..... providing it's Japanese.

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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman

The only one I have had personal experience with is the R1150, although mine was not an ADV, so the suspension was shorter.

Of those 3 I would consider the BMW or the Suzuki. By all accounts the AT is probably the best off-road, if I can believe what I've read and what I've heard, but it is not a powerful bike for it's size (not far off the weight of the GS, IIRR). Plenty for solo riding but two-up I think it could be a little under powered, especially with luggage.

I may be wrong and someone whose done it may be able to say otherwise.

Economy wise, the Suzuki will be best, but your range may still be less than the BM with it's 34 litre tank. (My fully laden GS managed 48-49 MPG - Uk gallons).

Weight-wise the Suzuki wins easily and power is pretty good too: not far behind the BM, but in terms of torque I think the extra 500 cc of the BM will pack more punch, especially as the GSA has a lower first gear than my old GS.

DL is watercooled and the BM oil and air, so this means if you had a prang and holed the radiator you would be screwed, whilst this is less of a risk on the BM.

The BM has spoked wheels, whilst I think the DL has cast: I may be wrong, but if so then on really crappy roads you could risk a busted wheel, whilst the spoked wheels are more resistant to abuse of that nature. You could spend about €800 on a set of spoke wheels, made to fit the DL, if this was a real concern.

The BM has a very powerfull generator so you can run all-sorts of gubbins as well as two heated vests!! No idea about the DL, but a previous post seemed to suggest it was a little feeble, juice-wise....

Then you have the shaft v chain debate!!

If you pack light and do not have a very stocky build, then I think the DL could well do the trick. Otherwise, although a bit ungainly in the dirt, our GS got us places I did not think I'd reach, so I was pleased: I hated sand though. Mind you I hated it on my XR400 that was literally half the weight, so there!

Both have their pros and cons. It boils down to which you like the look of, and which is most comfortable, and if you have a very good idea of the terrain you will face one may make more sense than the other....

Just to confuse you, I just bought a Honda transalp 600. Power to weight is probably about the same as the GS, it is lighter, cheaper and is very comfortable but is water cooled. Have a spin, if you get the chance!!

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

I'd agree with that. Unless you're routing thru Russia-Siberia in October or March or TDF in June, it will be a cold day in hell when she really needs heated clothing.

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http://ridefar.typepad.com

Ive spent a stupid amount of time researching this too, and i had it boiled down to a 1150GS or 650 Vstrom. And ive settled on the Vstrom.

Reasons:

More reliable, can buy alot newer for the same price, cheaper to run, lighter.
The main reason tho is that i rarely see anyone with major problems with the vstrom, whereas the beemer is nothing but complaints. Peace of mind and confidence in the machine is paramount imho.

Also, the seat height of the strom is less, and a fully loaded GS would scare me i think.

I hadnt thought about the heated vests etc, so sorry cant really comment on that, other than im sure it will easily run one heated vest for her.

best of luck to you

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For 2-up long distance the DL650 is an excellent choice. I went from Europe to Australia with one, with my girlfriend as a pillion.

And as much as I love the Africa Twin, its a way older construction, and its handling suffers more, when you really load it up. DL650 in fact carries huge weight without a problem - may be surprising, when you look at it, but it´s true. The suspension could use some upgrading, though, and also the seat. But these are easily sorted. Considering its small engine size, it is hugely capable, so it´s no wonder you hear the same thing from so many sources.

GS1150 - sure, why not, and naturally its got more power and torque, and its ride quality as stock is probably better than DL650. But I think you can get a much newer DL650 and even equip it fully (and maybe still have some travel money left in your pocket). It may look ugly, and not like a ´real´ adventure bike, but pure value for money, the Suzuki´s pretty tough to beat.