Quote:
Originally Posted by LoloPD
Hi fellow adventurers. I have a dilemma with which bike to buy.
I'm an English ex-pat almost at retirement age, and having sold my trustee VFR750 several years ago I want to do some adventuring on my home island of Palawan, Philippines.
The choice is between a VERY low mileage (4800km) 2011 BMW G650GS loaded with lots of extras (crash bars, Givi top box and rack, skid plate, radiator guard, headlight guard etc. etc) BUT at a seemingly very expensive Php530,000 (US$10,000) or the much cheaper NEW Kawasaki Versys 650 at a mere Php380,000 (US$7600).
Now I know bikes are ridiculously expensive in Philippines (thanks to a 30% import duty), but the asking price of the BMW seems HUGE!
In my experience the 'extras' which the owner is using to bump-up the price can't be 100% added onto the 'value' of a used bike. They just help to sweeten the deal.
As I'm going to be doing 70% touring (with my wife on pillion) and 30% occasional gravel road, even if I could get the price down on the G650GS, what's people's opinion of spending more on a 2011 BMW as opposed to a NEW Kawasaki?
Crazy or worthwhile?
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So, you want a bike to do Two Up touring ... on an Island? Do you plan to leave the Island at all? Seems smaller bikes could work OK ... one for each of you. (low cost as well!)
The BMW G650 is clearing over priced and very heavy with all the added extras on it ... most of which you may not need if circumnavigating a small island.
For your planned use, I would not pay for a new Versys either. Better buy a nice used bike.
With all the smallish Chinese and Indian Imports around maybe you would be better off buying 2, 250cc bikes? You ride one, your partner rides the other. Just a thought. The latest 250cc ADV dual sport bikes are pretty good and FUN!
Also, if you really want a project, look into riders who are taking older Versys
650's and converting them to ADV dual sport bikes. Google is your friend or look the thread over on ADV Rider about riders doing projects with the early Versys bikes. They do really well once modified. The new ones are not as good
for a ADV bike.
Ride a few different bikes, see which ones work for you. Maybe you can get your wife riding too? Women ride all over Asia, so why not? 
Last edited by mollydog; 23 Jun 2017 at 05:06.
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