Trying to find the right bike for my girlfriend.
She's 5'4 110-115lb and we're going to be leaving from western Canada and going to chili/Argentina.

I understand that the Dr cruse at 100km no problem
I also understand that the kl250 super Sherpa is a tried and tested bike that I think should do the job if u can find one 're build it and upgrade it to be tour ready. I don't know much he about the crf250 rally but it looks nice and I did see someone had started a central america trip on it (a lady on adv)
Although from what I hear Honda is hard to find parts for in those country's down south while Suzuki's are easier. Klr not much better than Honda so I hear but so many people travel on klr 650's I assume you definitely can get parts or run into someone who has what you.

Only issue is I would like her to be able to also do 100km hour at cruise, is this possible with the right gearing and upgrades?

Hi,



what about the XT250? I did about 10,000 miles across Russia and central Asia last summer, and I was very impressed by the bike. It is bullet proof.
I would recommend swapping the stock handlebars for something a little bit tougher, like Renthal.


Apart from that the (about ) 10l fuel tank was adequate, especially if your bike has a bigger fuel tank to share. I carried a 5l fuel bladder but I never needed it.


The bike is very light and low enough. Ideal for a woman. It is very easy and forgiving on tough trails.


The seat is agony though ,after few hours, but easy to fix. I used a cheap gel seat, from a horse riding range (see my website and RR) and fitted to the saddle with some elastics (haberdashery range). My fix lasted all trip and I see no reason to change that. Very comfortable and can be used as a pillow or seat!


And you will find Yamaha dealers everywhere in South America.

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Great recommendation Maria. The little Yamaha is a good one if set up right and a better seat is sourced. (Seat Concepts, Corbin, Sargent, Renazco and a few more
possibles)

Nick, what bike are you riding? Most all the good 250's can cruise at 100 km. all day and still get great fuel economy.

What is your budget? Both the KLR250 or Super Sherpa can be good travel bikes if well set up. I would NOT buy an old, high mile beater. Spend a bit more, get a nice lo mile bike. It will take a huge beating going Canada to Tierra del fuego.

I'm saving up now to buy a 250cc bike, after doing over 60,000 miles (90K km)
on my DR650. The DR650 has been great but it's HEAVY and now pretty much worn out.

I'm buying a Yamaha WR250R. Might be too tall for your girl friend. Also take close look at Honda CRF250L. Cheaper than Yamaha and ... BTW ... of Japanese brands ... HONDA has the MOST coverage throughout S. America.
Ask anyone who's done the ride.

IMO, Maria's XT250 suggestion is still the best. You can buy a NEW ONE or find a really nice used one. NO BEATERS for S. America.

Good luck, have fun! S M I L E !!!

maybe you can even find a honda ctx200 or yamaha ag200 (4 stroke) or a suzuki dr200 ... but a low milage XT250 would also be perfect. the crf250 is quite high, but it is fuel injected which is an advantage in the andes.



mika from bolivia

What is your girlfriends inseam and what is your budget? those are probably going to be the 2 deciding factors.

I would not hesitate to buy the CRF250L for my wife to ride, they are great bikes. As Mollydog says, Honda dealers and parts are plentiful in South America, so don't let that be a deciding factor. I am also keeping an eye out for a lightly used WR250 too, great little bikes, but even with a lowering link, probably still a little tall for your girlfriend.

I see you are referring to the CRF250 Rally - personally I would buy the 250L model, the Rally has a 35in seat height and although it has more suspension travel than the 250L, it has no extra power but has more weight to carry with the fairing. The 250L can be lowered easily and can be fitted with a bigger tank, an aftermarket small screen and a better seat.

Also bear in mind that after you leave the USA, your average speed will tend to drop quite a bit - unless you intend doing long days on highways through Mexico and say Chile. I think our average speed ended up being ~60 kmh for most of our South America ride.

I would however recommend that you do not 'push' her into a specific bike of your choice, let her sit on the CRF250L, the XT250 and any other bike that is suitable - and let her make the final decision, then it wont come back and bite you in the ass

__________________
Cheers
Grif

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