Advice for choosing a bike
 

Hello, I am about to ask the perennial question regarding the choice of bike for a RTW trip (in 2-3 years). I have narrowed the choice down to the F650 or the 1150 GS Adv (I would love an African twin but cannot get one in Canada)

My problem is we would be riding two-up and I know the F650 is small but so is my wife 5'2 48 kg and I am 5'11 75kg. I have tried both bikes and find the 1150 GS a little big for my skill level.

I guess my question would be which bike should I choose given I have a few years to increase my ability? I should add here that I have not rode a bike for more then 8 years and feel a bit nervous starting out on a large bike.

I appreciate any advice or comments. Thank you.

F650 - max 371kg - unladen 191kg= load 180kg
1150GS- max 459kg - unladen 243kg= load 216kg
Those are from BMW but many people overload the bikes. If you can keep your weight down the f650 will handle better in the rough and it will get better mileage.
The 1150 will carry more and have more power.
The "long way round" people broke their bikes because they had overloaded their bikes.

Just one more thing, buy a used dirt/street bike and practice.

I started riding about 5 years ago - never on a motorcycle before then (I'm 55 years young now). I consider for myself, the best return on investment for what I have spent on my motorcycling was the money spent on a Reg Pridmore C.L.A.S.S. learning to ride at speed on pavement, and 2 days at the Hechlingen BMW Enduro Training Center learning to ride on dirt (I went to Europe for an Edelweis Tour in the Alps - adding on the BMW training was just a few extra days to the vacation). I'm much more comfortable (and confident) riding on pavement after the Reg Pridmore school, and I'm also a much better off-pavement rider following the enduro training (and the bills for replacement parts are almost nothing now! - another recommendation for being money well spent).

So, if you are working on a trip 2-3 years from now, then you have lots of time to deal with your skill level. You should either plan rides that will help you gain the skills you need - or I would suggest you pay for riding lessons (like from RawHyde Adventures or similar if you are doing dirt). Money spent taking a course is much better than trying to figure it out yourself and paying to repair what you broke when you learned a lesson the hard way (and maybe not even how to do it right the next time the same situation arises).

But above all, get out and ride - as much as you can between now and when you start your RTW trip.

As to the bike, I have both an 1150GS and 650GS dakar. I've decided on the 650 for my trip starting next year. I'll be going solo so I went for lighter weight (yeah, I'll drop it and I'll need to pick it up). For 2-up, the 1150GS is probably a more suitable ride. And don't overload it with gear; your body weights are a great starting point.

I much prefer the clutch/throttle/brake control on the 1150GS than the 650GS - the feel is smoother, more positive: just a better, more solid feel. The partially-integrated braking for on dirt is great if you know how to use it (again, a class helps here) and good for riders who aren't coming from a long career of dirt riding using standard dirt-bike brakes. The ABS braking on pavement is also excellent for less-experienced riders ( you disable the ABS when you get on dirt).

So, get out and ride. If you are planning on riding off-pavement type roads, make sure you include lots of rides of that type in the next couple seasons.



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quastdog
Seattle, Washington USA
F650GSDakar
R1150GS

Thanks guys for your advice. I will definitely be taking a refresher course before I do anything.

If I could ask one more question. If I were to buy a used bike what would be the most important aspect to consider - milage, has the bike been dropped, ect?

Thanks again for your help.

Try going to "Goolge" and put in
"dual sport bike"
There is a lot of information.
Most dual sport/dirt bikes have been dropped, but there is a difference between dropped and crashed. Expect some damage on anything that sticks out. Look at the engine, transmission, frame, sub frame, wheels. Watch for repainted areas, they may have had the worst damage.

Mileage ? Some disconnect speedometers/odometers. Some crash just after the bike was new and let it set for years, low mileage is not always a good sign.
Look online for local clubs.
http://www.dualsportbc.com/

[This message has been edited by John Ferris (edited 26 September 2005).]

Things to look for in a secondhand bike?

Has it been well maintained?
Is the frame staright? Wheels round? Forks straight?

The comsmetics (scratch marks, faded paint etc) won't worry you after you have been through some mud holes and droped it yourself a few times! So don't be too picky here.

Consumables like tyres, chains, sprokets, cables, brake pads should all be assesed - but you'll probably want to put new ones on anyway before you go - ask if they have these as spares for the bike and if so include them in the deal.

Thanks everyone for the wealth of advice it certainly is appreciated.