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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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Old 5 Sep 2018
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Bike for African Trip
Here's a link to a guy who's been touring the African continent for about the last 9 months - Honda CRF250L - seems to have served him well. Light is right in his case ...

I have had a DR650 and a KLX250 - currently on a DRZ400S - DR was a bit too heavy for ugly roads (mud, sand) for my skill level fully loaded for travel/camping (YMMV)- but really good on the tarmac - KLX was under powered for the road and in my area (much of my riding is at altitude) - great off-road - light and easy to handle or pick up - hazard on the tarmac in the western US where speed limit is 75mph to get to the dirt- so settled on the DRZ - safe enough on the road and a reasonable compromise off road with enough power for my riding - tons of after market support, reasonably cheap for lightly used models, known fixes for most any issue and I can pick it up solo when it takes a nap ...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW9...KXFoufw/videos

Best

EDIT - And ... this is a really old post that I replied to ... 2015! - but ... what the heck - Ill leave it up as the link is relevant in any case - cheers!
Last edited by outwestrider; 5 Sep 2018 at 07:06. Reason: from 2015! oops!
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Old 5 Sep 2018
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Yea, long dead thread. Shame how many drift through Hubb, ask for advice ...
and then disappear for good.

Your DRZ400 choice is a good one if you can get it comfortable enough for longer paved road riding. I bought a DRZ400E (off road only version) new in 2001. Good all round bike. Never traveled on mine much, used as "dirt bike" for Desert and Enduro work. Did one Baja ride (trucked it down)

Also spent plenty of time riding the DRZ400S. I was not a fan riding it on fast paved roads. But for 3rd world riding, has to be near perfect if set up right.

Since I have dirt bike/enduro competition background, I manage my DR650 more of less OK. Even in deep Baja sand and rocky tracks I've done OK. But it IS hard to pick up! (bring help!) A carefully set up DR650 can be pretty good off road ... but still heavier than your DRZ400S.
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