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Mhhh.... 110 kgs, arthritis, bust knee, back problems :(
It's a question of weight in every aspect. You need a bike to carry you plus luggage, and you need a bike light enough to pick up after dropping it :innocent: Two cylinder bikes are IMHO a good choice for long distance travelling: Enough power, smooth engines, but even the Tenere weighs too much for a sore back. So the alternative is a small, light bike. I had a test ride on a KTM 390. 160 kg, just under 40 hp. I'm 183 cm tall and felt comfortable on it. Besides that its got alloy rims, meaning that punctures are easy to fix. Last year I swapped bikes with a South African and (first time ever) travelled on a 660 Tenere. Jeez, I enjoyed the trip. A very capable bike, but as mentioned above, top-heavy and net weight is around 210 kg. Me, I'm riding a F650GS twin, and I'm a decade older than you, but I still manage to pick it up without removing the luggage. It is much lower than the XTZ 660 and about the same weight. But with back problems I'd take a close look at the little KTM or for rougher pistes the 300cc Honda. My two cents worth |
As always this question is not about the bike but about you - and mainly your personality.
A RTW trip can and has, been done on any bike from moped to Goldwing. What do you really want to do? A suggestion, if I may. Make a sliding scale of ‘as max dirt as possible’ to 100% road and put a realistic mark where you stand. Then think about how you stand on compromise. Then think about your temperament. Then correlate that with your riding ability. Hopefully that will help you decide whether a big or small bike will be best for you. I shall give myself as an example: My choice was the 1200gs in my garage A T700 CRF300 Rally Using the technique above and financial considerations made me choose the 1200gs and it was perfect. |
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On a previous RTW attempt, my Triumph weighed 270 kg without a full tank of gas and a 50L duffle with clothing/toiletries etc.. https://photos.app.goo.gl/7nsYw2ECsJW6uGnp7 It was heavy and gas consumption was noticeable, especially when I got to Europe. Eventually downsized to a Rally Raid Honda CB500X (currently for sale in the classifieds) and this was a far better choice overall. This Honda is reliable, lighter, sips gas and the 500cc is enough hp to cover long distances without feeling the fatigue of a single cylinder. I've ridden a Tenere and it's got a lot more torque and hp but the CB500X was for me the best overall choice (lower base price and operating cost with enough hp for the roads I plan to travel). |
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You sound a lot like me. I'm 69, and due to development of arthritis in one hip I have had to give up riding on my Honda ST 1100 & ST 1300. Over the past 25 years, I've ridden over 250,000 km on that ST 1100 in Europe, and I am going to really miss it. I'm without a motorcycle now for the first time since I was 16. You didn't mention what kind of roads you plan to ride on. If you plan to travel on paved roads, then I think a bike in the 500 cc range would be suitable. I would not recommend anything smaller than 500 cc if you plan to do a lot of highway riding. I think that seat height is a critical consideration if you have knee & hip issues. The lower the seat height, the easier a time you will have, not just mounting & dismounting, but paddling around in parking lots, etc. I would not bother with a jack to pick the bike up if it topples. You will always be able to find someone to assist if you wait a bit (assuming you are not off-roading). Let me know how your research & decision-making plays out, I am keenly interested. Michael |
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