Hold everything! I have made a mistake!! Of course the Africa twin is heavier than the Tenere 700! I was just checking to see if you were all paying attention! Well done. You have all passed the test! Seriously, I meant that the Tenere is lighter than the A /T ( by about 22 kgs for the non-DCT and more for the DCT version. My question still stands though... for a 1-2 year trip across various terrains, is the weight reduction important enough with the Tenere to warrant selling an A/T (2016) already set up with stiffer front and rear suspension, custom - made seat, improved screen , better headstock bearings etc. Anyone done the 'swap' or similar? How did it go? Apologies for the boo boo previously.

Am thinking good fuel economy , spares , don't need more then say 80 mph tops........then add ur luggage . Think the other fellas are about right 250 - 300 cc

This is where a C90 / CT110 or similar comes in - easy to get on and off, and about the lightest bike that can cruise at 50mph. Also, they look damn sexy.

Having run into wiped out roads on my 105Kg Tango, I've said I don't want to go to remote places on anything heavier than that ... my other half once pushed it 8km to get petrol without problems, wouldn't want to do that with a bigger bike, lol

__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...

Yes, lighter bikes if suitable are the way to go. I once pushed a KTM 950 adv. 6 kms to obtain fuel. Hard work! I need the higher payload though and a smaller bike probably won't provide that. Also, I need decent highway speed as most of the trip will be on tar. The Tenere 700 wasn't available when I bought the A/T, so at the time it was the bike for me. I'm 105 kgs so a fair margin of the weight allowance is gone before I add a tent, camping supplies and other gear. I appreciate the comments though.

Good point, gotta cut the purse to suit the pocket and all that ... one thing I would say is that I found the new Ténéré (and the old XT660Z) to be very top-heavy so although it's got less weight over all it might not be any easier to handle than your AT ... my other half currently has a Himalayan 411 and with it's low CoG it feels less unwieldy to pick up or park than the Ténéré, though it'd be a tad slow for your tastes since you only get a cruising speed of 100kph or so (riding two-up with luggage doesn't phase it though).

__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...

There's a balance to be struck IMO. Heaver, more powerful bikes do well at road touring, and small ones are better off road. The converse is true and frankly in a RTW trip where you could encounter all sorts of road conditions, I'd err on the lighter side. You don't want to be picking up a monster on your own in the middle of the Gobi. Equally 1,000 road miles on a 250 trail bike could get a bit wearing.

As a 68 year old bloke with a recent metal hip I can't speak too highly of KTM's 790 Adventure. Good tank range, low CG and reasonably low seat height, capable on or off road. My only reservation is that it carries a lot of electronics and from personal experience if something sparky does go wrong you need dealer diagnostics to sort it.

One I'd also consider is the new Honda 775 Transalp. A fair bit lighter than the AT and similar power. Or the (also new) T700 Explore - shorter suspension than the standard Tenere for a lower seat, which I thought was too high on the base model when I owned one.

I'm not sure there are any "real middleweights" I'd recommend right now. They all seem to be "adventure styled" with cast wheels and low exhausts.

All things being equal I'd go for a middleweight if I could, as it probably gives the best of both worlds. As it stands my trip this year will be on a 10 year old XT660Z. Awesome tank range, bulletproof engine, fairly electrically simple. Still a bit tall and heavy but sadly there are no unicorns.

Weight is important.

The rest will always be a compromise. And we have all different things that are important.

Only you can make that compromise that fits you best.

I am also old and have operated hips.
=> I do not want high bikes and I do not want heavy bikes.
But I want bolt on luggage system.

My friends in Colombia thinks that Honda XRE 300 is the best travel bike.
https://www.honda.com.br/motos/adven...ail/sahara-300
But it is not available in Europe

I prefer Himalayan. Heavier. But the weight is low. (Center of Gravity)
It can handle almost everything.
And it is ready as it is. No need for major modifications.
Including Aluminium luggage system.
OK. 20 kg less would make it even better.
I only wish it had tubeless tires. (comes as option for the new model)
(So much easier)

I did 31 000 km on mine in South America
My friend has done 40 000 km
No issues.

My wish list.

• 400 cc
• 30 hp
• 150 kg
• Tube less tires
• Max seat hight 825 mm
• Bolt on aluminium panniers + top case

Not easy to find.

===
Alternative ???
https://youtu.be/HM05mJaCGYs?si=VZh_uRkPHIJgSPuS
==

On asphalt with lots of freeway heavy is fine. The only problem is fuel economy. In a RTW, fuel costs add up. Downsizing for the benefit of weight is a good choice (single cylinder) but covering the globe is far more comfortable on a twin cylinder. As for which twin, that depends on budget, weight, hp, reliability and the types of roads you plan to ride. Be realistic with what the bike can reliably handle as breakdowns while travelling are not the same when cose to home.

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).