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22 Feb 2024
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Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Maitland Australia
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Bike weight conundrum
Folks, recently a number of medical issues have warranted a re-examination of the bike choice for my RTW trip, due specifically to knee and hip injuries (67 years old). Apparently the Afrca twin (2016) I have is 22 kgs lighter than the latest Yamaha Tenere 700 models (210 kgs). I would not consider a change if I was commuting or doing short trips only but for a trip in excess of 12 months, riding much more frequently, it seems to me that over a long trip particularly the lighter bike may be a distinct advantage. The payload is virtually the same for both bikes. Comments welcome.
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23 Feb 2024
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
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Eh…The Africa Twin 2016 is 22 kilos lighter than the Tenere 700???
https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mo...0twin%2016.htm
According to this specsheet the AT manual is 232 kilos and the DCT model is 242 kilos. That means the AT is considerably heavier than the Tenere 700.
I rode around the world on a +200 kilo bike and if I were to do it again I would never ever choose a bike over 200 kilos! Remember in most parts of the world the road standards, the traffic intensity and such things predicts an average speed easily kept by a 250-300 cc bike.
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23 Feb 2024
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I concur with Snakeboy.
After many bike tours riding solo on rented bikes, if I were to travel on my own bike it would be a bike less than 200kgs curb weight.
With the weight limitation set, the engine capacity would not be more than 350cc I reckon.
I would reconsider the choice of bike for your RTW trip.
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23 Feb 2024
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Bike weight conundrum
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.
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23 Feb 2024
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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 
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23 Feb 2024
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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
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14 Mar 2024
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fernbrook
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.
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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).
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25 Feb 2024
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Hello
I've only had a short tarmac testride on the Africa Twin and it felt like inbetween my XT660Z (208kg) and XT1200Z(263kg?).
For my taste to big for sandtracks.
But as said on previous posts, the weight on paper is only one thing.
Today I have a KTM890R adv, a few kg more than the XT660Z but a huge difference on sandtracks due to the low centre of mass.
(KTM 790/890adv are great concepts, but would never recommend for a RTW due to the quality of KTMs today)
Location: Maitland Australia
If you are still living there, you have all the roads/tracks one will find on a RTW within a week long trip.
Can you still handle(have fun) the bike on the roads/tracks you want to ride?
If not, go smaller/lighter, T700 or DR 650 still available?
I know that on smaller bikes than that I have no fun at all, then I rather take my bycicle.
cheers sushi
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25 Feb 2024
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Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Portugal permanent, Sweden during summer
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Travel
"I know that on smaller bikes than that I have no fun at all, then I rather take my bycicle"
Well, we travel for different reasons.
I want to see places. see fantastic views, learn about countries and cultures.
See how people live, work and eat.
Learn about the history.
And maybe get my own people to better understand other areas.
I like to interact with the local people
And learn more about myself. Pilgrimage.
Nothing of this is dependent on the amount of cc or horse power.
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26 Feb 2024
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Thanks again for all the ideas. I will research some of the suggestions folks and see where I end up. By the way, a jack is available to lift a heavy bike off the ground, so that might help people who can't lift their bikes without help. Another item to carry I know!
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26 Feb 2024
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fernbrook
By the way, a jack is available to lift a heavy bike off the ground, so that might help people who can't lift their bikes without help.
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I've seen those. There's a couple of different designs around but tbh if we've got to the stage where we need a jack to rescue a fallen motorcycle then there's something seriously wrong with our approach. In my opinion of course.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi2831
I know that on smaller bikes than that I have no fun at all, then I rather take my bycicle.
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A bicycle! Way too heavy. Dump it and buy some running shoes. Nothing beats running through the countryside. Become part of nature rather than frightening it off with all that day-glo lycra 
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27 Feb 2024
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Prior to this trip I have never considered using a jack but with arthritis in back and knees as well as a worn out knee (67yo) I have no alternative. I may not have anybody around to help you get it up, so a jack goes with me unfortunately.
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21 Mar 2024
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fernbrook
...re-examination of the bike choice for my RTW trip, due specifically to knee and hip injuries (67 years old).
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Hi Fernbrook:
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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