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BMW F650 instead of my R1250GS BMW F650 instead of my R1250GS
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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 Erling Foshaugen, Curious kid in the Omo Valley, Ethiopia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Erling Foshaugen,
Curious kid in the Omo Valley, Ethiopia



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  #1  
Old 4 Weeks Ago
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Lightbulb BMW F650 instead of my R1250GS
Hi, Planning a 3 month trip for 2025 from UK to Armenia and back over 3 months.

Reluctant to take the new GS as it's dam heavy and I am on my own. I'm not wandering far from normal roads but I'm not sure how much hassle of have a bike bike whilst alone so I was thinking of getting an old F650. Kit that out, I dont hav eto worry about dropping it etc.

I have toyed with RE Himalayan as well.

Your thoughts?

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  #2  
Old 3 Weeks Ago
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If you’re not wandering far from normal roads then riding to Armenia and back will be no different to riding around the UK.
Perhaps I’m jumping too far ahead and apologies if I am but when you say the 1250 is dam heavy it’s sounds like you’re struggling with it anyway.
If this is the case then instead of buying an old, unknown quantity perhaps sell the 1250 and buy a lighter/smaller bike for your every day ride and take it on the trip.
I’m in a slightly similar position myself: planning a long trip with a lot of off road and feel my 1200 is too big - one option I’m not keen on is buying an older bike for the trip.
On our last trip my wife bought a nearly new 411 Himalayan then sold it after the trip. It was great on the 20K mile trip - I’d do the same for my next trip but the bike’s too low for me.
Hope it all works out for you
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  #3  
Old 3 Weeks Ago
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Hi Fliflop,

i mostly on road, well thats the plan so the GS would be idal. I meant its heavy if iwas out on a dirt track on my own and dropped it, I might struggle with getting back up. I'm probably over thinking it.

I am looking at the RE Himi as this could be an option, cheap bike, dont worry about it too much, probably cheaper and easier to insure for a longer trip.

I'll keep mulling over the issue.

Waffey
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  #4  
Old 3 Weeks Ago
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Hi Waffey
I took my 1200gs from Canada to Patagonia - I was over thinking it too but in the end I went for the cheapest option, which was the bike in my shed.
We did plenty of gravel travel but didn’t go looking for hard stuff and the bike was perfect.
Hopefully I’ll be heading to the Stans next year so maybe see you on the road.
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  #5  
Old 3 Weeks Ago
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Bike ?
"Your thoughts?"

Probably as many as there are riders......
The best bike is the one the you like and feel confortable with.
I have used both Himalayan and Suzuki DL 650 XT for long distance travel.
Both did their work excellent. And i like both of them.

Himalayan if you plan to ride some more tricky roads.
The Suzuki is not a trail bike. But I am very comfortable riding in on gravel/dirt roads. And it is better on faster roads

Both were equiped with Alu cases.
The Suzuki had luggage equipment from SW Motech.
You can see that they mount rather low. One is outside of the exhaust system =>
One 37 liters and one 45 liters => symetric
Many "adventyre bikes" have the luggage very high => Bad
And Mitas E-07 Tires 50/50
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  #6  
Old 3 Weeks Ago
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I recently picked up a KLE500.

Really surprised - it does most things pretty well.

They are not popular so pretty cheap.
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  #7  
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The 650 is still heavy as adventure bikes go (or can go) but it's got to be better than an unwieldy monster that's only at home on motorways. Honestly, if Ewan and Charley hadn't set the fashion years ago nobody would even be considering them now.
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  #8  
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I rode 3 different rental bikes in Georgia, Artsakh, and Armenia (and one of my own in Turkey, but that was long ago): an Africa Twin (too tall, top-heavy and complex), an older F650 (too short and somewhat anemic), and a Canadian KLR 650 (just right, per Goldilocks). i’m no expert and no longer a bold adventurer, but in all 3 countries there were rough tracks begging to be ridden, along with the ones I ran into by accident. To have avoided these due to too large a bike would have been a real shame and seriously limited my trip.

Note: just a single data point. But I’d suggest not falling into the “I’ll stay on paved roads…” trap.
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  #9  
Old 2 Weeks Ago
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This is an overland forum and I can understand why so many posters are obsessed with lightweight adventure bikes - but the OP is going on a road trip across Europe and Turkey.
In general the road conditions in the countries he will be travelling through are much better than the UK, mainly due to a combination of weather and heavy use.
My opinion is he could take any bike - my wife rode around the Balkans in 2000 on a 600 Bandit with camping gear.
If you were riding to The north of Scotland and you’d take your GS then take it to Armenia and use the money you’ve saved on the trip.
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  #10  
Old 2 Weeks Ago
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Downsize
If you wnat to go down in size from GS 1250.
There are many bikes in the 450-500 segment.
(Maybe due to the popularity of Himalayan)

* Royal Enfield Himalayan (as you mentioned)
* And do not forget the old Himalayan 411. A used one in good condition. (Both me and my friend that have done a lot of riding on the 411, would not change to the new 450. Due to that the new one ismore top heavy)
* Voge 550 DSX (More "road" orineted). Can include aluminium panniers and top case. Comes with everything included. That you have to add extras on most other bikes. E.g. Honda)
* CF Moto 450 (Similar to Himalayan)
And ....

Nathan gives objective views and he is a very exprienced rider/traveller.

https://youtu.be/hyRt8FUY4Do?si=8WRFGsGzGKkL5KSg

https://www.youtube.com/@nathanthepostman


Since you are in UK. Maybe you can go to Devon and test ride them back to back.

But I agree. Don't overdo it.
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  #11  
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Thanks for all the reply's. My mind is made up. It's the 1250, thats what I bought it for.......adventures.
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  #12  
Old 28 Minutes Ago
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Hi Waffey: I think you have got to a good conclusion!

When I started off for West Africa I agonised (as you are doing) over whether to bring my trusty 1150GS or my KTM690 enduro. Then my wife said...if you want me to come travel part of the route with you, it's got to be the big old GS!

In the event I rode 40,000kms around the circumference of Africa on the GS, and only dropped it once...in deep sand riding 2 up

Just one caution...the Armenian roads were terribly potholed (in 2015 mind you) so watch where you go
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