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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 Ulrike Hahnel, Rock Formations on the Lagune Route, Bolivia

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


Photo by Ulrike Hahnel,
Rock Formations on the
Lagune Route, Bolivia



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  #1  
Old 13 Oct 2019
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Compiling a list
Hi.
I’d like suggestions for my bike research list please.
Must have:
500 - 800cc
Fuel injection
19” or 21” front wheel
Must be:
Under 200KG - wet weight
Able to be bought for less than £4.5K
A large manufacturer for parts accessibility
Recognised for a general degree of reliability

Please, no suggestions out of these criteria - I don’t want to get into big v small etc.. thanks for your understanding.

Many thanks for your suggestions.
Last edited by Flipflop; 13 Oct 2019 at 14:03.
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  #2  
Old 13 Oct 2019
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Did you mean 100kg - there aren’t too many bikes under that weight?

Also are you talking new or used?
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Old 13 Oct 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Benson View Post
Did you mean 100kg - there aren’t too many bikes under that weight?

Also are you talking new or used?
Sorry, under 200KG - wet weight. Thanks for pointing that out.
Must be available for under £4.5K - so I assume used.
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Old 13 Oct 2019
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Honda CB500X 2019 would fit your criterias but it will be hard to find one for 4,5 K £.
Its fuel injected
Its 197 kilos kerb weight
Its a Honda so reliability should be great.
It has a 19’ front wheel.
Its almost 500 cc
https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/...fications.html
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Old 14 Oct 2019
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Yamaha XT660R

Will fit your criterias.

EFI
21’ front wheel
Wet weight 181 kilos
Made by a major manufactorer.
A certain known reliability.

I dont know the second hand prices in your country but most certainly it should be possible to find one for less than 4500 £.

https://bikez.com/motorcycles/yamaha_xt660r_2012.php
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Old 14 Oct 2019
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Thanks Snakeboy - the list begins
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Old 14 Oct 2019
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Bmw f700gs
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Old 15 Oct 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Benson View Post
Bmw f700gs
It is more than 200 kgs wet weight... https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mo...700gs%2013.htm
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Old 16 Oct 2019
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KTM 690 Enduro/Enduro R

Not the latest models as you wont get them for less than 4500 £, but for a year ~ 2010 I guess you will be able to find one for that price.

Its EFI
Its around 150 kilos wet. And a little more when you have added a bigger fuel tank and filled it up, because the stock tank is only 12 liters and thus inadequate for long distance riding.
Its a known brand - KTM
Its reliable??? I dont have any personal experience....

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mo...uro_r%2009.htm
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Old 16 Oct 2019
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BMW F650GS/Dakar

Should be within your criteria

Its EFI
Dakar edition has 21’ front wheel, the GS has 19’
Wet weight around 192 kilos
Should be quite reliable afaik but dont have any personal experience with those models.
As it is a BMW should be able to get parts in most parts of the civilised world (?)
And a 10 year old bike should definetively be available for 4500 £.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_...ingle-cylinder
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Old 16 Oct 2019
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BMW F650GS - a shade under 200kg fueled up.

The F800GS is slightly over 200kg when fueled up.
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Old 16 Oct 2019
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ktm 500 exc with 15 liter acerbis tank or ktm 690 enduro r,
can't get any lighter then that.



and BTW My ktm 500 exc is as reliable as my xt660z tenere,
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Old 16 Oct 2019
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Thank you lads.
I was hoping this thread would throw up a few bikes not on my radar. Those KTMs for example.
That 500 sounds good, I’ll look into it.
Keep em coming
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Old 16 Oct 2019
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Husqvarna te630 149kg dry (don't know the wet weight off hand), or it's heavier offspring SWM RS650 196kg wet. Best gearbox ratios in the business. BIG tanks available for the TE in Australia.
Maybe they don't count as "large" manufacturers?


But haven't you built the perfect bike already;-) ?
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Old 16 Oct 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mossproof View Post
But haven't you built the perfect bike already;-) ?
I can do a simple service - that’s about it as far as spanners go I’m afraid.
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