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15 May 2006
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: montana usa
Posts: 547
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What bike for $5000US
Wheelie has some good ideas. Unfortunately here in the US the only bikes currently available are the 650 honda, the 225 yamaha the BMW's, KTM, the suzuki 650 and the KLR 650 kawasaki, plus a few exciting but hard to find others. If you are just starting down this road get a brand new KLR 650 kawasaki and ride the wheels off it. Ride it to alaska then in june ride to the riders meeting in NC then come on out to colorado to the riders meeting in july..... leave a few days extra and come on up to montana and I will show you some neat riding. I gaurantee after talking to some other travelers and looking at their photos you will understand a bit more about this whole motorcycle/traveling experience.
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15 May 2006
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona, USA
Posts: 548
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I know that I can't say enough about these bikes, but the truth is, unless you have any experience, you will want to consider one of these to learn on. Since you will most likely go with an adventure tourer for your long trip, look into one of the many Chinese-made 200cc enduros that are available in the US on Ebay and elsewhere. Lifan has one model, the LF200GY-5, that I have seen going for $1399 shipped to your home. These are lightweight, use the standard transmission pattern (one down, 4 up), and as far as the Lifan, are EPA/DOT certified. They can be registered for the road in every state but California. The resale market is soft, and you could probably get maybe half back when you are ready to sell it, but for the price, it is worth it to keep around as a second bike. There are three groups on Yahoo that deal with Chinese bikes; ChinaBikes Group which discusses all kinds of Chinese bikes, Jetmotogroup which discusses the Jetmoto enduro and other brands' enduros, and the LF200GY group which discusses the Lifan branded enduros specifically.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ChinaBikes/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/jetmotogroup/
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/lf200gy/
Join our groups and see if these would be good learning bike alternatives for you.
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15 May 2006
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona, USA
Posts: 548
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Ryder
Wheelie has some good ideas. Unfortunately here in the US the only bikes currently available are the 650 honda, the 225 yamaha the BMW's, KTM, the suzuki 650 and the KLR 650 kawasaki, plus a few exciting but hard to find others. If you are just starting down this road get a brand new KLR 650 kawasaki and ride the wheels off it. Ride it to alaska then in june ride to the riders meeting in NC then come on out to colorado to the riders meeting in july..... leave a few days extra and come on up to montana and I will show you some neat riding. I gaurantee after talking to some other travelers and looking at their photos you will understand a bit more about this whole motorcycle/traveling experience.
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Bill,
You had mentioned that you dealt with those SA made bikes. Do you still work with those, and would those make good alternatives to Chinese bikes?
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16 May 2006
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Shropshire, Blighty
Posts: 346
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Klr 650
Cheap, light, parts easy to get & cheap, easy to work on, love you forever if you know the faults. Not the most comfortable ride I ever had, though.
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
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16 May 2006
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Gold Member
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Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Central New York
Posts: 344
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You can't beat the KLR 650. If you ride S.A. it is the ideal machine IMHO. Mine ran 30,000 miles with barely a hiccup to ToF and back.
Lightweight 331 lbs.
Generous 6.1 gal gas tank
$5199 (I think) MSRP, low mileage used models for $3500 or so
Abundance of aftermarket parts
It's a tall bike and ideal for a 6'3" frame.
More info at the www.klr650.net community & in this FAQ http://www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html
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16 May 2006
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 303
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Klr 650
Get a KLR. I am hiring them to all kinds of people here in Cape Town and even the idiots struggle to break them. Minor problems are very easy and cheap to cure.
Never get a BMW F 650 (any year model / version). They 're crap (my oppinion / my experience).
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)

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Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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