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19 Mar 2009
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 1,028
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Cartney
I think you can spend far too much time worrying about the choice of bike. Thre are plenty of good ones out there!
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+1
It's so personal, like asking how to choose shoes. But happy to contribute
I wanted to upgrade the 88 Tenere for something modern. At the time duel sport was relatively newish.
Wanted a single, and could only really choose between 640, 650 Dakar and the DR. The last fell of immediately because it was the same as the Tenere but built new. Fell towards the 640 due to the dirt riding marketing etc. But ended up with the 650 Dakar and love it for it's available info, modern design, comfort, large capacity alternator, extra's, ABS, robust revvy motor, FI, low COG, awesome looks, heaps of plastic and alli parts (I live 50m from the beach).
Don't like the BMW bit though.
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19 Mar 2009
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
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bike choice
My search was similar and still different.
for my RTW 2 up
*reliable
*confortable
*able to carry 2 up on and off road
*easy to work on
* well known bike having done similar trip
*easy to find after market part (big tank.......)
*good look
*price
These were pretty much my requirement in order of preference
PS I heard one or two things about some final drive issue but ......
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19 Mar 2009
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,049
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My first overland choice had been the BMW R1150GS, courtesy of its cargo capabilities, comfort and relaibility for our two-up journeying! I'm glad to say it performed famously, only to let itself down in the "being slammed by a car headlong into a crash barrier" category where it, regrettably, failed to pass...
Since then I have moved to Estonia where winter riding should involve studs, so a solo was not a good choice, we have a dog, so a solo was not a good choice and I am still crap at off-roading, so a solo was not a good choice.
Result? A Ural 2WD Sportman that I am bastardising heavily on a weekendly basis, so that it can carry us both with the dog too and our luggage over all sorts of terrain. Plans to use it include Europe and Murmansk in the near term and Siberia and Cape Town in the long term.... For one man jaunts I have an XR400, with large tank and VERY thick sheepskin on the seat...
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
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20 Mar 2009
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 116
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Chosing a motorcycle is very similar to chosing a woman...
heh, could get slapped for this one.
Truth is I spent weeks and weeks like everyone else eying up different bikes, looking at stats and opinions. Then I went into a shop, saw a bike, forgot the stats and fell in love. 2005 Honda Transalp. We are 10 months into our sordid love affair and still going strong.
Like everyone says, it is a personal choice. If there was one bike perfect for the job then this part of the forum wouldn't exist. it'd just be "Which bike should I take?" and everyone would post back "DUUUUHHHH, Transalp!" (of course)
safe riding,
Ol
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20 Mar 2009
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Yorkshire UK
Posts: 106
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It's certainly odd how the whole 'perfect bike' thing works out - I spent ages reading articles on the net, looking at all the options and taking test rides etc before deciding what was the best bike for me back in July 07, now less than two years later it is probably the least favourite bike that I have ever owned. Uncomfortable on long journeys and an absolute pain to do even simple work on it's being traded in next week.
The bike, an 07 Honda Trans Alp probably just like the one that Hornet600 has - still, it would be a boring world if we all had the same tastes
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20 Mar 2009
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 994
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Aless scientific approach?
I ended up getting a copy of bike trader, looked through it and got the lowest mileage bike that looked up to the job for under 2 grand with fairly low mileage. Ended up with an Elefant 750, great bike
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20 Mar 2009
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
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I was actually looking for a used XT600 but in the end I bought a new BMW R80 GS Basic and I still use it after more then 200kkm
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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.
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What others say about HU...
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"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
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Lots more comments here!

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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.
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New to Horizons Unlimited?
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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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