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...

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

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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http://www.motorcycleodyssey.co.uk

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

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

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

Its interesting that most members so far, me included when considering the XR, just plumbed for what looked capable and available at the time but do not seem at all disappointed by their choices!

I find that quite encouraging: a small reminder that its the rider and what you experience that makes a trip, rather than purely the bike

It just goes to show, in my opinion, that spec sheets are a bit of a waste of time, other than the simple pre-purchase therapy of window shopping and licking one's lips at the prospect.

Perhaps the next time a newbie poster gets embroiled in a storm of opinions we should direct them here and point out: "See? If you get what you like for the money you've got, you'll figure the rest out for yourself..."

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Curiously enough I'm going through this very process at the moment, I'm trading in my stalwart Kawasaki GT550 and upgrading to something more versatile.

After reading the forums and drooling over one, I'm probably going for a XT660Z which appears to be a happy medium of good quality and a bike that I like the look of.


Heh, and no need for the redirect Warthog.

Perhaps it is also something to do with pre-internet era, when older members bought their bikes? I imagine back then things were a bit simpler. The less information (or choice) you have, perhaps more happy you are. If you don't read endless reviews and opinions on forums and just go to a shop, buy a bike that *you* like (not someone else recommends) and be satisfied... Nowadays if you start reading forums about diffrent opinions you just can easily go nuts.

Mine was slightly different as I'm only licenced to ride a 125cc. That kind of cut down on the tourer/dual sport options for a start, and then I live in rural Brittany - France, which cuts down both the number of dealerships and the number of secondhand bikes.

So having posted on here about what to look out for I set out with a small shopping list - Honda Varadero, Honda CG125, Suzuki Vanvan, Yamaha XT125 and Derbi Terra/Terra Adventure.

I had a test ride on the cheaper bikes to start with but found them a bit cramped and quite frankly a bit slow, also the fact that luggage was going to be a top box and throw overs kind of put me off - having watched E&C slog through the mud on their GSes I was of course convinced I needed aluminium luggage. I took a test ride on the Vara after and it was a great bike, but expensive (I could have done a biking course and my test for the premium) and also on the Derbis.

But what really swung it was the reception I, a new biker, got in the dealerships. Sure I didn't have the foggiest idea what I was asking, sure my helmet looked a bit old, and my bikers jacket was definately borrowed, but hey at least I went equipped for a test ride and at least I had my chequebook ready.

Mr Honda was sniffy with me, kept breaking off to chat to people he obviously knew as they came in, said I could have a quick once round the block test ride and positively laughed at me when I mentioned the touring word.

Mr (and Mrs) Derbi didn't, they answered all my questions, they patiently listened to my dreams, they laughed with me at the mouldy smell in my helmet, they offered me a coffee, they said I was more than welcome to borrow the demo for the 2 hours while they were shut for lunch, they suggested some nice roads to try it out on and they gave me their mobile number in case I got bored/scared/in an accident while they were lunching.

And that's why I ended up with a Derbi Terra Adventure.

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