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2 Feb 2016
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Join Date: Oct 2015
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Thanks for all this information....we are going to look @ the 250's. We have off road experience but limited to messing about on dirt bikes in the outback and not a great deal of it. We are not planning off road to any great extent but as you mentioned, it's going to be there and we need to have the capability to manage it (will put in some practice Km's in Aussie prior).
The DR650 we had seriously looked @ but the height is still a tad over 800 seat height  Interesting thought re the Sporty's, but feel that HD reliability is too questionable, as experienced enough issues on our around Oz trip.
Good point re the F700GS BMW and questionable fuel.....Lots to think of here.
FYI, reason we were shipping to SA is re bike set up and have family in Central America and thinking to leave bikes with and then return for another trip....even RTW eventually?
Cheers for your comments
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2 Feb 2016
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
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Hi Guys,
The first thing Id look at is your time frame for the trip, if you have a long time to ride then then as the guys have said, I'd go with Honda CRF250L or buy 250 Tornado's in South America, if you have 6 months and you want to travel all around South America then Id go with something in the ~600cc class. Also if you plan on riding around North America later on and you have limited time then a ~600cc might be better. If time is no problem go with the 250's and keep off the freeways, you will NEVER wish your bike was bigger and heavier, the CRF250L is a great bike.
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2 Feb 2016
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R.I.P.
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozon Twowheels
Thanks for all this information....we are going to look @ the 250's. We have off road experience but limited to messing about on dirt bikes in the outback and not a great deal of it. We are not planning off road to any great extent but as you mentioned, it's going to be there and we need to have the capability to manage it (will put in some practice Km's in Aussie prior).
The DR650 we had seriously looked @ but the height is still a tad over 800 seat height  Interesting thought re the Sporty's, but feel that HD reliability is too questionable, as experienced enough issues on our around Oz trip.
Good point re the F700GS BMW and questionable fuel.....Lots to think of here.
FYI, reason we were shipping to SA is re bike set up and have family in Central America and thinking to leave bikes with and then return for another trip....even RTW eventually?
Cheers for your comments 
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Keep in mind the DR650 seat height can easily be lowered 2 inches using lowering links. (about $40 USD)
To match with the front, you simply raise fork tube UP in triple clamps. We've set up DR650's for Women 5' 2. Feet in the floor!
Try one out, lots of knowledge on the DR650 in Oz, lots of support and expertise. One Ozzie expert is here, read all doctor grey's posts on the DR Riders forum or ask questions.
DR650 adventure series: putting lipstick on the bush pig! : Moto-Hollywood - Page 2
Good move to practice off road a bit in Oz before departure
If you have the money then ship bikes over. (add about $2000 USD per bike to budget)
Great planning, have fun. Do test rides, see what you come up!
 
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4 Feb 2016
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
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I think you may be overthinking it all a bit. You will have to actively seek dirt roads in CA and SA and most are relatively smooth. I'm riding a huge Victory cruiser and I'm in Ecuador now, having ridden from New York City.
I don't recommend the 250 bikes because not a day has gone by on this trip that I haven't run for at least an hour at over 100 kph. Not being a sitting duck is priceless
Most any bike with some aggressive tires can handle whatever Latin America can throw at it. If someone is short, try a Honda Shadow 750, they need nothing and will make it with just oil and tire changes.. The usual KLDR650s are fine, So are GS500s, Vulcan 750 etc.. Buy in the US where it is cheap. Spend no more than $2000 on a trip ready bike and don't sweat it.
This guy paid $700 for his bike in CA leather type saddlebags and everything. He's had no trouble so far going to Argentina.
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4 Feb 2016
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R.I.P. - 2020
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cotes d'Armor, France.
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The best bike for you is the one you feel happy with. What do you like? what suits you? You can do long distance trips on just about anything today, from C 90 Honda cub's to the often quoted Electraglide of Peter and Kay Forwood. Most opiners quote what suited them, or what they believe to be the ideal transport. There is a huge choice out there and it may be entirely different for you. If you like your F 700 and it suits your riding style/budget/planned route, then use it. You can get bogged down in the detail as other have said, and you may end up chosing the wrong thing based on opinion rather than suitability.
__________________
-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' ( www.lltgl.org.uk)
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