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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 Giovanni Lamonica, Aralsk, Kazakhstan.

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


Photo by Giovanni Lamonica,
Aralsk, Kazakhstan.



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  #16  
Old 18 Jan 2020
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I don't get it. If your A2 license allows you to ride anything up to 47 bhp, why would you be thinking of riding 2-up on a 125? My KLR 650--not available in Europe, I know--makes something like 38bhp, and people ride it heavily-laden all over the world, including 2-up. Other thumpers of that era are similar. What am I missing?
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  #17  
Old 18 Jan 2020
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Hi Mark, I was suggesting riding 2up on the crf250l not on a 125cc. There is also a power to weight ratio limit of 0,2 kW/kg to take into account... I will check the specifics of the KLR but I was under the impression that this pretty much narrows down my choice to most 250/300ccs, and a few 400 and 500cc motorbikes. I'd love to be wrong though!
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  #18  
Old 19 Jan 2020
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Quick cut and paste from the first Google result:

The Kawasaki KLR650 was a single cylinder, four-stroke Enduro motorcycle produced by Kawasaki between 1987 and 2018. It could reach a top speed of 93 mph (149 km/h). Max torque was 36.88 ft/lbs (50.0 Nm) @ 5500 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 43.99 HP (32.8 KW) @ 4500 RPM.

I don't know how to feed the KLR weight into your formula (Wet weight? Dry weight? Tested power? Manufacturer's claimed power? At specified RPMs? Etc.).

I'm not trying to single out the KLR: there are also lots of DR650s, XR650s, XT660s, plus a smattering of 250s from various brands. I'm just suggesting you're not necessarily limited to wee little bikes. I've spent some time on Honda 250s, and of course they could be ridden 2-up, but I doubt either of you would be very comfortable.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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  #19  
Old 19 Jan 2020
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Hi Mark, I owe you one!! So the KLRs and DRs 650 specifically are not suitable for A2 riders but after your message yesterday I did some more research and found out that there are indeed older bikes in the 600cc range that I could ride. Among others, the Honda dominator and the XT600E. Even the 660 Tenere! So that was super helpful! We are now considering traveling two up on a bigger bike... I’ll let you know how it goes!




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  #20  
Old 19 Jan 2020
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I travel two up on Honda Dominator since 2010 and I never found a better bike for the job.

I have some ride reports even here on the hubb:

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...pictures-73836
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...a-2014-a-77937
https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...caucasus-88850

I did some more trips 2up on that bike but I have not published ride reports: there are some pictures on fb..

I always liked CRF250 Rally and I considered buying one.
In 2018 I rented one in Thailand and rode 2up for around a week: I decided to remain with the Dommie...
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  #21  
Old 23 Jan 2020
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nice one thanky-you crisidsto! I may send you a direct message and ask for a few extra info if you dont mind
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  #22  
Old 6 Feb 2020
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This applies to me so may be of no use to you.
My wife gets bored as a pillion so if we were to do a long trip 2 up it would have to be a bike she could ride, then we could take turns.
Think objectively about how different your partner would feel if she rode the trip or was pillion.
I’d go for the 2 bikes - carry more stuff, both more comfortable and both with an equal sense of achievement/enjoyment.
If you go 2 up the Royal Enfield Himalayan May suit.
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