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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 Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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thanks for all the information guys. I guess I've got lots to look into.

I forgot to mention I was from England. At the moment I'm leaning towards buying a used bike when I get over to USA, probably a v-strom. My only worry is that I might have trouble finding one. I'm thinking of starting my trip in new York. Do you guys think it would be easy to find a vstrom second hand in NYC?
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  #2  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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The Dollar is cheap now so a bike like a Harley Sportster 883 is not very expensive.
Ride it and ship it home afterward.
When I had a Sportster 883 some years ago, I did more then 20 km on a liter so your fuel expenses won't be to high. Get some saddlebags and a backpack that you can tie to the back of the bike (a sissybar would be nice)

For touring the US, a Harley is nice and modern Harleys are much more reliable then some years ago. If you are into relaxed cruising a Sportster is fine.

Before you buy any bike, spend some weekends renting a bike and ride it for two days. Try a bike like the Suzuki V-Stom 650, a BMW F650, a Harley Sportster and maybe a Yamaha Diversion 600 or a Suzuki Bandit. Then you can find out for yourself what suits you best.
Better spend some money renting bikes then buying a bike that you don't like after two weeks on the road.
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  #3  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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US trip in 2011
If you just started riding then my suggestion is not to get yourself all wound up in too much overcomplicated and detailed planning for 3 years hence.Of course keep your eyes and ears open for all possible info .
Go out there next summer and ride whatever bike you have around England and on the European mainland first to get yourself sorted out. Find out about basic bike maintenance now, it will be the same when you get to the States.Then in a year or two you can think about what bike seems suitable to you and check out their availability in the US .Your budget should be enough for the whole trip, but economic conditions can change in 3 years. Currently figure on an average of $60 to $70 per day for normal expenses
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  #4  
Old 13 Dec 2007
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My 2 cents: don`t wait 3 years fot travelling, just buy anything with 2 wheels and ride. Many things can happen while planning, I mean, planning is OK, but too much planning.....
As someone once told: Adventure begins when things don`t go as planned.
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  #5  
Old 14 Dec 2007
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Used bikes
To get an idea of prices go to craigs list dot com and look under motorcycles they have listings for states and citys.
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  #6  
Old 15 Dec 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 7strings View Post
At the moment I'm leaning towards buying a used bike when I get over to USA, probably a v-strom. My only worry is that I might have trouble finding one.
If the new BMW 800GS arriving at US Dealerships in Spring of 2008 is the major hit a lot of people think it may be, you should have little problem finding a good used VStrom, KLR, F650, etc. when you do your trip in 2011.
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Old 15 Dec 2007
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If your looking for an already set-up adventure bike, go here:Adventure Rider Motorcycle Forum and go to the flea market. For your budget you could consider a used and farkled BMW 650 Dakar.
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