Actually the Africa Twin is a well-proven two-up bike, it works very well and is stone reliable. Especially for someone "5.8 and about 165lbs" and probably a smaller wife, I bet it's just fine.

As noted:
Yep, and far too many think they need far more bike than they really do. For long distance, rtw type riding, smaller is GOOD, in all respects.

I'm 6'1 and 175 pounds and Susan is 5'4 and we did very well on an R80G/S - not nearly as big a bike as an R11xxGS, and with LESS horsepower than an F650 - and yet it was perfect for our rtw.

What we North Americans find hard to understand is that NA is unique in the world in it's wide open streets and highways - there is far more room, wider lanes, wider and bigger everything, which makes big bikes not only easy to use, but also gives the feeling that they're "needed".

Everywhere else, a big bike is a pain in the butt. There's lots of people going rtw two-up on Tenere's and F650's and loving it.

If you're 6'3 and 250 pounds and your wife is big too, then an R11xxGS makes total sense anywhere, but otherwise for smaller people, especially under 5'10 or so, it LIMITS you to where you can go and costs more too. Don't get me wrong, the R11xxGS series is an awesome long distance touring bike and works far better than it's weight says it should - it's superbly engineered in the handling department, but that doesn't mean it's the perfect or only tool for the job.

Find a bike that FITS you, take your passenger on the back for a good ride, and see if you're comfortable. If so, go for it. Just don't forget that all your luggage is almost equal to another passenger...

I'd recommend the R1200GS over the R11xxGS for smaller people too, it's a lot lighter and lower.

Re the KTM "too small to manage 2up" in what way? Power, or space for two on the seat? My bet is that it was space on the seat, not power - it has plenty. The bike was never designed for two-up travel, but with a much better seat they have been used two-up for rtw - there's even a few masochists I can think of that are riding stock seat two-up rtw. Anything can be used and will WORK - it's what's best for YOU that matters, and we all have different criteria, experience and preferences.

Re earlier GS's, there's a huge amount of discussion on these versus the later bikes on the HUBB - use the search facility, browse the "Which bike" forum and you'll find tons of info.

And try hard to get to the Colorado HU Travellers Meeting (or Mexico) for some serious discussion on long distance travel - see the meetings page, link on left.

Hope that helps,


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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com