Should I swap my bike now the missis is coming along ??

[*Touring Ted*]

Hey folks…

I would value your opinions on this subject.

I was all set to go for my 6 month South American trip and then I ended up getting back with my old partner.
She’s a keen biker although only just passed her test and now wants to join me on my trip.
I’ve got an XR650R and I’m wondering whether to sell it (at a big loss I guess) so I can get the same bike as the missis. Probably BMW F650 etc (anything with a comfy seat, electric start and good for beginners etc). I don’t think she could handle an XR due to its height and hard kick start.

I know it’s always best to travel on the same bikes as each other but I don’t want to lose out on the prep work iv done the XR.

[Matt Cartney]

I'm not sure I get this thing about having to travel on the same bikes. Presumably you chose the XR as it was the ideal bike for you? Why ride a bike that's not the ideal bike just to save a bit on spares. And how many spares are you really going to have to carry that are not good for both?
As you were presumably going to have to carry all the spares when you were travelling alone, why is it now a problem when you can give half the tools/tent/cooking gear/first aid kit/etc to the other half? Personally, I'd get the right bike for her and hang on too the XR.
Matt
Afterthought: Do get bikes of roughly similar performance, touring with bikes where this is very different is a apin in the butt!

[This message has been edited by Matt Cartney (edited 23 January 2006).]

[Grant Johnson]

See this thread for more on this subject.

Also - if she's not happy, you're both not happy! So whatever you two ride, she has to have what works for her.

Re the XR - I assume that with an XR you were planning on lots of off-road gnarly tracks in the middle of nowhere? As a beginner rider, is she going to be able to ride those tracks on ANYthing? So if she isn't what's the point of you on an XR? You're not going to use it where it's supposed to be used, so you will be putting up with an uncomfortable ride on the highway or "good off-highway" sections which will be her limit. (at least to start - and don't push her too hard - that's a quick route to a miserable trip for BOTH and a divorce/split! DO send her to an off-road school - BMW does a good one and there are lots more)

I'd recommend same bikes for all the usual reasons discussed in the link above - and on this trip just plan on an easy intro to adventure touring for her - one that she will ENJOY for sure and want to do AGAIN - NEXT trip maybe a pair of XR's or similar - perhaps with an electric start. KLR650's come to mind.

Someone's going to want a prepped XR...

hope that helps... (not the cheapest route maybe, but I think the best LONG-TERM.)

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

[*Touring Ted*]

Well.. the thing is, now shes coming along, im going to have to cut out all the knarly stuff and go for a bit more luxury. She just wont be happy doing the rough stuff and as you say, if she aint happy, then WE wont be happy. I only got and prepped the XR as i was going to do this knarly stuff and although im happy to cruise highways on it, there are much better bikes for that task.

I just dont know whether its worth cutting my losses and getting the same bikes (more road orientated) or suffer the rattle and high maintenance of an XR when i wont be using it for what it was intended for.

[Grant Johnson]

and how much extra hassle ON THE ROAD re maintenance of one high maintenance XR and a medium maintenance whatever are YOU willing to put up with - while she's off shopping?

(ducking and hiding from the slings and arrows of the ladies)

My ideal is little to no maintenance on the road - but on a long tour no choice - so keep it as low and EASY as possible with two identical low maintenance bikes!

Grant

[Matt Cartney]

If your trip has now changed then the ideal bike for you may not be the XR as you've said. Having said that, I'd still buy a bike because it was a bike I WANTED to ride for many thousands of miles over many months. Not just because it was a bike the same as my girlfriends!
Now if it happens that both of you have the same ideal bike for this trip then great, otherwise you'll be doing a dream trip on a compromise bike!
JMHO
Matt

[*Touring Ted*]

Maintenance doesnt bother me at all as im a qualified Moto mechanic, in fact..i enjoy it

I can just see myself getting jelous of her lovely padded seat, smoother ride, DC power socket etc when im losing fillings on the XR. I know she will be in fits of laughter with her electric start as im bouncing about trying to start the XR with full luggage.. I know i should just sell the XR as i know the F650 would suit us both better. When you've spent 9 months researching parts, tuning carbs, sourcing spares, buying manuals (you all know the score) its very hard to part with her..Especially when you havnt even done the trip and spent a fortune which i KNOW i wont get back.

[*Touring Ted*]

I still havnt decided what to do..I can really see myself keeping the XR just get her something similar but with an electric start and a better seat.

Any ideas on a good companion for the XR then ?