Folks,

After 3 years of dreaming and planning, I now have my full UK motorcycle license. Throughout the winter I have read and read and read, and am now ready for the big day - to buy my first bike. However, I am slowly coming to a state of ever more confusion rather than clarity. Here is what I know:

• I am a beginner. Never sat on a bike other than for my license
  I don't care for speed. Take it easy.
  My dream is a long tour (say, UK to Iran). I want to buy with that in mind. I will start with day trips, of course. Maybe Wales, Scotland. Then a 2 weeks-holiday. You get the idea
  I love the idea of going slightly off-road (gravel, tiny bit of mud) to improve my skills; it will also be necessary when escaping Europe (Morocco!)
  I am fully behind the idea that light is better; but I also would like to take a pillion (girlfriend) at times; have luggage; etc
  My budget is up to £3K. However, I am concerned about insurance (at third party + theft I land at around 1.400K / year for all bikes I consider); so may want to go cheaper until these crazy insurance premiums go down. Also makes me not as afraid dropping the bike in the parking lot.

• Bikes I'd buy if I didn't have the big dream of traveling to far away places... Bandit, Yamaha xj6, ...
  Bikes I absolutely love but are just over budget... NC700X, CB500X, GS650
  Bikes that I think make sense for travel (but I don't really like this motocross style, and have concerns for pillion riding)... XT600, XT660
  Bikes that I think make sense but.. I'm not feeling it! ... KLR650, V-Strom, Versys
  What I look out for: Ideally ABS, under 20K miles

Okay, enough text. I think you see my confusion. Help a fella out ... any advice on a good bike based on my situation?

Cheers!

And....your question is??

uh.. it says right there!

You seem to have pretty much done all the work yourself. You've thought about what you want to, what a bike would need to provide to enable you to do what you want. You've done the "head" bit but also considered the "heart" bit with a list of what you fancy, and don't. I'd keep trawling the internet for candidates on the "heart" list until you find what you want.

Honda CB500, the older one not a CB500X, you should get a good one for £1,000 and somewhere here Chris Scott has done an excellent conversion into an overland bike.

CB500 is a good option but, if seat height isn't an issue, I wouldn't rule out big trailies such as the XT600 and DR650. They have a good reputation for reliability and being easy to maintain/repair.

I know what you mean regarding pillion carrying capability but this can often be improved by reshaping the seat.

Glad you ruled out the XJ6 already, I was talked into getting one as my first bike after my test. Horrid thing. Was glad to be rid of it.

If you want something that eats up the street, has some ability off the beaten track and can take a pillion you should be looking at the middleweight adventurers, I can see you already ruled out the Strom and the Versys, I was the same, they just don't click for me. But look at the BMWs in that displacement category or the Triumph Tiger. For me they 'feel' superior to the ones you've ruled out. They are heavy, relatively speaking, but if you're newly passed you are probably young and strong! If not, get in the gym, it helps with those lumps! But they'll carve up the road, soldier on when off it and comfortably take two.

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[ Tim | History - NW Italy/French Rivera, Swiss Alps, Morocco | 2016 - Greece > Albania > Macedonia > Kosovo > Montenegro > Bosnia > Slovenia > Austria ]

If you are planning trips with your partner as pillion, then her comfort should be the overriding consideration. You'll be having plenty of fun controlling the bike, she'll just be sitting there thinking about how much her bum hurts if the seat ain't right. That's why I use a big bike, even though it's a bit of a handful sometimes- those awkward moments on sand are worth it for a happy pillion.

Any modernish bike will do in terms of reliability, a bit of money spent on the suspension will help most bikes out. CB500 would have done me when I was younger for sure.

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Maybe reconsider "motocrossy" bikes you "think" you don't like. There's a reason why so many travel on these tall dual-sport bikes. Long travel suspension good on rough paved roads, superior to a street bike off road, relatively light weight.

Enough room for luggage/pillion (600cc class bikes), 21" front tire makes riding dirt roads, sand, mud ... MUCH easier than typical road bike with wide street tires. Better choice of off road tires with 21"/17" or 21" /18" sizes.

Simple to maintain/repair, good power, inexpensive and generally VERY TOUGH bikes. Tough is good on a long trip. Fall down as much as you like ... you can't really hurt a dual sport bike in off road tip overs.

XT600's still around used. Avoid XT660 due to high weight & cost. Find a nice clean, low miles XT600. Fit it out with professionally done custom seat (for two), up grade suspension & lighting, figure best way to pack luggage ... and go. Figure at least $700 UKP for up grades and prep.

Ideally, your girlfriend can ride herself, on her own bike. IMO, better way to travel.

The KLR650 is another bike that should be considered. It has a larger/heavier feel than the XT600, DR650 or XR650L. But not much heavier really, has huge fuel tank, reliable and is better for a pillion. One of the most famous travel bikes there is. Hundreds have spun RTW on them.

Also consider: Honda XR650L, Suzuki DR650, Honda CRF250L and any number of inexpensive China made 250 dual sport bikes ... getting BETTER every year.

If you're considering travel with pillion and luggage for both of you, then the 600cc collection of bikes would make sense. There's probably quite a few from which to choose. The Honda CB500X seems to have decent rally raid additions, although this will be longer term if you're looking on the cheaper side of things. Also, Hondas will last!

Regarding pillion happiness , I agree that keeping them happy will really pay off for you both enjoying the travel. Rather than a custom seat, consider an Airhawk 'cushion' as a less expensive alternative. These are, aparrently, good bits of kit.

What ever you choose, happy riding!

I would try a single before you buy. If you need to hold 60-70mph+ they can be a pain in the arse in more ways than one.
Twins are a lot nicer to ride, but don't just limit yourself there.
I've toured on ZZR and CBR's. The Honda I put over 100,000 miles on with very few issues.
I've also taken one across fields, but probably not recommend .

Check out JDRocks on ADV, he's build a great twin off the Versys/ER base. I'll try and post a pic up for you. Don't know how handy you are with the spanners.

Over all, enjoy what ever you ride!


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Hmm, guy seems to be on a budget and isn't looking to ride through the DRC in the rainy season just yet. A cheap road bike with throwover panniers, a tank bag and maybe a couple of well placed Pooratech mods will get him on his way. It doesn't get more fun with fancy kit, although it might get a bit more comfortable.

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Think you should read his posts, he builds these real cheap.


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