What bike suits you
 

Hi my name is Paul

I,m from Australia Just a few thoughts about some bikes.
I have been riding for 35 years from motor-x enduro, road riding, trail and even track. and some adventure trips I’m not talking myself up, just some background; I think a bike should be brought with the following points in mind.
1. The price: your budget what can you afford (and remember the cheaper the longer the holiday and more money you have to put into the bike you brought)
2. Research: A big one if you are planning on some long adventure trips ‘it pays to research bikes for their reliability issues. I have never brought a new bike for the following 3 reasons
1. Value: New lose allot of value when you ride them out of the shop and you will rarely get that back.
2.Test of time: Being new they may not have been around long enough to stand the test of time, ( there are a few exceptions the TDM 900, Suzuki DRZ 400, Honda ST1300, Honda CT 90 you get the idea these have been around ,in some cases over 10 years)
3. Low Kms: Buying a second hand bike (with low kms , I like to get under about 20,000 kms max) you may get a very good buy with full service history and the previous owner may have spent a lot of money on accessories eg Panniers , crash bars , headlight protectors etc. ( there loss your gain)
3. Your experience: getting a bike that is not too much for you to handle in regards to size, weight, power etc.
4. Your Height:, you do not want a bike that is too high for you, as this can cause lots of problems when the bike is loaded up and on unsealed roads and around towns and Cities, believe me I know I am only 5/5 and always have trouble getting the right bike. TIP; if you are short like me the best fix without losing handling and ground clearance is lowering the seat.
5. Ask/seek/find: To find the perfect bike read forums (like this) ask other riders with loads of experience, (not a person that, let’s say loves Harleys are said they are the only bike or other riders with A ONE BIKE MIND)
6. SUM UP: Do your research for least 6 months; buy a bike that suits you regardless of brand AS LONG AS IT HAS MEET THE RELIBILITY TEST OF TIME, normally models that have been around over 5 years, with very little changes mainly improvements. There is a little list of bikes I have owned or know that do have little problems (no bike is perfect)
For Road riding
1. The Honda ST 1100 and the latter ST 1300- they go for ever
2. The Yamaha XJ 900 Division they a simple in line 4 air cooled engine stopped making in 2001.
3. A great little learner bike for the road and a female is the Yamaha Virago 250.
Soft off road
1. Yamaha TDM 900 (Super reliable, great handling and with great fuel economy)
2. Triumph Tiger 955I 2005-06 Model( very reliable, but are top heavy )
3. Suzuki V-Strom 650 ( so reliable and handles very well to)
Medium of road
4. Triumph tiger 800 and 800 XC ( relatively new since 2011 but are proving themselves)
5. Early GS BMW,s (Big and heavy but have a low centre of gravity easy to work on)
6. And of course the 1150 and 1200 GS BMW newer models
7. Yamaha 1200 Tenerne also starting to prove itself
8. BMW 650 and 800 GS ( the 650 has a great low seat height for females and shorties)
9. Kawasaki KLR 650 ( Good med –off roader , but seat needs improving)
10. Honda African twin 750 ( the first real Jap Adventure bike that worked)
11. KTM 990 SMT ( Fun and a good tour , handles on and of road)

Mainly of road

1. Suzuki DR 650 and DRZ 400 (both great bikes for more off road ability and Super reliable)
2. Honda XR 650 and 400 ( Go forever)
3. Yamaha TTR 250 ( good little starter)
Well there are heap more bikes that a lot on this forum could tell you about , I just giving my option from bikes I have owned , or friends and what I have read.

DO YOU RESEARCH AND REMEMBER” IT’S ALL ABOUT THE RIDE “