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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 George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  • 2 Post By reallybigtruck
  • 1 Post By Walkabout
  • 2 Post By mark manley
  • 1 Post By Squily
  • 2 Post By Threewheelbonnie
  • 5 Post By chris
  • 1 Post By whiteshiva
  • 1 Post By Xander

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  #1  
Old 16 Jun 2016
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Which bike
Hi all, very new, very interesting site, i have been riding motorcross for twenty years, and been watching Mondo enduro for years thinking, im going to do that before i get to old.
i only know 2 stroke, 4 is a mystery to me.
so i know this is a personal thing but what bike ?
Im watching Tenere, Dominators,Dr, Pegaso, Kle, Klr, and dare i say Canyon.
Im lost....
cheers
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  #2  
Old 16 Jun 2016
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I'd get a black one. Or orange, maybe.
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  #3  
Old 16 Jun 2016
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LOL, black i like but defo not orange, reminds me of KTM blurrrrrr.
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  #4  
Old 16 Jun 2016
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ARRRR soz if this is in the wrong place !!
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  #5  
Old 16 Jun 2016
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It may be that you haven't looked into the "which bike" part of this forum:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/which-bike/

Also, within that technical section are specific sub-fora about all of the old models of bikes that you list in your post; there is not so much about more modern bikes although the Triumph Tiger has a following in here.

to the HUBB, if it hasn't been said in another thread so far.
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  #6  
Old 16 Jun 2016
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Hi Rednek and welcome,
I think the answer to your question is any of the above, buy the one which you most like riding and it will be capable of taking you most places with little or no modification. If you like all or most of them it then comes down to the condition, mileage and price, buy the best one you can afford.
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  #7  
Old 17 Jun 2016
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Well said Mark

IMO, especially if you are coming from 2-stroke, look for:
  • something with a big oil sump. Motocross/Enduro machines like CRF450R etc has extremely short service intervals and mostly as a result of their small oil sumps. And engine rebuilds on 4-stroke machines are waaaay more expensive than 2-strokes. So as a very big and general rule-of-thumb, a bike with a large oil sump of 3 litres+ is better for touring.
  • Lower compression ratio - <10:1 if possible. Can run on lower quality fuel with less hassle
  • Steel frame - easier to repair. Also, something like a KTM690 has no 'regular' subframe and the fuel tank is the subframe, which makes outfitting and luggage options very difficult.
  • If you get something older than 8-10 years, make sure spares are freely available. Some manufacturers, such as Yamaha does not have such a good support service for older machines IMO (had lots of problems getting certain essential parts for my 96 Tenere). Whilst bikes like Honda XL/XR range can be rebuilt from the ground up. This also go for 'old' tech bikes still available, like the KLR and DR.

Just my 2c and good luck
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  #8  
Old 17 Jun 2016
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BMW R1200GS with the entire contents of pages 9 to 24 in the TT catalogue

Oh and welcome to HUBB.

Andy
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  #9  
Old 18 Jun 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
BMW R1200GS with the entire contents of pages 9 to 24 in the TT catalogue

Oh and welcome to HUBB.

Andy

If going down the German heavy bomber route, please take a moment to watch this educational video regarding the correct apparel to wear

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  #10  
Old 21 Jun 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Squily View Post
Well said Mark

IMO, especially if you are coming from 2-stroke, look for:
  • something with a big oil sump. Motocross/Enduro machines like CRF450R etc has extremely short service intervals and mostly as a result of their small oil sumps. And engine rebuilds on 4-stroke machines are waaaay more expensive than 2-strokes. So as a very big and general rule-of-thumb, a bike with a large oil sump of 3 litres+ is better for touring.
  • Lower compression ratio - <10:1 if possible. Can run on lower quality fuel with less hassle
  • Steel frame - easier to repair. Also, something like a KTM690 has no 'regular' subframe and the fuel tank is the subframe, which makes outfitting and luggage options very difficult.
  • If you get something older than 8-10 years, make sure spares are freely available. Some manufacturers, such as Yamaha does not have such a good support service for older machines IMO (had lots of problems getting certain essential parts for my 96 Tenere). Whilst bikes like Honda XL/XR range can be rebuilt from the ground up. This also go for 'old' tech bikes still available, like the KLR and DR.

Just my 2c and good luck
Thanks for the info bro!
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  #11  
Old 21 Jun 2016
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my choice
650 single thumper is ideal . simple , bullitproof and you don't give a shit if it gets damaged .....and it will I once met a couple in India that circumnavigated on an old \84 XT 600 /650 . Even met some Kiwi's on XT500's .

me , i'm kitting out a triumph scrambler coz i'm different and coz i can still air cooled , carbed and bullitproof
luggage will be either home made panniers or army duffle kit bags with dry bags inside . All valuables in a tank bag that i take with me
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  #12  
Old 24 Jun 2016
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Mark and Squilly, have it 100% right.. listen to everything they said also remember that you will be riding it for a long time.. so make sure it makes you
SMILE!
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  #13  
Old 25 Jun 2016
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Depends on what kind of riding you intend to do obviously.

If you want to tour and do some dirt/gravel roads and maybe a bit more the Tenere or the GS will fit the bill nicely. The Tenere will have less maintenance, lower cost and more dependability, which is why I went for it and absolutely love it.
Unfortunately do to the wife Foaling consecutively mine has to go goodbye for the time being.

Attachment 17825

Attachment 17826

If you want to ride more aggressively I would look at the AT or team orange.
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