Quote:
Originally Posted by mahsita
Hi,
I´m going to South America for a bike trip. I have a BMW 650 F from 1999 with carburetor which we used (the 2 of us) for our trip in West Africa. It was a great bike to carry the 2 of us with a lot of our stuff. BUT, it was too heavy and tall for me (I´m 1.65). Then I had another trip to Pakistan & Iran with another person on a simple Kawa KLE 250. It was great although not too fast. I´m just afraid that it would not be able to put up with riding to fast for long hours.
This time I´m looking for a bike for myself which should be lower and LIGHTER than the BMW650 but also reliable and FAST when you are on tarmac. I was thinking between Yamaha XT650, carburetor (I have to lower the bike) or a BMW 650 xcountry with injection. The latter is light and low but I´m a bit afraid of not being able to fix it in SA if there are any problems.
I would appreciate any other suggestions and if the x country would be a good choice or the most fetal error I would ever have made! What about a KLR 650?
Thanks a lot.
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If you intend to buy your bike in the USA then you have some good choices ... and better prices for used bikes than EU. You are lucky to have good luck with your F650. Many do not have this luck. The X Country is better but still needs up grades to be a good travel bike. It is quite tall ... and is now out of production for 4 or 5 years. Expensive.
Less expensive Japanese bikes also need modification but IMO, are more reliable, less expensive to modify, simpler to work on yourself ... no BMW agency required. No computers, no ABS, no CANbus.
I would not recommend the KLR650 for a shorter female rider. It's a great bike, but better suited for a BIG, strong rider. KLR is a bit heavy ... and because of fairing, BIG fuel tank and shield, it "feels" bigger than it is when sitting on board.
The DR650 is a good, inexpensive choice for sale in USA. At 324 lbs. dry (147 kgs.), one of the lightest 650's. With 20 lts. fuel, luggage and extras loaded on, estimate 400 lbs. (181 kgs.) Compare to anything ... even a 250.
Seat height lowering
The DR650 has lower factory option about 1.5 inch. (All DR's have this ability) You can add lowering links to lower it 2 inches more if needed. Cheap and easy to do. I've seen a woman 5' 2" riding a lowered DR650, feet on the ground.
The F650 is 55 lbs. heavier (dry weight) than DR650. The BIG plus with the F650 F.I. models is good fuel economy. DR650 gets about 50 MPG. F650 about 60 to 65 mpg.
As a DR650 owner for 55,000 miles (88,000 kms), I've not had one problem.
A few good points about the bike:
Simple, reliable, easy to work on (DIY). Nearly maintenance free!
Good on rough off road trails/roads yet can easily cruise highway (even two up) at 70 MPH all day long. Smooth, low vibration. 500 mile days done easily.
Suzuki dealers in USA, Colombia, Ecuador (where Police use the DR650). (Parts!)
Inexpensive if bought used in USA. Low kms newish ones from $3000 to
$4000 USD are common.
Simple Air/Oil cooled, no radiators, no water pumps, fuel pumps, radiator fans, no hoses to fail. This bike never overheats, will run on garbage fuel at 4000 meters.
Simple, common and reliable Mikuni Carb that any roadside mechanic can repair or clean. Parts available worldwide.
With a few key accessories and upgrades the Suzuki DR650 can make a good travel bike.
It has a Super strong frame and sub frame, 43mm KYB forks (once upgraded, very good!)
Better shock needed too or upgrade of stock shock.
The bike needs a better seat. Not a sheepskin ... a real aftermarket seat.
Bigger tanks and many other used aftermarket parts for sale everywhere and quite cheap. (tanks, seats, pipes, pannier racks, rear racks, carbs, engine guards, luggage, bags, bars, Aux lights, lower foot peg kits .. on and on and on)
Great aftermarket and Forum support from hundreds of dedicated owners with lots of useful knowledge.
the DR650 thread - ADVrider
www.DRRiders.com
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