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Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 4 Sep 2019
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Sports Cruiser - Halp a girl decide
G'day everyone,

So I am soon to move off my RE to R licence and looking to upgrade my bike. I absolutely love the look and seat position, basically everything on the BMW 1150 RS however my partner is not willing to let me jump up to one so quickly.

So I need recommendations. What is the best bike/most similar to my dream bike around the 700-900cc mark. I plan to be doing some long distance tarmac rides in Australia with a little bit in the dirt (I do have an off-road bike for the heavy duty chook chasing). I want a bike that I can love, that is bigger but not to heavy if I drop it, decent fuel economy and as close to my dream bike as possible.

Cheers!



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  #2  
Old 4 Sep 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cholo View Post
"So I am soon to move off my RE to R licence and looking to upgrade my bike. I absolutely love the look and seat position, basically everything on the BMW 1150 RS however my partner is not willing to let me jump up to one so quickly"


Er: might want to upgrade your partner as well,

more seriously what is your existing bike? think suzuki 650, honda 500 or nc750, Kwak 650 or W800. guzzi V7 or 900..I could go on and on but not knowing your size or anything about you its pretty difficult

please note that a BMW 850 weighs about the same as a GS1250, so looking at engine size might be counterproductive
Bike weight isn't a huge issue to me as I can lift them. Currently ride a KTM 525EXC, KLE 500 and a Kawasaki Eliminator 250CC custom.

I'm a short ass at 5'6" but still manage to get on the tall KTM. To even move my licence up I need to be confident and comfortable in a bike over 650CC. As stated this bike will be for a lot of long distance touring, so a "lounge chair" type seat like the BMW 1150 has is what I want. For this type of riding I don't want a bike that's going to be tall and need me having my toes only touching the ground. One I can stand on the pegs comfortably in and stretch out and one I can even have a cat nap over the fuel tank if I'm exhausted.

We do have an 1150 RS here but the jerk won't let me on it as he believes I'll either kill myself or drop and damage it (but hey that's what insurance is for) I've sat on it and climbed over it and TBH I absolutely love it so the closest I can get to it whilst keeping the old man happy will have to do for now. Also the "killing myself" bit on a bike doesn't bother me as I would prefer to go that way than via anaphylactic shock or severe asthma, both of which have almost killed me many times over the years!

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  #3  
Old 4 Sep 2019
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A vote for the V Strom
I rode my V Strom 650 around the world on dirt roads in India to highways in USA. It coped with everything, was cheap to service and never went wrong. I was able to get it serviced in Malaysia and India etc and it gave me 400kms on a tankfull. When travelling fuel range/comfort/luggage often matter more than engine size.
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  #4  
Old 5 Sep 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tim.angus View Post
When travelling fuel range/comfort/luggage often matter more than engine size.
Yep. Sort of. The larger engine should be more more comfortable at higher speeds that the smaller motor. However most places have speed restrictions that see the smaller motor quite happy. Only thing that can then be different is fuel consumption, the smaller motor may not be as fuel efficient as most people assume.

The Suzuki 650 is a nice motor .. try one for physical comfort.
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  #5  
Old 5 Sep 2019
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My wife was in a similar position.

We ended up going to the bike shops and she got on and off multiple bikes until she found ones that fit her like a glove.

We ended up with two that fit perfectly. RE Himalayan and CB500X.

We got the CB500X. Not that I would suggest it would suit you but I reckon that’s the best way to find what fits you.


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  #6  
Old 5 Sep 2019
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Sports Cruiser - Halp a girl decide
Ive got a Triumph Tiger 800 XCx that’s in your cc range. I’ve put 6,500 touring miles on it in the 12 months i’ve owned it and can confirm it is both comfortable, fun to ride and meeting your big bike requirements (I came to it from a 1200 and much prefer it - the engine is an absolute peach).

2 minute taster of what I use it for below
https://youtu.be/JhtGpEyHuok
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  #7  
Old 5 Sep 2019
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cholo View Post
Honda NC 750, orlook into Guzzi 900 or V85 if you want a shaft drive, air cooling and ease of maintenance (thinking of your fave BMW)
Then choose tyres to match where you will be riding
I've looked at the Guzzis but only the 1200's appeal to me

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  #8  
Old 7 Sep 2019
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Can't help with the bike query, as I'm more of a small car guy. But love the username.
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  #9  
Old 25 Sep 2019
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So this is the bike I went with, BMW F800ST. Was a 680km ride home on the day I picked her up 1.5wks ago and have clocked up another 400+km since. Absolutely love her to ride and have named her "Betsy" (beemer). The heated handgrips were awesome on the ride home as it was night time and she has a few extras like cruise control, driving lights, top box and panniers, computer, ABS. And a comfy seat (though I am looking into a lambswool cover).

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