I voted 500 to 1000 UKP level.
If one buys the right machine to start off ... then most of that money would go simply for available parts. The right bike doesn't need an "expert" doing custom machining or engine hop ups or hand made Alu racks/panniers/tool box bash plates, Dakar Dash, $1000 GPS, steering dampers, et al.
Just the basics are OK.

But certain upgrades are nice to have when doing a longer ride ... but most of these upgrades all can be DIY.

With the right bike ... most all this "stuff" is for sale. Just bolt it on. Not much expertise required. As mentioned ... perspectives and needs will change once you "get out there" anyway. Make mods as required on the road, do the best you can. Have fun!

A RTW travel bike need not be a Dakar rally bike ... unless you're making a career out of ADV travel or intend to compete in a rally or be featured in films and magazines. Just know your bike's limitations (and your own) and plan accordingly ... and try to be as warm, joyous and giving as the poor people you may encounter.

IMHO, travel bikes are somewhat expendable. Use them up and move on. Don't get attached. Know when to park it or sell it. (cheap! ) But when on the road ... treat it like your lifeline ... it is.

Just a few things needed upgrading on my bike:
1. Slightly larger fuel tank (230 mile range suits me)
2. Better suspension
3. Better seat

Beyond this it's just a few simple DIY things: re-jet, hand guards, bash plate. Cheap soft bags, a dry bag.

The most important elements are done at the factory. The bike is either good or not.

If more riders learned to do good preventative maintenance and to take care the basics ... they'd get a lot further and have less trouble.
Bike travel is not for everyone, that much is for sure.

For my 1st big overland trip (one year round South America) I did all the newbies mistake. Big heavy BMW, alu boxes, I spent next to 1500 pounds to get the bike ready:
*H&B top box, Alpo Alu panniers and moTech frame, headlight protector, crash bars, Fork protectors etc... way too much cash!

My bike got stolen in Brazil. It was retrieved by the cops but damaged. The MoTech frame had vanished, along with all my camping gear.

I dropped the bike MANY times, I could not do difficult roads because the bike was too heavy and tall for me and I am rubbish at off-road.
And I broke down EVERYWHERE! Sahme as finding a BMW dealer with computer plug is not that easy off the beaten track!

Then some idiot crashed into me and destroyed the full front end of the bike in Chile. Took us a month to get that sorted and parts imported from Germany...

Our next trip to Mongolia and across central Asia, I will follow the same principal that Walter Colebatch mentioned in another post: "Get the bike adequate for the most difficult part of the trip, and compromise for the rest".

My choice of bike is a humble Honda XR125 (around 110 kg) bought off ebay for under 1000 pounds (we got 2, both under 1000 pounds each).

I won't need to carry lots of parts.
I will be able to do any sort of trail as it is small and light.
If it get stolen /crashed I can just ditch it and fly back home....
For extra fuel I have an 8l fuel bladder and there are always Coke Bottle if needed!
For repairs this bike is simple enough for anyone to help if need be.

Our expenses on these bikes will be kept to a minimum: build a support for the soft panniers, get my seat scopped and lowered so I get a good footing on the ground, replace esential parts (sprockets, chain etc) before departure.

And we will travel light: minimum luggage. Anything we need we can buy on the way.

So if you market is targeting newbies, you may get a good market there Ted.
For more experienced people, we learnt the hard way and want to keep costs at minimum level. Not because we cannot afford it but because it is not worth it!

For my "home/ everyday " bike in another hand, I got lots stuff. Not because I need them but because I wanted them.
The Versys is used for travel in Tarmac in Europe (and easy gravel roads). So no adventure there. I intend to keep it for some time.
I replaced the windshield, fitted heated grips, handguards, lowering link and seat scooped (it's a tall bike!) and got a H&B topbox.
But these mods were for my confort, not "Adventure".

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

I suppose you could ask Touratech in Wales as they always seem to have adventurised bikes on ebay.

Also is CCM going down that road with the 450.

Me well a screen to keep the wind off,a airhawk to sit on and some good quality riding gear. For the bike engine bars and barkbusters to protect it when I drop it which seems to be getting more with advancing years.

Many people think that 1200GSA fits the bill as an Overland Special.

Up here in the far north quite a few pay close to 10.000€ more for a 1200GSA with add ons compared to a standard 1200GS. Unlike modified bikes they get a lot back when they sell the bike.

This reminds me that I should spend more money on motorbikes

Maria
I have seen this written several times"If it gets stolen I will just fly back" why?
You saved the cash up front ,buy a local bike and continue. you may have spent more on what you would be wearing-the gear any way.
By the I am 2up ,always, so minimizing to a 125 is only possible for the family of 5 in asia.

That was pretty much the plan....

Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

The more I look at bikes and deliberate...the more I think if I could now buy a brand new of what I've ready got I wouldn't hesitate...

That's exactly what I was thinking....

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ted, post some pictures and good luck I think there is a market for what you may offer, sure it's not going to make you a song but if you enjoy prepping bikes then it would make a great break even hobby job.

plus you get the satisfaction of selling someone a dream that they can hopefully ride away and start living.

One day there might be lots of little Ted bikes all over the globe crossing paths and sharring tales.

Good Luck

Here's the one of mine that's I've ridden further than any of the brand new bikes I've ever owned..

Attached Thumbnails

 

Hi Ted

I think it’s a good idea and there are plenty of people in the market for a well sorted travel bike - for whatever reason.
However...... there are lots of vehicles on eBay that are pretending to be something that they’re not.
May I suggest you look at UKGSer forum and checkout Mikeyboy’s build threads in the airhead section. He documents his rebuilds as he goes with photos and commentary. When you come to sell the bike you can direct potential buyers to your timeline rebuild so they are in no doubt that it is the genuine article.

HU would be a good platform for this, although you will have to put up with the usual you will decry your efforts as a Starbucks chariot

Jeez I’d love to know where that mythical Starbucks is, I’d definitely pop down there and chat to a few friendly bikers

I chose a bike that has a proven track record regarding performance & reliability and comes with quality factory components. (Before you start, yes they all come with their own idiosyncrasies) Basic service parts, prices and accessories availability should also be taken into consideration. I prefer a twin but that's just me. Whatever you chose, make sure you can maintain and service it (If not, learn! It will save you plenty), pick it up and ride it comfortably, more importantly, safely in all conditions and within your budget. I also do pretty much all the work on my bikes. Your choices, ability and preferences on the above will equate to how much it will cost! For me it was around the 7K GBP mark, loaded. I could not be happier given the spec's and the versatility of what I ended up with!

A thousand Euros doesn't go very far, then again, any stock bike can take you RTW.

I guess, if you have the money to splurge, for a bike that will give you piece of mine, and also tickle you in all the right places, why not? Well, if you can keep weight down and also not so bespoke that getting spares will be a pain

For me, It will be all the usuals that I would dream off, but where I would struggle to justify even half. Crash bars, foot rests and pedals, auxiliary lighting, bash plate,
protectors on various vital parts, better mirrors, better wind screen, better saddle, better tires, better air filter, great panniers, navigation, auxiliary 12v outlets, larger tank, exhaust, centerstand, theft protection devices, tubeless spoked wheels, better shocks front and rear, tank bag, better hand protectors, heated grips, and a bunch of other stuff. 5 grand would not come close to cover all that.

I have yet to find a +600cc bike where I would struggle to spend 5 grand. The exception would be for cheaper more light weigh small displacement dual sport bikes.

I think it is ok to have to tailor a bike to the rider, the trip and the budget. I see any bike as a starting point. Ok for much of the vast number of applications and riders it was intended, but not great for most applications or riders.

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Blog: www.bamakobyvespa.no
My Youtube Channel

Well, I recently paid -€1000 for the adventure version of the bike I was looking at ... I guess I should post about it sometime soon, given I said I wouldn't buy another petrol bike. There's no option in the poll for negative values, lol

I don't like the extra weight but the screen, USB socket, and big rack have already come in useful

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FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...

Aye... We 'could' all just ride around on C90's.. Or we could just get the bus... Or, feck it.. Let's just walk.. It will make me feel like I should be wearing hemp undies

However, a lot of people are enjoying the riding as much as the travelling. And there are lots of types of motorcycle enjoyment avenues to explore as I'm sure you know....

I've ridden scooters and rat bikes for years and they're alright, but I know I'll have far more FUN on a more sorted, powerful and better handling bike with just a little bit more piece mind so I can push my riding knowing that my wheel won't fall off.

And isn't 'FUN' what it's all about. ???

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.