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10 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by duive01
I really like light bikes but it seems that the heavy bikes (Varadero 1000, R12000GS, Tenere 1000, V-strom 1000) are the way to go for travelers these days.
I can name some advantages of the small bikes like maneuverability, fuel economy, you can pick it up yourself after a fall. For the people whom have seen The Long Way Round there is even a good example when Claudio drives a local small bike and can travel much faster than Charlie and Ewan.
Can somebody explain the advantages of these 'monster' bikes?
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GLAMOUR -> The actor rides the big bike, while the cameran films him riding the (sh*tty) light bike.
PS: If next time the actor swims wearing boots and the cameraman swims with fins...
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10 Apr 2012
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2 factors
1. Covering longish distance, at high speed on major highways (and stopping quite frequently along the way for fuel).
2. Carry a pillion in the comfort that the passenger expects, and needs, if the relationship between the rider and pillion is to survive the journey.
That's it really.
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10 Apr 2012
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You can travel on anything, just read some of the stories on here.
Bigger bike = more comfort, maybe better fuel range, higher speeds on larger roads, good for pillions.
Small bike = can go places the big bike cannot.
So if you want to travel with a passenger or plan to stick to roads mostly, a big bike is good but if you want to get off road, are happy to travel a little slower & are riding solo a small bike is better. 
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10 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by holodragon
You can travel on anything, just read some of the stories on here.
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I absolutely agree that you can travel on anything, a Harley, a Vespa, a R1200GS. Just wondering why so many times the 1000+cc bikes are chosen for trips that (in my opinion) can easily be done by a 250.
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10 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by duive01
I absolutely agree that you can travel on anything, a Harley, a Vespa, a R1200GS. Just wondering why so many times the 1000+cc bikes are chosen for trips that (in my opinion) can easily be done by a 250.
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They can be done by bus or bicycle too. The Western biker can be one big fashion statement and practicality doesn't seem to enter in to it. Getting half the riders out on anything under a litre is like getting my wife to leave her hand bag and use the pockets provided in her jacket, practical but not going to happen because they just aren't comfortable with it!
Andy
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10 Apr 2012
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This has been discussed a few times already, but here we go....
I can see a lot of great things with heavy bikes (range, power, security, ability to carry water and food, funfactor, comfort, some are reliable etc). I can only see one downside and that's the weight, with the right driving-technique weight is a manageable problem.
My bike has been on all kind of odd places, only once I had to turn around (vann Zyyls pass) because I couldn't carry enough fuel. It still nags me!
Personally I use a 200kg bike for traveling, if you can find a lightweight bike that have a range of 700kms, can carry all my gear without behaving like a overloaded bicycle, manage 150kkm without major rebuilds and still be able to blast through the gravel in 160km/h I might have a look.
In my experience small bikes generally come to short and follow the main-routes because of lack of range (fuel, water, spareparts and food).
I'm not saying that all heavy bikes are great for touring, I'm saying that we have different preferences. There is nothing wrong with that.
Btw: I also have a 250cc and a 400cc
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10 Apr 2012
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Yep, horses for courses for sure. Take the bike that you think will be best for the job. If you're doing lots of small trails and really enjoy the off pavement experience then get a small bike. If you're doing lots of long distance riding on pavement a big bike is best. Another factor is how much you're going to pack (a big bike can handle big loads very easily) and your own personal dimensions (I find I'm too cramped on most smaller bikes at 6'4").
Actually the best bike for your trip is the one you already own, just get out there!
As a point of reference, when we rode from Germany to South Africa on the East side and then across Canada back home we covered approximately 45,000 km. I had sold my R1150GS Adventure before the trip because I wanted something lighter. Of the 45,000 km I would guess that about 1,000 to 2,000 km (Nubian desert in Sudan, Northern Kenya)was better with a lighter bike, the remaining 43,000 km would have been better (or perhaps the same) with the big Adventure. I'll be taking an R1200GS Adventure on the next trip (and probably hating it in Mongolia) because for the majority of our riding we're on half way decent roads where a big comfy bike is quite nice.
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'84 R100RT 141,000 km (Dad's!)
'89 R100GS 250,000 km (and ready for another continent)
'07 R1200GS Adventure 100,000 km (just finished Circumnavigating Asia)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
www.ekke-audrey.ca
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10 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba
I can see a lot of great things with heavy bikes (range, power, security, ability to carry water and food, funfactor, comfort, some are reliable etc).
Personally I use a 200kg bike for traveling...
... I'm saying that we have different preferences. There is nothing wrong with that.
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(range) OK nice to have less stops for fuel, (power) when do you need the extra power from the R1200GS in comparison to a F650?, (security) ???, (ability to carry...) OK, (funfactor) funfactor is also available for small bikes!, (comfort) OK but you don't travel RTW on a motorbike for comfort now do you?, (some are reliable) some small bikes are too!
So that leaves us with these advantages:
-range
-carry more stuff
-comfort
You use a 200kg bike, then we are talking more about a F650 than a R1200GS? Let's say middle class, but not a 1000+cc, is it?
Different preferences is OK, better than OK or else we all would be riding the same bike!
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11 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba
This has been discussed a few times already, but here we go....
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And in the last day or so it has come around twice!!! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...679#post374990
That's kind of weird (but that talk is going on in the bar).
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10 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie
They can be done by bus or bicycle too. The Western biker can be one big fashion statement and practicality doesn't seem to enter in to it. Getting half the riders out on anything under a litre is like getting my wife to leave her hand bag and use the pockets provided in her jacket, practical but not going to happen because they just aren't comfortable with it!
Andy
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Maybe that's my problem, being to practical!
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10 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by holodragon
...but if you want to get off road, are happy to travel a little slower & are riding solo a small bike is better. |
I agree 100%. But isn't that what most travelers do or want to do? Travel slow and get off road here and there?
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10 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout
1. Covering longish distance, at high speed on major highways (and stopping quite frequently along the way for fuel).
2. Carry a pillion in the comfort that the passenger expects, and needs, if the relationship between the rider and pillion is to survive the journey.
That's it really.
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These are 2 good points but still...many of the riders I see on the internet do a lot of offroad and hardly ever carry a pillion!
But it reminds me why I'm not a heavy bike user, I always travel alone and I really don't like highways.
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10 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout
2. Carry a pillion in the comfort that the passenger expects, and needs, if the relationship between the rider and pillion is to survive the journey.
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Which is why I've reluctantly binned the idea of a small bike. Many things in their favour but two-up comfort's not really one of them... 
I don't see the need for any more than a 650 though, unless you really WANT it
Whatever floats your boat. 
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15 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Crusty
Which is why I've reluctantly binned the idea of a small bike. Many things in their favour but two-up comfort's not really one of them...
I don't see the need for any more than a 650 though, unless you really WANT it
Whatever floats your boat. |
Do you have a 650 in mind?
I have considered a few, but it all depends on your build (heavy weight westerner with a  belly or just a 2m tall well built athlete??), the build of your pillion passenger, the general size and shape of both seats, the amount of luggage that you and your pillion need, or want, to carry, the duration of the trip, the nature of the trip (the old favourite question of "to camp or not to camp"), it goes on; all of these factors have always pushed me toward inline 4 cyls and hotel bookings!!
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Dave
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19 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout
Do you have a 650 in mind?
I have considered a few, but it all depends on your build (heavy weight westerner with a belly or just a 2m tall well built athlete??), the build of your pillion passenger, the general size and shape of both seats, the amount of luggage that you and your pillion need, or want, to carry, the duration of the trip, the nature of the trip (the old favourite question of "to camp or not to camp"), it goes on; all of these factors have always pushed me toward inline 4 cyls and hotel bookings!! |
Hard to see past the V-strom for the combination of economy, reliability, comfort and carrying capacity. The plan is too buy in the states and ride down to South America for a an extended tour. We've had a 600 TA for a few years now and the only complaints I have about it are: it's a bit top heavy, a little cramped for two and I get butt ache very quickly. I've tried a sheepskin, airhawk and a custom seat all to no avail so it must be me..! 
Incidentally, the other half thinks it's really comfortable.
I've never felt the need for more power though, 120kph cruising all day long with a bit in reserve if you feel the need. Good enough for me but feel free to differ. 
I did consider a Bajaj Pulsar for all the reasons already discussed but decided it wasn't really going to work for two of us.
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