The Best LOOKING Overland Bıke?
 

OK: A contentious issue, I admit, but what are the 5 best LOOKING overland bikes? Heres my top fıve, Id be interested ın other peoples. I thınk outrageous partisanship and uncalled for insults of other people machines are definately the order of the day!

1: The daddy. The twin lamped Yamaha Tenere. No bike sums up rugged adventure like this one. Easıly the sexiest bike in the overlanding spectrum.
2: Honda Africa Twin. The bike I saw ın a dealer in Aberdeen ın the early nineties and spent ages just drooling over. My fave paint job is the red, white and blue one.
3: The Royal Enfield Bullet. No other bike made today has the same Steve McQueen charm, or sounds half as good! Any bike they have been makıng for 50 years HAS to be a legend! In my opınıon though looks best unloaded up and in its most basic 'Classic' form.
4: Those ex-army KLR Deisels! I reckon they just look gnarly. (as I beleive the Americans say!)
5: Eıther the Honda XR or Yam XT/TT preferably tricked out wıth Acerbis tanks etc.

Personally, I expect no argument wıth thıs exhaustive list. But if any loonies want to argue...

Well smack my a.. and call me Judy!
I totally agree with you on the first two, those are my absolute favorites as well.

1. Twin lamped Ténéré (also known as 3AJ)
http://home.arcor.de/mjungowski/Pict...e/xt600/2s.jpg



2. Africa Twin
http://www.evamotor.nl/Travel_galeri...ica_Twin_1.jpg



3. Super Ténéré (only good looking, there's absolutely nothing else I like about this bike)
http://www.motorrad-bild.de/images_t...per_tenere.jpg



4. Triumph Tiger 955 (the new one)
http://www.lumic.de/triumph/PIX/Tiger99.JPG



5. Note sure, there's plenty of bikes that should go here, from the old XTs and Ténérés (single lamped) to the latest Transalp, from the BMW R1100GS (Personally, I don't like the R1150GS and R1200GS - if something breaks down in Nomansland you're screwed) to the twin lamped XT660Z Ténéré, from.....

#1

A classic Icon, the PX200E... because it is not supposed to be there, because it's got Italian "quality", and because it managed to place in the 1980 Paris-Dakar rally.

http://www.gjolberg.com/mekkeblogg_a...urescoot11.jpg
http://www.gjolberg.com/mekkeblogg_a...urescoot12.jpg

The Royal Enfield Bullet, Machisimo 350cc

Because it is the only true classic still made in pretty much the excact same form as decades ago, because it is beatifully ugly, and because it is original "British quality" now improved by "Indian quality measures".

http://www.premjis.com/images/machismo.jpg

The Yamaha XTZ 660 Tenere, because it is the king of the 90's, can be found at an affordable price, is truely reliable, is easy to fix due to its simplicity, because the dispersion of the Yamaha brand makes parts and competence more available accross the globe, because it is the most sensible choice in terms of cost/utility... and those twin headlights look mean.

http://www.heikkil.com/tenere/xtz660.jpg



The BMW F 650 GS Dakar

Because it is German quality (real quality this time), because it is modern, because it has a sleak design, because it offers the optimal tradeoffs betwenn comfort and performance.

http://www.selclene.co.uk/cyn/bmw/dakar.jpg

The BMW 1200 Enduro

Because it is just too mean

http://www.bmw.no/mc/images/portrait...hp2_enduro.jpg

http://bmwfinlandpinter01.ergointegr...de.asp?id=3520


The BMW 1200 GS Adventure

... just because...
http://www.twowheels.se/hundra_proce...venture/04.jpg

best bike
 

I will disagree with you...

You nearly got it right - best looking bike is clearly the Africa Twin. So please rearrange your top 5 to put the AT at the top. I sometimes sit in the garden with a beer just gazing at the bike for hours. It has also been to N.Africa and Asia so that the general public world-wide can admire it. And I often stop in front of a shop window to admire the bike - and I know you do this too on your bike. Pity it's not an Africa Twin, eh? You must get one so that people will think better of you.

Your choice of the Enfield is deliberately provocative. How can you include a 50 year old design in this list? - it is an old banger. So stop your ticklin' jock.......

The "chariot de pedes" you included only to cause controversy!

I think you should add the Honda 90 or Cub. This is the most successful bike on the planet.

Good roads

Best looking bike
 

I forgot to say that the Honda 90s swoopy plastic and lightweight wheels are intensely beautiful. The colour scheme is exciting and the bike has that rugged travel look that is lacking in the Yamahas you mention. Those Yam headlamps you like are, I'm sorry to say, naff and only intended for the teenage buyer.

Go and get a Honda 90, and ride out like a real man. You will find women flocking round you, wishing to ride pillion and hoping to get their own Honda 90 to do RTW with you and your testosterone charged character. As you are a kilt wearer, you will find that the 90 allows the breeze to waft on those parts which you guard most closely. Just be careful that your vision is not obscured when your chosen tartan covers your eyes. And my hot tip for you is - get a second sporran and use it as a concealed extra toolbox - handy for those spare tyre levers etc.

To sum up, this is the compelling beauty of the bike...rugged, cheap, rustproof, economical. You'll get respect from men, and unexpected pleasures from women. (or vice versa, depending on your taste)

Look for me at Lumb Farm this year, surrounded by biking beauties. I will have, of course, my little Honda with me.

Please feel free to offer your views on this, however unappealing they may be.

Some Tootin'
 

In fact here's a picture of Denis taken at Lumb Farm last year as part of his Honda sponsorship deal. Denis, who was that on the back? Is it Tiffany in a wig?

http://www.kiwi-us.com/%7Egeifuu/PostaBK05.JPG

Sorry - you're all wrong
It's got to be this one!

You got me....but I'm the one on the back....

Yep! its a Harley -overweight, overpriced and underengineered!!!

HO HO HO...... I've never heard that one before!

Dear Denis,
I don't believe for a minute that any women are attracted to your rattling bucket of tin and plastic.
If you really want to be surrounded by adoring women you should try wearing a kilt at an English weddıng ;)
Matt

Wheelıe,
Cool as your 'overland prepped' scooter ıs, it's not as cool as the sidecar outfit ın your icon whatsit. Has that not already solved your luggage issues?
Matt
Is the outfit yours, if so can we see a bigger pic?

All mine:biggrin:

It is a 1960 Vespa VBB 150 cc (with 177cc tuning kit), 4 speed transmission and 8" wheels.

http://www.freewebs.com/wheelie/vespa2.jpg


If you are into Vespas, then I also got his one (yellow one below), 1962 150cc VBB (Touring/GL), 10" wheels and only 3 speed. This was the one I originally planned to ride through Africa, with some serious mods (200 cc engine, 12V, electronic ignition, Autolube, hydraulic disc brakes, hydraulic clutch, electric start, shock upgrade, front and rear racks, Halogen and LED lights, semaphores blinkers... the list goes on and on). The my wife decided to come along, and I felt it better to ride to identical scoots (for all the obvious reasons). As it was too much work to prepare and maintain two Vintage ones, we opted for the tried and tested PX200E EFL.

Even though the scooter will not become an overland bike the scoot below is still getting the full monty. But it will turn into an entirely different project. For kicks and giggles, it will get a fully voice controlled entertainment system (utterly useless), that would make even the most hardcore ICE (In Car Entertainment) enthusiast want to faint::: gprs, 3g, wlan, bluetooth, quad band gsm, touch screen monitor, GPS autorouting, FM/AM, TV, Intercom, bike to bike radio, voice control, mp3, DVD, mpeg4, Internet, web cam (live broadcast), DVcam, helmet cam, headset (optional throat mic), e-mail, cordless foldable keyboard, game pads, game emulators (lots), regular office aplications... . I'm also looking into possibilities of having my live location indicated on a map on my home page. If I could have it my way, then on google earth. But I amyet to solve this problem. It is not as difficult as it sounds. A lap top, a 8" LCD monitor, and lots of freeware (lots of downloadable set ups available), pluss all the gadgets I allready have. The main problem is getting enough Juice. I'm not going to start a discussion about this project as it is for a different forum than this one. Hopefully this will be done by 2008... unless I get bored with it (I often do). Although Never done on a scooter before, it has been done on motorcycles.

http://www.gjolberg.com/images/vespagul.jpg

I also got more scooters...

But the real overland scoot I want is this:

http://vintagescooters.free.fr/image...-150TAP-56.jpg

For me the best looking overland bike has to be a black 1100gs,and my love for these bike started way before Ewan and charlie used the 1150gs.

they visually have lots of charachter,such as that massive tank or the boxer engine with those cyclinder heads which seem to be useful for knocking attacking wildlife out the way!

I would say its the hindenburg or graf zeppelin of bikes ,its big,well engineered and German...but hopefully it doesn't catch fire!

lee.

Wheelie....A Vespa with a bazooka....You should (if possible)concider even stronger medication :-) Dont consult your doctor, just trust me. Take em'all it will do you reeeeal good. When you come down again.... get your self a real bike and travel in style, not on that italian piece of crap from the medival ;-)

Safe trip to SA and Kenya.

My Vote goes to the Royal Enfield Bullet
 

My Vote goes to the Royal Enfield Bullet
and here is WHY >>>>

http://theroyalenfieldbullet.blogspo...hy-bullet.html


Also maybe because being from India , I have'nt seen / Experienced the other bikes mentioned here.

Let the wind blow high, let the wind blow low..
 

Hi Matt
My old bucket!? Oh you cruel person! How could you rattle my cage like that!

As for the kilt thing, I've been told by female friends that they are indeed truly intrigued by a man in a sort of skirt, and it adds a little frisson to their interest. But surely this is too high a price to pay for giggles? Not to mention midgies grazing on your "parts" during a Highland summer.

Here is my 1st challenge to you. I assume you wear your kilt for everyday use, so head up to Glencoe for a July/August weekend, and put your tent up at the Clachaig, or down at Sol's Bunkhouse. Let me know if you can handle 2 days of insects up your kilt, and if you can I'll buy you a pint at Lumb Farm one day. I need authenticated proof from a doctor and witnesses that you did it. You may post "Before" and "After" photos on the HUBB with Grant's permission, as they may offend taste and decency. However, some people may enjoy the sensation of biting insects, and in some cities you can pay a lot of money for a similar service, so it may not be a hardship for you.

Challenge 2 is that you write an article on "Motorcycling While Wearing a Medieval Garment" when you don't even have a Highland name. There is a pint for you here if you do this - a genuine offer. I will not renege.

Not many people on the HUBB are insulted as brutally as you insulted me. I did not run whimpering to a Moderator, but instead offered to buy you a pint!

Good roads!!!!
Denis

I'm allready taking them all... maybe that is part of my problem???

Next trip, another type of trip, another type of bike, another type of experience.

This is my only true problem; so many choices, so little time. Not only do I have to choose between the experience offered from all the routes in the world, but also the experience offerred by the choice of wheels, and more often than not, I want to travel each route with several vastly different bikes. One route can be travelled with so many vastly different bikes, each offering their own unique experience. Anybody done a Trans-africa on a trike or a quad???

The problem with my next trip is that I have too little time and want to cover lots of ground, keeping me to the main roads. As the roads for the trip i have chosen do not pose too great of a challenge, riding an offroader would be overkill. Riding a classic scooter on the other hand is just silly, and truely adventurous...

One thing to concider before you diss my choice of wheels completely. How many other rides do you know of which has been produced in virtually the same form and shape for 60 years, and still being used accross the globe in vast numbers? And, which has been used in Africa by the french foreign legion paratroopers?? And which have competed in the Paris-Dakar rally atleast three times that I know of (and even placed)??? And which has done RTW as well as being ridden arround towns by housewifes and blokes alike for decades? And which has achieved an iconic cult status rivaled by only a few, many generations over??? And, a ride which enjoyed massive sales in Africa (60s and 70s), as well as Europe, America, Australia and Asia? A ride which has sold in greater numbers than any vehicle, even the beetle. It is a piece of art and ingenuity. It is a ride which deserves being dragged and carried accross every square inch of the face of this earth... it has earned its right.

But, it is an utterly useless piece of junk, more useful as a lawn ornament than for transportation... but I think the question was for the best looking, not the most sensible. But to me, travelling in style is as sensible as travelling in comfort, with performance and reliability, etc. I must admit though, I do miss my motorcycle sometimes when I ride my scooters.

Wheres my bike
 

No Elefants even mentioned? Even if they are as reliable as British trains they do look the part, don't they?

Dear Denis,
A gentlemans challenge indeed! Whilst I am tempted by the offer of a pint I wıll not be in Scotland for several months and will be unable to take the challenge of the swollen swonnicles. Too bad ;)
Matt
ps- my name ıs from Aberdeenshıre!
pps-I apologıse for my remarks re: your bucket. It was ın reactıon to your defaming of my Indıan prıde and joy! Not an excuse though!

Old Glory!
 

Dear Wheelie,
Not so much into Vespas or scooters but anythıng that goes vroom with a history! Hence the Enfield takıng up space ın my pops garage. (Next to his 1932 Riley Specıal, it could be genetic!)
Actually, (to be just a little serious for a moment) I think it has to do with connection to the machine and the road. You can FEEL the road through the forks of an Enfield, you can HEAR the indivıdual explosıons ın the cylinder, you can really hear the strain of the engıne as you pull away at high revs, you get a much greater feelıng of connection to an old bike than a new one. It's almost symbiotic. Even the bloody work you have to do on them makes them more special!
Its the same with a car, in my pops Rıley, with the roar of the wind in your face, the scream of the engıne, feeling the tyres skitter across the road in a hard corner, leaning over the door and pulling wıth all your might on that huge steering wheel to hold it in line, that exhaust note that sounds like a Spitfire in a hard climb. God, it's hard work but theres no modern car in the world that can match that feeling. (Before anyone asks, no I ain't ever driven a supercar, I'm just assuming my dads car is better!)
Matt

.................................................. ........................................
Aberdeenshire is not Highland - I was right. So I'll say "Fit like my loon!".

I am still hurting about the "bucket" remarks...you sure know how to hurt a guy. My bottom lip is still trembling....

If you say that word "bucket" to Harleyrider or Bossies then they will run crying to a moderator and whine and whimper like babies. It's so embarrassing. They're such girlies..

Haste ye back tae Bonnie Scotland

Denis

Bucket of $**t
 

Well I must agree with you there Denis. My F650 was a bucket of $**t when I bought it. Bike looked good on the outside and ran fine but after closer examination it was a clanger. But after many frustrating hours in the garage stripping the bike to bits and rebuilding it, without any assitance I might add, the bike is an absolute pleasure and I would like to present it as a viable option for a RTW bike....now that it's gotten over all it's niggling issues and hang-ups.

I have also now gone from knowing very little about the mechanics of bikes to being able to diagnose pretty much any fault on my Funduro. Saved be loads of $BMW's to fix it myself. And yes I'm really proud of myself for doing it. Hope I can be of assistance and pass on the knowledge.

Hi Matt

I have suffered the problems of old bikes which is why I want nothing to do with them now. My first bike was a BSA B33 bought for a fiver. I used to go into the Highlands most weekends on it, pissing oil, and I can tell you that in Loch Lomond, from Luss to Inverarnan, there are clutch plates, sidestands, assorted nuts and bolts etc etc. All from the old BSA. The dynamo never worked as it was made by Lucas (Prince of Darkness). I learned a lot on this old banger, but in the end I installed a Fiat 500 cc engine out of those little cars they made.

I got rid of it and loads of engine parts to someone for a song. I was glad to get rid of it. After many other bikes, now I am on the Africa Twin you hunger for, though your jealousy is well concealed. I urge you to stand straight and tall, be rufty tufty and buy one. You will be respected by all and you can look windswept and interesting as you journey everywhere. You can join the human race at last!

Tooting my own horn, and another vote for Italian stuff, I'm fond of Italian singles.

Like say, this 1965 Ducati 250.

--Dave

Ural...
 

I'm tooting my own horn here too - I just love my Ural. I'm learning how to fix every part of it and how to upgrade what is upgradeable. But I think it's darn good lookin'!

Going back to the original question, I can only think of one bike that (still) gets my heart-rate going, and one that I can still buy, although in "replica" form from China, is the Honda CT-70/CT-90 Trailbikes. I know that it is a trail/commuter bike, but it was the first form of freedom for many people in their teens, being able to ride around on the streets on something other than pedalling under their own power. I guess the Honda Spree 50cc falls into a similar category as far as independence, but the trail bikes looked "masculine" vs. the, well, girlie Sprees, and the similar scooters from the other brands in the early to mid-80's. I have to give my thanks to Lifan for still producing this trailbike!

http://www.americanlifan.com/lifan/models/g7.html

No !you're all wrong!!

Honda CT 110
 

I would say my Honda CT110 has to be the hardest looking ride around...
Itll look even more ballsy by the time I finish my trip.
1month to go before I leave.
Perth(Aus) to Morocco via central asia. Hoping to be on the road for 18months or so this trip.
Ill put a pic up in the morn.

Obviously the R1150GS for me as it gave us such great experiences.

However to add to that in no particular order...

The Africa Twin

The Yam XT 600 Tenere

My little XR 400 is coming on nicely

And anyone of these if I win the lottery:
HPN-Motorradtechnik GmbH - Germany
Click on mmmmmmotorcycles!

I plan on being in India in May for a period of time. Look me up, AussieNat if you make it through there!

--Dave

WEll back on track and my 2p

I think the best LOOKING stock bikes: (once you get in to modified it is way to hard)

1) Africa twin RD07
http://fotos.marktplaats.nl/kopen/6/...1345b2521c.jpg






2) BMW R100GS or 80..
http://www.ultimatejourney.com/PD.jpg

3) Yamaha XTZ750 SUPER Tenere
http://www.albatrosmt.narod.ru/temi/...enere-1995.jpg

4) KTM Adventure 990 (in black-- other colours not so good)

http://www.ktm.ro/files/990_adventure_black_big.jpg


5) BMW F650GS/PD

http://www.selclene.co.uk/cyn/bmw/dakar.jpg



I also reckon that is the list that I would use one too... well no take the KTM out... I dont trust em yet..

You are all wrong!
 

Like they say in Highlander, there can be only one!

p.s. for anyone that didn't instantly recognise the bike it is a Cagiva Elefant 750, being modelled here by Alexander Alexandrovic a.k.a. Sasha in Ashgabat (TM)

And if you're reading this at home kiddies, he doesn't ride in those boots, they are made for walking.
At least I hope he doesn't.

We went dune bashing in the dark and he lost both of those slip-ons and ended up barefoot. Took about an hour to find them when the light came back....

Seconded. I have one too! Love it. Definitely got a "go anywhere" feel to it, just not very fast!

Then they cut off the others head....??? ouch!



Ohh i forgot about the eles... and yeah they would be up there...

While we're at it, how about this Highland? I like the idea of a desert storm 950 cc weighing in at 170 kg. They haven't been able to make this fly for real, though.

http://www.highland.se/uploaded_file...esertstorm.jpg

The new KLR650 looks pretty nice now:

http://foto.meta.ua/albums/userpics58/582110/klr650.jpg

The special 650 bmws that touratech offer look pretty good similar to the dakar bikes very purposeful.

How about the basic bmw 80 gs thats a cool looking bike no unecesarry styling bits just the bits you need.

The new tenere looks good too.

Look up survival bikes they are a form of rat bike very mad max they look like they would scare the natives.


There is only one problem of having a good looking overland bike and that is that if it looks good and flash someone else is probably going to want to get their sticky mitts on it.

Maybe its better to dress down so to speak, lots of odd colours and gaffa tape help with this.:thumbup1:

Heres the Daddy
 

Been all around the world on this baby


http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...iker/bike1.jpg

the forgotten Transalp !
 

Nobody is mentioning the good old depndable TRANSALP.....I dont know how to put a photo on here, but you all know how good they look.

:thumbup1:

I sorted the photo of the Transalp XL650 V6

http://www3.honda.nl/globalimages/ex..._blue_2006.jpg

and this is the best colour too, in my humble opinion.

Heres the Daddy
 

Dick, that's one sweet-looking machine you have there - clean, simple and unadorned (and as for that slick zorst...). My compliments:mchappy:

The hottest new offering from Italy?
 

Anybody seen a MotoMorini Granpasso? Can't wait to get my mitts on one of these....... I reckon they will be popular with people who are looking for a more attractive alternative to an 1150 GSA

Ohh guys ... I have to disappoint you all together..
the perfect overland bike is invented already by a Swedish bloke.... see the image.

last year on my way up north on the ferry from Helsingborg to Helsingoer... I made this picture... just look at it, this bike has all the tricks and gadgets you need on a overland trip...........
Interchangeable fuel system catering stuff on mass, lots of space for all your toys and souvenirs, a comfortable seat, easy to maintain and so on... it's road legal too.... just perfect........

Wow...not sure if he got his farkling ideas from the guys over on ADVRider...;)

[QUOTE=spooky;184940]Ohh guys ... I have to disappoint you all together..
the perfect overland bike is invented already by a Swedish bloke.... see the image.

QUOTE]

He, he! Is that a DOORMAT on his seat?

Matt :)

[QUOTE=Matt Cartney;185037]this comfortable seat you see there is just a big sheet of "2inch uncovered chip foam", not even fixed any where to prevent it from falling off, so he safes carrying a sleeping mat as well (seat and bed and knee pad for repair jobs all in one) I do like this fast release tank system.... and even best this "Top-box" made out of a shopping trolley, no one will cut though that to nick any thing..... ;)

Did you notice this map-pin-board on top of the Top-Box... ?
What you can't see easily is that there is a dust pan bolted to the frame, works as a skid plate.... and there is no EL or kick-starter, instead he is using a winding handle like they used on cars in the old days....... wonder why there was a big Ford-alternator fitted on the right........ ?!

never seen a cheaper, lighter and fully equipped overland bike ever.......... ;)

Mind you... the chip foam would come a bit soggy riding in the wet, but can be replaced any time with out hassle........

stunning.... that's in the middle of Europe, not at the end of nowhere..... he may just came back from his RWT and all the expensive bits are rattled off........... :)

So don't you think it's better riding your bike back home in dignity, rather than dump the tackle and loose the deposit you payed on the carnet ? .. would you ?

I guess we are coming to a point where the truly wayfarer meets the traveller on the blades tip.... ;)

Hanno

Here's my bid for the ugliest...but it's starting to grow on me.

-Jeff

my nomination
 

Pete Forwood's 180+ nation Harley ... it doesnt get any cooler than that. Doesnt matter what you are riding, if you saw him coming the other way, you would stop and take your hat off to the man and the bike.

- - -

I think we should start a HU museum for historic bikes. When Pete has finished his remaining 6 countries we museum his bike.

There is still Louis Bloom's original Mondo Enduro bike around somewhere ... that would be good next to it.

FWIW (a lot less than the other two) I even still have one of the '94 Tokyo-London bikes and Chinese 00002 number plate.

There must be plenty of interesting other donations possible ... ;-)

Come on guys. You have to admit this thing is hard!!!
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...rage-small.jpg
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...nder-small.jpg
It takes us anywhere we want and parts are everywhere!

Nope you're all wrong
 

This is the best looking bike.

http://blog.crazymoto.net/wp-content...ture-125-1.jpg