Yes I did point that out ... that I suspected it was regionally biased.

Anywhere where Americans ride (like the Americas) I also suspect will feature more Japanese singles (particularly KLRs) and fewer European bikes.

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I totally agree that it's a regional thing.

Personally I've met lot of KTMs but mainly in Europe and a few in northern Africa (right now northern Africa is more or less limited to Morocco). I haven't seen many Suzukis but I've found the percentage of XTs higher in Africa then in Europe.
When it comes to Kawasaki I have hardly seen any but that's probably because my experience is mostly from Asia, Africa and Europe.

Agree. They basically dont exist as a dual sport brand in Europe. When Europeans think of single cylinder Japanese dual sport bikes, they typically think of Suzuki DR/DRZs, Yamaha XTs or Honda XRs. I think the KLR never took off here because of the weight. They are 20kgs more than their peers.

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I think the choice of bike is governed more by market forces and price in the travellers country of origin rather than a carefully considered choice based on spec. or preconceptions about the terrain. GSes have a huge following in the UK and northern Europe. The vast majority have never seen an unpaved road but even so seeing them lined up in Tescos carpark has a significant influence on a prospective traveller looking to buy a bike for a RTW trip.

Those who are lucky enough to do a second trip are able to make a more considered choice based on experience, although it is interesting on Chris Scotts trip reports the number of people who say they would use the same bike again despite it downsides.

If I were looking at another major trip, I'd be powerfully tempted to buy the same bike as the one I just finished wearing out simply because I've got several thousand dollars worth of transferable touring gear attached to it. Also: a stash of spare parts and a degree of familiarity with the bike with all its strengths and weaknesses. The last thing I want to do is spend loads of money and time accumulating all the stuff I've already got.

In North America, the choice in true dual sports is often viewed as BMW (expensive), KTM (expensive and not too common), Kawasaki KLR (common and cheap), Suzuki DR (common and somewhat more expensive), and sometimes Honda XR (less common and again somewhat more expensive). The big single Yamahas are seldom seen and generally unavailable.

Thus: most common once you get into Latin America and away from the pavement are probably Kawasaki, Suzuki and BMW, not necessarily in that order....and a high percentage of the BMW's are ridden by Europeans.

I am not trying to state a preference for one over the other, and I'm not addressing prejudices I might have about certain sorts of riders (and/or their branded accessories!). I merely meant to offer a possible explanation for those whose direct observations appeared to contradict the poll results.

The above is highly subjective, probably delusional, and should not be subjected to rigid statistical analysis of any sort.

Mark

Great disclaimer

Hi Dodger,
rest assured, you are not the only nortonian here.
Below a (dodgy) pic of us somewhere close to the White Highlands in Kenya, 1982.
Norton Mk3 Commando and BSA A65.
Still ride the same A65 and (another) Mk3.

Attached Thumbnails

 

I guess I like to visit odd places

http://www.our-site.me.uk/bike/larry/P1000186.JPG

and

http://www.our-site.me.uk/bike/larry/P1000230.JPG

I have had 3 Paneuropeans one 1100 2 1300s 98000 on the 1100 127000 on the 2004 pan
Now i have a 2009 pan rode Turkey north Africa Russia all europe never and probs good solid bike good on fuel not too hard on tyres first class touring bike..Mike

You're right, colebatch

Among my friends there are 6 KLRs and 1 XRL of the regular riders and we're all past 50.Because KLRs are available and inexpensive. I have three '92 KLRs , why? well who knows. They were all inexpensive . Why not have some back up? The three of them cost me less than $3000.00 in total.With $0 in V.A.T. Wouldn't you?
But I digress. The last time I took a multi thousand mile ride I rode my 1981 Yamaha XV 920. Purchased at at swapmeet {auto jumble} for $750.00 , it is low milage , low maintanance and if it gives trouble on the road, "walk awayable" no regrets.
I reject catagorization.

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ride,smile,repeat as nessasary

For me familiarity bred contempt, and contempt turned into love-hate. On my last trip I swore down I would never touch an italian bike again but I have now aquired another overland bike that I am prepping for the next trip. It's a 1985 Cagiva, it's been raced and it's near totalled but it only cost 250 quid. I reckon it will cost about 400 to get fully prepped - most of the problems I had with the old one were with the air filter and electrics so I am replacing them all with a custom 'hand-made' loom and airbox and rebuidling the engine before I go anywhere. Whats the worst that can happen? (as I said that 'ironically' it shouldn't jinx me, in theory)

Bloody British weather, can't wait to get away!

XT600e duh...

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http://tufferpuffer.wordpress.com/

I'm hoping to add "Triumph" to this list very shortly

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

Like they always say, it's not what you have but how you use it!

In an inverse proportion to the size of my gut the bikes are getting smaller with time. All the way down to an XR250R and the best adventure travel bike I have owned - Monkey Bike next on list!