Never thought I'd say it, but having ridden one in Eastern Siberia this summer, I'd suggest a "rebadged Aprilia" :-) , also known as a BMW G650 X Challenge, with non oem suspension like Hyperpro or Ohlins.

With XTank rear extra fuel tank and soft luggage. Rotax motor too. = Basically Walter's bike, but personally I wouldn't bother with a big rallye fairing. Naked is good for me.

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Ccm have revamped a bike using rotax engine same as BMW 450 engine,,, service is 6000 miles or so, must admit I like aprilia 600, old school, been looking at g650 x as the price for a second hand bike is about £2000 ish,,, I could do a lot with it, make sure it's been run in and not thrashed, but space is a issue only got room for so many bikes,,
So if I decide to have a smaller engine bike I will need to do this soon and make sure I get this right,

There's is a guy interested in doing the same run so could make sense to have the same bike as to split spares, but see what he would like to ride,,,

I'm not a fan of KTM's either... Fantastic to ride. Lots of power, great suspension. Lovely...

I just don't trust the engineering... Not somewhere remote anyway.


Maybe consider a XT660 Tenere. MUCH lighter than the GS but still comfortable long distance. It's no off-roader but maybe it's the middle ground you need.. It's got a good seat, good screen and fairings. The ride is smooth enough too.

You can pick one up for £3500. Why not find a dealer with one available to test ride.

Put the LWD DVD on and watch them on their 1150's. Absolute NIGHTMARE time. They blagged most of it. Put the bikes on a train etc... Even with their support team..

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

Well just to make things more complicated--bear in mind that you can't exactly assume you-ll be able to ride the OSR regardless of the type of bike you're on. If it's wet, you might be screwed either way. That said, you're certainly more likely to be able to do it on a G650X than an 1150.

On the other hand, you could certainly do the new federal road on your 1150 (or anything else with wheels).

Duz any one have a idea what it costs to send a bike to magadan from the uk, by ship,,,

Just a thought

If 2014 suits your timing rather than 2015, as you say in post #1, look at

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...740#post440339

Also

To get an idea of who can give you a quotation that will answer your question, see post number 19 at http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...e-trip-57891-2

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Excellent thread this and interesting to read everyones opinion. For my part I've just gone &
got myself an XT660Z - the weight argument has won it for me. Although the XT660Z
is at the heavier end of what is recommended by Colebatch, it feels incredibly light after
getting off the XT1200Z. I've shaved a few more kilos off also by replacing the exhaust,
removing pillion pegs etc and junking the hard boxes. Looking now for a set of soft bags.
Originally I was of the impression that hard boxes would provide some additional
protection in the event of a spill, but having read numerous accounts of how hard boxes
can be bent out of shape, trap feet etc I am going the soft bag route which also helps to
keep the weight down. I took the XT1200Z down to Wales some time back and deliberately
road it offroad onto some marshy ground to see for myself how much effort it took to get
back out. OMG - thought I was going to have a heart attack. I could probably manage this
a few times a day, but after that I would be exhausted. So while I can see the attraction
of travelling on a large bike you love, and like you my planning was for the major section of
the trip (tarmac) my approach has now been swayed towards keeping weight down and
planning for the toughest parts of the journey.