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Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 26 Feb 2006
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I need the voice of experience
Hello to all.

Starting a RTW on June/06.

Most details are more or less worked out except of course a minor one: GSA1200 or Dakar? Brains says Dakar, heart says GSA1200. We'll see what the coin says.

The Route: Toronto-->Mexico-->Central America-->South America --> New Zealand --> Oz --> Far East with/out China --> Pakistan/Iran-->Middle East-->Turkey/Greece/Italy-->Tunisia and Eastern North Africa --> Southern Africa -->West/NorthWest Africa --> Europe/Scandinavia -->Russia/Mongolia/Siberia-->Alaska-->Toronto.

Two years, give or take a few months; 160k km.

Would you chance it with a bigger bike?

I will be hitting two rainy seasons: Central America and the Thailand/Laos/Cambodia region.

I will be hitting Siberia in late August and September.

I have had the benefit of this great site, yet I know a lot of you have already done this so there is no point in reinventing the wheel [though, this is perhaps why we are are doing this after all].

Are there single point failures that I need to guard against?
Cheers
Elias
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  #2  
Old 26 Feb 2006
quastdog's Avatar
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Location: Chiangmai, Thailand
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By GSA1200 - do you mean the BMW 1200 GS Adventure model?

If so, the answer is easy - the 650 dakar.

Word is in the states at least, you'll be lucky to obtain one of the 1200 GSAdventure models before fall of '06. What's coming in are already allocated/pre-sold by most dealers.

[This message has been edited by quastdog (edited 26 February 2006).]
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  #3  
Old 26 Feb 2006
Nigel Marx's Avatar
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Location: South Island, New Zealand
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F650 is the answer. Other than North America and Europe/UK you will be cursing the bigger bike. It will be an extra 50-60(?)KG millstone around your neck. In fact in about half of the countries you are travelling in, the 650cc bike will be huge overkill. The locals ride 150cc bikes for good reason. Don't fall into the trap of wanting to impress the locals with your big shiney bike. I had a couple stay with me that were travelling RTW on two bikes; DR650 and DR200 Suzukis. The guy on the 650 said the 200 was a much better bike for the trip, and if he ignored his ego, he would be on the same bike.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

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  #4  
Old 26 Feb 2006
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Or, if you look beyond BMW, the KLR 650. Lightweight, less expensive, easier to maintain, parts more available, more durable.

The KLR weights in @ 331 lbs. Light is right. Good luck~~
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  #5  
Old 26 Feb 2006
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Location: London
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We rode to Croatia last year - he on an 1150GS and she on 650GS. The 1150 cost twice as much in fuel. Admittedly, a nicer bike on the tarmac and spacious for the times we went 2up or to carry a lot of gear.

The 1200s have 2 computers for the engine management system so if something does go wrong you're probably up the creek...

btw, she now prefers her R80GS to the late model 650GS for touring - lighter, easier maintenance etc..
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  #6  
Old 14 Apr 2006
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Talking Take the smaller one
I had a choice between the R1200GS and the F650GS Dakar
Recently back from a hop down to Mali and back on...F650GS Dakar
Take the smaller bike- better fuel consumption, easier maintenance-etc.
Can't think what I can do on '1200' which I can't do on 650
But I can the other way around!!
Bon voyage!
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  #7  
Old 14 Apr 2006
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Atw
[QUOTE=Elias]Hello to all.

Starting a RTW on June/06.

Starting a RTW on June/06.

The choice of bike is a matter of personal preference. Most adventure bikers seem to favour the on/off road models. If you plan on lots of excursons from the main roads it may be a necessity. But to demonstrate that the trip you are planning can be done on a heavier, if you stay on the main roads, I list the trips I have made on a Honda GL1800 Gold Wing (Dry weight 791 Lbs, 359 kg):

2002 New Orleans - Usuhaia, Argentina and back, 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
2003 New Orleans - Prudhoe Bay (Deadhorse) & back 14,000 (22,400 km)
2004 Arount the World (from New Orleans and back via Alaska, Japan, Siberia,
Mongolia, Russia, Scandinavia & Europe) 26,000 miles (47,600 km)
2005 New Zealand 2,700 Miles (4,320 km)
2005 Australia 13, 212 miles (21,139 km)
2006 in 2 weeks I aam heading for a round trip of Africa.
Estimate 25,000 miles (40,000 km)
And I am now 80 years old. - Good luck, Hans
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  #8  
Old 15 Apr 2006
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Location: florida for now
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Journey
Hello travellers:

I am also travelling this coming august.
I have a question for all of you.
I am travelling on a suzuki SV650 naked. I have a windshield installed...
Now my question is, why do most of you travellers use enduro or dual sport bikes. I know of course the matters regarding off road capabilites as well as fuel tank capacities and upright sitting position among other things. But in my case, the SV650 is a very comfortable bike to ride, it does not have the fuel capacity of BMW or even KLR's.
anyway, what good advice would you give me regarding this matter.
I hope tp meet you down the road, i am travlling from laredo texas US, to Ushuaia in Argentina.

Thanks for your help,

good luck to all travellers.

dennys
Quote:
Originally Posted by Elias
Hello to all.

Starting a RTW on June/06.

Most details are more or less worked out except of course a minor one: GSA1200 or Dakar? Brains says Dakar, heart says GSA1200. We'll see what the coin says.

The Route: Toronto-->Mexico-->Central America-->South America --> New Zealand --> Oz --> Far East with/out China --> Pakistan/Iran-->Middle East-->Turkey/Greece/Italy-->Tunisia and Eastern North Africa --> Southern Africa -->West/NorthWest Africa --> Europe/Scandinavia -->Russia/Mongolia/Siberia-->Alaska-->Toronto.

Two years, give or take a few months; 160k km.

Would you chance it with a bigger bike?

I will be hitting two rainy seasons: Central America and the Thailand/Laos/Cambodia region.

I will be hitting Siberia in late August and September.

I have had the benefit of this great site, yet I know a lot of you have already done this so there is no point in reinventing the wheel [though, this is perhaps why we are are doing this after all].

Are there single point failures that I need to guard against?
Cheers
Elias
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  #9  
Old 27 Apr 2006
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Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,342
Thumbs up Choice
In the end , it is whatever bike YOU feel is best for you. If you read threads, people from all walks of life have used all sorts of bikes from mopeds/scooters to the heavy weights.

I can only suggest is you read up reasons as to why anyone chose a particular bike and evaluate how you feel about it.

The reason many use , for example, BMW's F650 is that it is a solid all-rounder, master of none but jack of all trades.
MIne is fitted with the extra long range tanks (11 litres each side) which are very well balanced . (TOURATECH )

Think about where you will be going/your ability to repair things/or obtain support etc etc A Gold Wing could be great on motorways but personally I shouldn't like to take one into sand in Africa!!
but I took my F650GS Dakar from Kent in the UK through Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Mali and back. Brilliant, alittle heavy in sand, then corrugations, tracks of various descriptions and even crossing flooded oueds in 94 cm deep water!
BMW Best Motorcycle World-adventures Bon voyage!
Last edited by Bertrand; 30 Apr 2006 at 10:59.
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  #10  
Old 30 Apr 2006
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 356
Use the head on your shoulders and get the F650.

The SV650 is a great bike as long as you stay on pavement. If Suzuki and Kawasaku would co-develop a KLR v-twin that would be something.
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