Searching for a Motorcycle to Explore Southeast Asia

[airbornebaby]

I really enjoy this site and all of your posts. I've been reading through them the past weeks trying to find the best motorcycle for the job. I could sure use your wisdom as I'm not making much headway in making a decision. I've ridden bikes in different parts of the world from West Papua to Europe and North America on sport and street bikes. I need a dual sport now for this adventure. I'm planning an indefinite motorcycle trip that will take me solo through Southeast Asia through Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia with my base being in Thailand. As an overseas contract pilot I've been living, working and riding motorcycles in some of the most remote and dangerous places on the planet so I am very well aware of the risks especially solo. I live for this stuff. 90% of the riding will be on paved and decent roads with 10% on some of the worst such as in Cambodia. I'm willing to accept limiting my travels in Cambodia if needed. I need a bike that can handle full side and vertical luggage, 1 female passenger and my 190 lb butt on there for long treks. I would keep it to decent roads when two up. My budget is 9K or less ideally 5-8 new. Ideally the bike wouldn't be huge as breaking down means lifting it into a pickup nor too high profile to minimize attention for security and theft reasons. I realize those two points are most likely unavoidable. At this time my top choice is the Suzuki DR650 but looks like it won't take kindly to full load + pax nor the KLR650 thanks to your posts. I'm curious to the DL650 or perhaps even the Versys. I'm willing to minimize the traveling in Cambodia. Any suggestions on possible bikes for the job? Ideally new but will consider older too. I would appreciate any help as this is a mind bender for someone who's used to riding sportbikes. You can check out my travels at A Site on Aviation, Motorcycle and Adventure Travel. I'm a Canadian from Toronto. Thanks for the great posts. Ride Safe! Ian

[dommiek]

Hi Airborne
I've just returned from 6 months in N. Thailand and Laos and was hiring different bikes. I can understand you wanting a dualsport bike but dont discount looking at a bike all the locals use. For example you can buy a new Honda 125 Dream for about 40,000 baht ( £620 sterling) sell it a year later and have half your money back....total cost of about £300. They are light, easy and cheap to work on, reliable, excellent availability of spares, economical and good off road, with a basket on the front to carry shopping, water, fruit, waterproofs etc. Theres no problem carrying a pillion or luggage, the locals transport the whole family on one bike. You can fit off road tyres, the only other modification I would reccommend is increasing the fuel range. I ride dual sport bikes in the UK, Europe and N. Africa but it could be a case of "When in Rome....." Hire one for a week and see how you get on,

Kev

[Osama Radzi]

Hey Ya Airborne!
Hows it going? Heard that youre looking for a bike? How about renting my Honda NX650 Dominator? But like all the other bikes that you mentioned this one is also not very suitable for two up! Defenitely no "ballroom" and after 200kms the your butt will start to sore unless you modify or add sheepskin to the saddle. A GS650, Pegaso or a Vstrom should do the job if you still looking under the 650 catagory.

I was in Toronto in '94, rode an old Goldwing1200 from Toronto to Detroit border, Windsor to meet a friend that study in Ohio. I had to meet him at border coz I couldnt get American visas, so instead he came across and we stayed there.
The Highway is a bit boring though...

Anyway, Im in Kuala Lumpur, I'll PM you my number & email!