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100 GS, Africa Twin or Transalp???????? 100 GS, Africa Twin or Transalp????????
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 2 Jul 2003
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100 GS, Africa Twin or Transalp????????
Hi,
I drive a R100GS at the moment and I am not unhappy with it. What I don´t like is the milage, the bad brakes and some minor things like windprotection, etc. Now I want to go on a longer trip next year and am a little worried about reliability. My bike has 70k Km on the clock right know and will have at least 90k when I leave. And from what I hear by then the driveshaft is due, maybe the gearbox and some other things. Now I think about getting a Honda VTwin, cos they seem to be extremly reliable and fuel efficiency is supposed to be way better. Is that the case. And what about offroad capability? Is the TA as capable off road than the 2v-GS, how about the AT. I am going alone, but later will do smaller trips two-up. What would you suggest. My main interest is reliability and fuelefficiency rather than power but the bike needs to be going over the rocks and the sand at least as good as the (standart) GS, which is not really doing to good on that. Thanx for your advice.
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  #2  
Old 2 Jul 2003
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Hi,
Being a transalp owner I would recommend the uhhhh errr... Transalp!
You are right that the Honda v twins have a reputation for reliability, that is the reason I was in the same position as you about a year ago. I decided on the Transalp over the AT as it is lighter and cheaper. The only draw back is that I do think the AT looks more rough and ready. Put crashbars on your Transalp to protect the fairings and you should be fine. I've taken mine to the Saharah and she was fine. The only thing I would change for offroad is to put progressive springs in the front as the ones it comes with are a bit soft.
Which ever way you decide though, they are both good bikes so enjoy deciding!!

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  #3  
Old 2 Jul 2003
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I have gs before u go rebuild gearbox and get ecric dermant to rebuild the driveshaft and you should be fine
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  #4  
Old 2 Jul 2003
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KTM LC4 640 Adventure, think about and it all makes sense....
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  #5  
Old 3 Jul 2003
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Hi,
I thought about rebuilding gearbox and driveshaft, but wouldn´t that be kind of expensive? And then I would need to upgrade rear wheel suspension as I have standart at the moment. I would love to keep the gs for power and comfort, but it seems to be a matter of price. There isn´t to much money to spend.
The KTM-Idea is nice. I have driven one a couple of weeks ago. It was really nice but also really hard on the butt. And then I don´t really know about reliability either.
Could anyone give input about off road capability of Transalp, Africa Twin in comparison to my (heavy)GS.
Thanx for your help
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  #6  
Old 3 Jul 2003
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Doublefour.

I’ve never ridden a 100GS offroad so can’t give any comparisons but I did do quite a bit of offroading on my old AT. Like the GS, the AT is a heavy bike to take offroad but it is surprisingly competent as long as you stick to rocky, hard packed or gravel surfaces. I also found that riding in sand wasn’t too bad. Like any big trail bike, the AT struggles a bit in muddy or boggy sections but as long as you take it steady, it should be fine. Overall, I found the AT to be a fantastic bike and would definitely have another one.

In terms of trading your current bike in for a Honda V twin, I think I’d be tempted to stay with your current bike. At the UK horizons unlimited meet last weekend, I saw many airhead GS’s with over 200,000 miles on the clock so 90,000 K’s isn’t too bad at all. Having the gearbox rebuilt and a new shaft shouldn’t set you back too much and once it’s been done then the bike should be fine for at least another 50,000 miles = peace of mind. Plus, you know the history of the bike which unless you go for a brand new Honda is more than could be said for any used AT\TA that you buy.

HTH and good luck.

Alfie.
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  #7  
Old 4 Jul 2003
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Hello

I had the same "problem" last year deciding wich bike to get. I was considering TA, AT or GS. I had almost decided to go for an TA because of reability, weight and price. Until i a friend bought an AT, and let me try it. Wow what a bike! brakes, suspension and handling is way better than TA. Steady as an rock on tarmac and gravel. I fell in love at once. It is handels better than my former XL600LM on piste, due to more flexible engine and stable chassis. In muddy section it`s to heavy i think. In situation with large stones it is heavy and the ground clearance is to small. In sandy section it`s quite god and stand in its line as long as you have som speed and momentum. The brakes is fantastic, maybee a little to god for loose surface.
And fuel consumption is no better than your GS, i think, TA is better.

I support Alfi and personally think I would have stayed with the GS. GS also have an reputation of high mileage. Servicing is simple and you know your bike.

God luck!

Frode
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  #8  
Old 5 Jul 2003
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Hi,
thank you for your input. I haven´t really decided yet but I tend to stick with my GS and rebuild whatever needs to be rebuilt.
If I was to buy one out of the three bikes now without owning one I propably would go for a Honda. It is really difficult.
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