Hi fellow adventurers. I have a dilemma with which bike to buy.
I'm an English ex-pat almost at retirement age, and having sold my trustee VFR750 several years ago I want to do some adventuring on my home island of Palawan, Philippines.
The choice is between a VERY low mileage (4800km) 2011 BMW G650GS loaded with lots of extras (crash bars, Givi top box and rack, skid plate, radiator guard, headlight guard etc. etc) BUT at a seemingly very expensive Php530,000 (US$10,000) or the much cheaper NEW Kawasaki Versys 650 at a mere Php380,000 (US$7600).
Now I know bikes are ridiculously expensive in Philippines (thanks to a 30% import duty), but the asking price of the BMW seems HUGE!
In my experience the 'extras' which the owner is using to bump-up the price can't be 100% added onto the 'value' of a used bike. They just help to sweeten the deal.
As I'm going to be doing 70% touring (with my wife on pillion) and 30% occasional gravel road, even if I could get the price down on the G650GS, what's people's opinion of spending more on a 2011 BMW as opposed to a NEW Kawasaki?
Crazy or worthwhile?

Crazy IMHO

if the extent of your off roading is decent gravel roads make sure you have a good 50/50 tyre on the versys and i'm sure you'll be fine (opinion based on riding a Vstrom on dry tracks so hopefully someone with specific versys experience will be along soon).

Are there other options? KLR650?


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The Versys will do fine. I have owned 2 V and one ER-6N (and a f650GS single).


When I lived in Brazil, the BMWs were insanely expensive due to huge import duty. I bought an ER-6N, as it was so much cheaper. I took it through rough unpaved roads around the state of Rio and it was fine. although it did not fare well on sand with those road tyres


I did gravel roads with the Versys around Europe in the past. Those Kwaks are fine bikes. Never missed a bit, even after staying all winter sitting outside, the V always started.


I forgot to add that the V is incredibly well balanced, it never felt like it "wanted to go" down, unlike the F650GS which spent a lot of time on its side!

So my opinion? Get the V.

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

versys is really capable bike, suspension is quite good for this price range
when I was testing it. For me though is a bit short.

You might like the reviews contained in this thread:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...s-thread-65709

__________________
Dave

Versys, hands down

Thanks to everybody for their invaluable input.


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I've added the Suzuki V-Strom 650 to my list as it would appear to be a little better at light off-roading than the Versys. So the choice is now between a 650Versys, the V-Strom650 and the slightly used BMW G650GS.


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I don't think so, kawasaki verys has better overall suspension, plus is lighter.

Sorry, menbers I am going for the BMW G650GS.

Not talking about the cost just talking about the bike.

Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT arriving in Philippines late July 2017. Price Php514,000 (US$ 10,100).
Subject to an OK test ride, this will be my choice.

Big enough for 2-up touring around my island. Rugged enough for occasional off-tarmac dirt and gravel roads.......
Can't wait to start my new adventure.

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I just Bought a 2014 g650gs in Colombia low kms 2550 10 grand Canadian and love it
Colombia is a big country with countless roads well travelled
this shit about BMWs and the Kool Aid crowd is nonsense if you want to live in a cave go ahead
here is a good example of what my friend described in Colombia
we go on day rides or multi day rides and always stop at some point in the the trip to visit a Motorrad to shop or rectify mechanical issues and when we arrive, of course we give them heads up they give us a Head of state welcome
the Colombians are very social and warm so they invite you to there lounge and offer you scotch or what ever and it is served by a drop dead friendly hostess in high heals an a miniskirt
now this is service! viva Colombia
Colombian service is impressive for example if want a haircut it can cost you anywhere from 2 bucks to 20 the twenty buck haircut is amazing they serve you what ever your thirst requires and i guarantee you you will come out of there feeling like a new man
Koolaid is not in the dictionary so go back to your cave
I have worked too hard in my life to go with the usual and am a proud owner of a bmw
Bye the way i am divorced my kid has grown up and educated and i and i am in a continent i truly love with a job
BUY THE BMW YOU WONT REGRET IT unless you are a cheapskate
Bums no need to reply

So, you want a bike to do Two Up touring ... on an Island? Do you plan to leave the Island at all? Seems smaller bikes could work OK ... one for each of you. (low cost as well!)

The BMW G650 is clearing over priced and very heavy with all the added extras on it ... most of which you may not need if circumnavigating a small island.

For your planned use, I would not pay for a new Versys either. Better buy a nice used bike.

With all the smallish Chinese and Indian Imports around maybe you would be better off buying 2, 250cc bikes? You ride one, your partner rides the other. Just a thought. The latest 250cc ADV dual sport bikes are pretty good and FUN!

Also, if you really want a project, look into riders who are taking older Versys
650's and converting them to ADV dual sport bikes. Google is your friend or look the thread over on ADV Rider about riders doing projects with the early Versys bikes. They do really well once modified. The new ones are not as good
for a ADV bike.

Ride a few different bikes, see which ones work for you. Maybe you can get your wife riding too? Women ride all over Asia, so why not?

Thanks for your comments. However there's absolutely ZERO chance of getting my wife on a bike of her own (apart from her 125cc Mio scooter) so a thought of 250cc is definitely not on the table.
My home island of Palawan, Philippines has mainly just 1 main tarmac road which runs north/south along its 500km length. Apart from 1 or 2 small tributary roads, everything else will be gravel or compacted sand/mud.
The reason I started looking at the V-Strom was that most YouTube reviews said it was better at occasional off-road than the Versys. Reviews also reckon it's slightly bigger than the Versys which I'm thinking may help if we're 2-up touring. I'm 182cm and 85kg so I don't want to feel cramped.
The new V-strom is about the same price as the fully loaded (5000km used) BMW G650GS.... both about 20% more expensive than the new Versys.
Decisions.... decisions !


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