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2UP Bike for £2000 2UP Bike for £2000
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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 8 Mar 2010
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2UP Bike for £2000
I need some recommendations for my budget of £2000. Must be comfortable for 2 + panniers + topbox.

Im starting to get itchy feet and want to go a trip sooner rather than later, so a cheaper bike is what it will have to be. Me and the fiancee are both small people, im about 11 stone, she is 8 or 9 so it doesnt necessarily need to be a massive goldwing or anything.

I was thinking F650GS (possibly lacking in power fully loaded but im sure i would get used to it), should get a reasonable one for 2 grand. Or maybe a 1100GS if im lucky (would rather the 1100 as the majority of the trip will be sealed roads no doubt, and i dont have the confidence to go major offroading with 400kg+ of bike and load)

Any other cheapo suggestions folks?

BTW, we have been to Italy on my FZ6 Fazer which is a small bike, sore arses but ok apart from that, just to give you guys an idea on the size of bike we have used before.

Cheers, Dave
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Old 8 Mar 2010
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XT660R will do what your asking,and you should be able to pick up a 2007 for about £2000
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Old 8 Mar 2010
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Assuming that you want a Dual sport bike, then I'd suggest either Transalp XL600V, or a Vstrom 650. Otherwise, if you hunt about, a BMW R1100GS might turn up. Any and all are very good bikes.

The only I have not owned is the Vstrom, but having ridden a SV650, which has the same motor I can say the lump is sweet!!
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Old 8 Mar 2010
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Loads of bikes available for £2k, just depends what you want / need. If you are sticking to tarmac the choice gets even wider.

I'm sure you are aware that singles are lighter and better off road. The twins are generally smoother, more powerful and better on road, but heavier if you are going off road. Here you could look at transalp, africa twin, vee strom all of which should be available within your budget. Don't rule out a triumph tiger either, the triple is a lovely motor. Many of them came with factory fitted panniers as well which means one less thing to buy. It would be a handful off road though. Having said that I would think twice before taking any bike, 2 up and loaded, off road.

Have a look around and don't rule out an older bike just because it's old. Check out condition / service history etc.
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Old 9 Mar 2010
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2000 pounds bike
I have to agree (again) with "warthog" and "Rossi"!

I own an older Honda TransAlp - 1991 model, with 400ccm engine only(built for the Japanese market due to license restrictions).

It took me and my girlfriend (+ all the outdoor stuff we needed) to quite a few places (Hokkaido roundtrip touring 3000+km) and we never experienced any problems.

Sure, if you are looking for a racing / competition bike maybe the TA is not what you are looking for (it is NOT a Fazer)! But if you are looking for easy maintenance, good gas-mileage, reliability - then that's the bike you want!
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Old 9 Mar 2010
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You will struggle to get a decent 1100GS FOR 2k. 2.5K maybe.
I would suggest one of the 900cc Triumphs, either the Trophy, Sprint or Trident. They are all very competent long distance bikes. I used to have a Trident with a headlamp fairing which was ace. I currently own a Sprint which is the same but a proper half fairing. Even better at mile munching. You shoul dget an absolute minter for you 2K.
The Tridents actually seem to be going up in price at the minute!
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Old 9 Mar 2010
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xtz750 super tenere
great 2 up bike
2 grand gets you a very good one
ours took us 2 up to Cape Town from UK without a single problem
decent off road ability too (in the right hands)
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