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50K km Dommie or 100K km TA? 50K km Dommie or 100K km TA?
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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.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 31 Jan 2006
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50K km Dommie or 100K km TA?
Gals & Guys,

I am researching buying my next bike, and have pretty much narrowed it down to Dommies or TAs. I am aware of the difference between singles and twins and the off road - on road focus differences between both models.

My budget allows for either a 10 year old Dommie with 50K km on the clock or a 15 year old TA with 100K km on the clock. In terms of reliability / engine life expectancy, which situation is better?

I've read on a recent post that Jap singles need engine replacements or similar by 40K km. Does that apply to XRRs and other more powerful singles or does it also apply to sedate singles like Dommies or XTs?

Additionally, is it realistic to cruise for a couple of hours at a time at 75mph = 120 kph on a Dommie when I hit the highway or dual carriage road?

My typical trip will involve 95% of tarmac or packed gravel with 5% of soft sand or mud or sth else.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Lepium.

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  #2  
Old 31 Jan 2006
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I've recently had some similar questions. When I asked around, I was told the following:

One cylinders offroad usually have a MAJOR service interval at 100k kms. These onecylindered bikes are very suceptible to the kind of heat that is generated you get from loading the engine hard by riding offroad. If it has been used a lot for offroad riding, the engine could be pretty much shot at even 50k kms. Bikes with liquid cooling behave different in these terms. Bikes who have been tarmac bikes, maybe only a short joyride off the road a few times in its life, will go much further. The bike should start very easy, if it doesn't then stear clear!

I have yet not researched the topic thoroughly enough, but so far, my choice criterions of a one cylindered offroader is:
50k kms upper limit, 10 years upper limit, otherwise in a good nick. These are the upper limits where I would feel comfortable purchasing. I'd also require full service history and have it checked out, unless the bike was really cheap. A bike that looks like crap very often is just that, crap. A bike that looks all nice and shiny can also be crap, but your chances are better.

With your choices, I'd go for the Dommie... But I'd check out its history if you can.
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Old 31 Jan 2006
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You can't do 2 hours at 75mph on a Dommie without fitting a windscreen!
Also fully laden (with overland luggage/boxes etc) cruising at 60 seems kinder to the engine (unless you've got a tailwind). Could be a gearing thing...
Mine has been extremely reliable though across Africa. Now done about 40-45000 miles (speedo broke in Nigeria!) (64-70000kms) and ticking along fine. Valve clearances done 8000 miles ago.

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  #4  
Old 1 Feb 2006
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Yeah my dommie has been great but at 80 000 km's it's just in for a bit of an engine rebuild still ran great but used a fair bit of oil not the end of the world but as I plan to carry on to south america with it figured it was best to get it done. My clutch only lasted 70,000 km's too so that might be worth doing on an older bike. As for a screen go to a bike wrecker and buy a screen from almost any sports bike turn it over ie top to bottom and a couple of self tapping screws will attatch it nicely to your headlight surround they work great and most are pretty tough forget big money for some crazy thing on brackets from Givi or the like first time you hurl your bike to the ground it will be gone!!!! boo hoo
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Old 2 Feb 2006
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My dommie was up to 108k when I sold it. The engine was fine although the rear suspension was in need of replacement. It is comfy on the roads and not too shabby on the dirt; with the right tyres.
I think it would make sense to get it carefully looked at before you go, perhaps even some preventative maintenance too.
The older ones have elec and kick start which is handy.
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  #6  
Old 2 Feb 2006
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I echo the same.

My Dommie happily does 70mph, without a screen, fully loaded and with nobblies on. It's a bit tough on the old stomach and arm muscles when the wind is against you though. A screen is on my (ever growing)list!

With a screen and tyres that are more forgiving for mostly road travel, you should be able to cruise fairly comfortably.

My speedo broke too! And the electric start only can be a real b@st@rd if she refuses to start.

Only racking up 20 thousand miles on mine, and all seems good (she's also 10 years old). Due for a new chain and sprocket though and have spare cables already rigged on the bike (just in case).

I chose my Dommie because I didn't want to be purposefully excluding myself from any rough stuff. If I knew that my trips would all be more road based, I would be tempted to lean less towards the Dommie (but then, I always want to be able to play too).
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