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age of bikes - important? age of bikes - important?
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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 3 Apr 2005
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age of bikes - important?
am going on a central and south america (and beyond) open ended trip, leaving summer 06 (too far away...), and have decided on a africa twin.

having just smashed up myself and the road bike, (in a straight line at 90 on a good, straight road. go figure!!) i need to buy the bike now. looking around i see a lot of 1994 bikes with 30 odd thousand miles on them. I am a competant mechanic, and can easily fix anything that needs doing but am wondering if there is a reason to avoid my first instinct of a older, higher milage (but good nick) bike, and save extra pennies for a much newer one. (£1000+ difference - thats a month in S america at least!)

money is tight for this project. all advice and suggestions about all parts of the plan and trip will be welcomed!

thanks

dan
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  #2  
Old 3 Apr 2005
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I wouldn't hesitate to get an older AT. Not just because of their reliablity (it's a Honda blah blah blah), but because of their superior quality to the later ones.

When the Yamaha Tenere big monster thing came out a lot cheaper, Honda redesigned the AT taking off lots of little bits and pieces in order to save money, remarketing the bike at a price more like the Yamaha.

There is a higher ground clearance on the older ones too: they are, I think it is fair to say, closer to the trail/off-road idea that the XL series began with.

Gradual "improvements" have lead away from this towards a more road oriented bike. The same is true of the Transalp.

Not that later ATs aren't good ( they have a bit more power I believe), but for overlanding, I think that the older ones edge it.
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Around the world 2000-2004, on a 1993 Honda Transalp
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  #3  
Old 12 Apr 2005
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cheers for that. on with plan A. although the bike has now changed to a transalp. didn't realise just how heavy the africa twin was till i rode the thing...

dan
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  #4  
Old 10 May 2005
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An older bike is probably better, Have a new BMW dakar and have to change the intinerary a little to suit the service requirements

Mexico so far has been friendly and safe with easy access to gas and the things needed.

Cheers Geoff

------------------
In mexico heading south to central and south america until Jan 06
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