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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 Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

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


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #1  
Old 5 Mar 2007
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allrounders with 17" wheels
just a follow on from another thread, how do others feel the latest versions of "allrounder" bikes like the versys and triumph tiger will cope with their 17" front wheels?
I would have though a 19" front would have been a better option even if the bikes were only ever going to tackle loose packed gravel or dirt tracks.
personally i feel the versys and tiger are now the motorcycling version of the 4x4, they look the part but will be sadly lacking when it counts.
I know you can use anything to tour but these bikes seem to be just following a style trend.
anyone else got any thoughts?
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Old 5 Mar 2007
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Not a thought, a fact: It's up to the rider! You'll pass most of n00bs on 250 to 450cc KTMs on some TDM or Multistrada on offroad if you're a rider enough.

A thought: bigger front wheel (19" or 21") brings more comfort offroad, but you'll lose some of the tarmac "drivability". Strict offroaders have 21" on the front but they aren't that "sharp" maneuverable in the curves as the 17" wheelers are (i.e. supermotos or superbikes). That's why they made 19" for big trailies, which is a compromise between strict offroad (21") and onroad (17").

Anyways, with those big pigs like TDM, new Tiger etc you don't do much technical offroad anyway so I think they aren't that bad and their focus is OK in many ways on using 17", riding on the civilized roads. And you can always mod the forks to adapt 18" or 19" front wheel too IF you really spend lot on offroad with the bike.

Supermotos definately are very trendy currently.
Last edited by Margus; 5 Mar 2007 at 15:44.
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  #3  
Old 5 Mar 2007
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They are building stylish Bishopscourt Tractors because most of them don't venture further than the roadside above Clifton 4 and Victoria Road in Camps Bay (Both bikes and 4x4).
The marketing strategists have realized that a smelly armpit Defender or a chunky XT, DR or similar does not sell to people who don't intend to cross rivers with them.
Every good 4x4 nowadays needs power steering, climate control and a wealth of electrical gizmos and every Adventure Tourer needs to be capable of doing two up with panniers at 180km/h. And they both have to look good in front of the Cafe. The capability to deal with bad terrain is secondary.
We get what we want (the majority of us).
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  #4  
Old 5 Mar 2007
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Smile It's the name of the game
Yes as Margus says it's all about compromise - nothing will be 100% perfect. And that's only the bike!

We often improve our bikes but forget to improve our abilities - I know I make this mistake.....
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