I'm looking for a new bike (ok, an used one..). No matter what bike I consider to buy, the one is to heavy, the other one not reliable enough...-Perhaps you can help me out! I don't ride very fast (usually...), I don't like to stay on the main roads too long, I have some experience in riding (2 years on a Kawa 125, two on a 250cc street bike, about 40,000kms), but only few offroad-experience.I discovered that riding a street bike on bad roads is possible, but not much fun.. I know about how a bike works, but I still have to learn a lot for being able to repair more complex things on it. And the last thing is that I only have few money to spend for it.
Do you think there is a bike for me or should I better walk?!?
Thanks in advance, Johannes

Yes, there's a bike out there for you!

First, don't worry about finding the "perfect" bike - you won't. Your ideas and needs will change frequently, and thus the perfect bike will change frequently. Most experienced riders will tell you that their perfect bike is the one they have, or their next one. And that virtually all the bikes they have had were the perfect bike - for them, at that moment in their lives.

For you, now, get one that is of a suitable size and horsepower to do what you want - and no more! Many people will tell you that you need an 1100 rocket ship to do anything - you don't. 500 or 600cc is plenty for most touring in most parts of the world, in fact smaller will often do just fine. People have ridden around the world on 70cc step-thrus.

If you want to do a lot of bad roads, a 175-250 is very good - light and easy to handle, cheap, and cheap to repair. You will learn more about how to ride a bike off-road with a small bike than you will ever learn on a big bike, and you will be less afraid of it, enhancing your learning significantly.

I have always preferred a 175cc bike for off road. Still have one in fact, and I've been riding over 30 years.

Pick a bike suitable for your uses that's in your price range and ride it, you can always buy another one in a year or two.

Have fun!

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com