Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Best dual purpose ( for me ! ) Best dual purpose ( for me ! )
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 17 Apr 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Penela, Portugal
Posts: 73
Best dual purpose ( for me ! )
HI folks

Looking at changing my FJR for something smaller (600-800cc ) with the ability for some gentle off roading ( rough mountain tracks and trails etc ) nothing too heavy going requiring an all out off road bike. Bearing in mind I'm 5 ' 6 " and would need something that could cover motorway miles comtfortably to get me across Europe, what would you recommend ?

Any advice greatly appreciated
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Apr 2010
Riq Riq is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 246
wee strom
jst my opinion.

I have a couple of KLRs but they are rather tall.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Apr 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Posts: 1,049
If you want only gentle off-road ability you can afford to look at twins. They will be heavier than singles but probably smoother on motorways.

If you want cheaper look for an older Transalp 600/650. I'm 5"9/10 and I can comfortably put my feet flat on the ground on my XL600V. Africa Twins will be too tall. Certainly, for my part, I'm very happy with my TA. It's almost 17 yet will start at the first push of the button!!

The new Yam Téneré is also said to be a very capable bike in many respects despite being a single.

Otherwise, a second hand or new the DL650 V-Strom. Finally, if you wallet can stretch you have KTMs or the BMW 650GS or 800GS to look at.

Your best bet is simply set yourself a budget and then sit on and, ideally, test ride any and all bikes that you can afford.
__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Apr 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cahokia Illinois
Posts: 60
Consider BMW single cyclinder F650GS or G650GS
The bike is very dependable, you shouldn't have to fiddle with it to keep it running. Just turn the key on and hit the starter.
Change the oil and filters and keep the chain lubed and adjusted.
The bike suspension can be lowered and it has factory low seat options that should make it low enough for you.
Get fuel injected new or used (Low miles) they are great bikes.
No problems at Interstate speeds

It weighs 350lbs and can be an impossible lift for some people.
The chain gang forum at The Chain Gang has ton's of info and used bikes for sale.

Good luck.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Apr 2010
ozhanu's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Izmir, Turkiye
Posts: 794
i am also 5 ' 6 " (170cm app) and i used to have v-strom dl650. bulletproof bike in all aspects. just take the small black plastic bits under the seat out to lower it about 1 inch.
__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Apr 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: southampton england
Posts: 105
best bike
Quote:
Originally Posted by ozhanu View Post
i am also 5 ' 6 " (170cm app) and i used to have v-strom dl650. bulletproof bike in all aspects. just take the small black plastic bits under the seat out to lower it about 1 inch.
vstrom dl650is a good bike i am5'6'' and have no probs rideing it on or off road. Needs a sump guard and engine bars if you plan to take it off road. 11000 miles this year no probs .
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 20 Apr 2010
Steve Pickford's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
If you're new to offroading, buy a cheap bike such as an older Transalp with the 21" front wheel. You will drop it at some point, no point in damaging a more expensive bike.
__________________
My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 20 Apr 2010
Steve Pickford's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 994
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kestrel_KLR View Post
The bike is very dependable, you shouldn't have to fiddle with it to keep it running. Just turn the key on and hit the starter.
Change the oil and filters and keep the chain lubed and adjusted.
The bike suspension can be lowered and it has factory low seat options that should make it low enough for you.
Get fuel injected new or used (Low miles) they are great bikes.
No problems at Interstate speeds

It weighs 350lbs and can be an impossible lift for some people.
The chain gang forum at The Chain Gang has ton's of info and used bikes for sale.

Good luck.
F650GS single cylinder weighs 190kg wet or 418lbs

The taller Dakar weigh about 3kg more.

The G650 series (X-Challange & X-Country) weigh about 159kg or 350lbs wet. The G-series only have 10 litre fuel tanks, if you want/need a better tank range, then the F650GS range have 16 litre tanks.

Don't confuse the single cylinder F650GS with the newer twin cylinder bike of the same name.
__________________
My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 20 Apr 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cahokia Illinois
Posts: 60
Smile F650GS weight correction
Steve,
Thanks for correcting my 100 lb weight mistake, I should have said 450lbs wet not 350lbs. :confused1:
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Which dual purpose bike? Horses Which Bike? 10 21 Aug 2009 07:38
17 inch dual purpose tyre? wobbly Tech 3 31 Dec 2008 11:27
What is a decent dual purpose 250 cc bike Andy78 Which Bike? 8 25 Sep 2008 07:39
ADV best dual purpose tyres ? Dogo BMW Tech 3 4 Oct 2005 21:16

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:35.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top