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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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 31 Aug 2001
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Big or small?

Dear adventurers.
I need your advice. I`m biking from Kerala, India to Norway next summer, and obviously needs a decent bike that can take me hassle-free through mountains and deserts alike. I`m not a very experienced biker, but have been condidering a second-hand, large beast of a R1100GS. Someone adviced me that I should have a larger bike which could take the beatings through Pakistani montains AND the Autobahn in Germany. However: I can buy a new F650GS or other bikes with smaller engines at a reasonable price. I`ll travel alone. Any reason why I should choose the one instead of the other? Will 650s, 750s or 850s endure like a 1100? (Bear over with me. I`m planning the journey of my life, and want to hear from you experienced guys.)
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  #2  
Old 1 Sep 2001
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Definitely go the 650 - the 1100 is way over the top for what you need, especially if you are inexperienced. You can tour just fine on a 250, and on the autobahns, (1% of your journey) you just don't on a 250 - there are plenty of other roads that are much more pleasant anyway.

The 650 will handle the autobahns just fine, plenty fast enough.

I guarantee you will be much happier on a 650. I'd take the 650 myself for solo riding. Two-up, the 1100 for sure.

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  #3  
Old 2 Sep 2001
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Hi Guys

Just travelled from London to Czech Republic on a F650 Dakar with a friend on a 1100 Gs.

The Dakar really proved itself had no real problems in keeping with the 1100 at a comfortable pace. The bike sits at 80mph all day and is considerbly lighter than the 1100.

The 650 is a great 1 person bike but if were 2 up would go for something with more power.

Hope this helps

Julio
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  #4  
Old 3 Sep 2001
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Thank you, guys. The ride through the Pakistani desert is a warm one. Is it perhaps better with air cooled engines than liquid cooled under such conditions?
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  #5  
Old 6 Sep 2001
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For maximum hot conditions, water-cooled wins hands down.

BUT - any modern air or water-cooled bike will be fine providing you don't beat it too hard.

I ran our R80G/s two-up, fully loaded with toruing gear, at 120kph plus through the Sinai desert in temperatures of 50c + in the sun. All day. No problem. It's air-cooled, and has an oil-cooler, which helps a lot.


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at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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Seek, and ye shall find.

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