I am seeking new ideas for a motorcycle for my next extended trip and this time I want to setup the bike specifically with passengers in mind.

Background:

Beginning in 2011, I traveled 3 years on a KLR650, riding solo Alaska to Argentina and across Europe. I am from the USA but now I have made world travel a permanent lifestyle (yes, 8 years and counting) but have been with a backpack for a long time. I feel it will soon be time to ride again. I love the KLR as a travel bike but recognize it also has limitations and at the end of the day travel is what I love and the bike is my means to that end.

Purchase Location: Europe
Possible Travel Destinations: Africa and/or Russia/Mongolia/etc.

I will initially store the bike somewhere in East Europe to use locally before I head out on one of the above bigger trips. Once I set out on a longer trip, it would not surprise me if I am on the bike for 3+ years exploring the world.


My style of riding:

• This bike will be deliberately setup to be able to take along a passenger. Maybe for the entire duration (a year or more), maybe only a month or two, maybe people I meet along the way. Depends on who I meet.
• I avoid highways.
• I love dirt roads.
• I have no problem with technical dirt riding though I don't seek it out when traveling. That said, I took my fully loaded KLR to some remarkable places I should probably not have gone alone with a fully loaded bike.
• With a passenger, I stay with more comfortable civilized roads but still enjoy seeking out dirt.
• Luggage: Probably MotoBags semi-rigid panniers. Maybe a hard case top-box.
• Speed is fun but mostly I ride slowly and stop frequently.
• I prefer doing my own maintenance and enjoy making modifications to my bike. No problem with extensive modifications.
• I don't need to look pretty.
• I prefer an inexpensive bike but will consider one of the expensive ones with a compelling reason.
• A smaller bike would be nice, but passenger comfort is an important consideration this time.
• I will probably not carry camping gear.

A few notes:

One option which stands out is the Honda CB500X with a Rally Raid kit, but I am concerned it may feel too small and under-powered to be comfortable with a passenger (especially as I am tall, 186cm / 6'1") and luggage.

Years ago I had considered a KTM as they are reportedly comfortable 2-UP yet remarkably capable on dirt compared to the size. Except I don't like the difficult maintenance and the high price leads me to suspect I can find a better value.

An Africa Twin 750 was another option I looked at previously, if I can find one still in good condition with low mileage.

I have considered going more towards a street focus (rather than dirt) because I want this to be a passenger comfortable bike. But ... I do love those dirt roads!

I am really trying to approach this with no preconceptions. Suggest anything which you think might suit my described riding style.

Any ideas? What might I look at that I have not considered?

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Traveling The World Since: 2011
Blog: The Seductive Life (General Travel)

Since you already have mentioned the Honda Cb500X maybe its worth mentioning that it from 2019 comes with more suited offroad-potential than before. It has now 19’ front wheel, longer travel suspencion, engine slightly changed tuning for better low and mid range power.

A Suzuki V-Strom 650 might be an alternative. Reliable, can be taken off road to a certain degree, great power for two up, not very expensive either.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

I think one of the most important factors when choosing a bike to RTW on is to pick one that you will enjoy riding and that its also comfortable for your pillion .

The older Africa Twin is a capable long distance tourer with only a few well known issues that are easily fixed. however I found it shall we say ...Tight if your carrying a pillion. Unless that is your both on the small side as the seat on the old AT's is not very long . Also the pillion foot pegs are located close to the riders calf and often my pillions feet ( only a UK6 ) would dig into the back of my legs when I would stop and put my feet down .

Dirt road riding is almost un avoidable if riding through Mongolia and parts of siberia are often under road works which often can mean many many miles of gravel potholes and mud .

There are quite a few other suitable bikes that spring to mind and under £4000 should buy a low mileage bike thats suitable for a RTW .

Happy Travels

having worked on both recently, ktm and Japanese bikes I don't find ktm any more difficult to do maintenance on, as well any big difference in reliability.
Fun factor is on the KTM side though Regarding value for the money, probably hard to beat v-strom.

Othalan, what is your budget in GBP...??? I'm selling my 2006 GS1200gsa which I bought from brand new and it comes with some amazing hand crafted bespoke luggage.

Thank you all for some insightful comments!

Interesting. I have to revisit KTM. Thank you for this comparison in maintenance, I had not heard that about recent models! I had hoped to avoid the high price tag on the KTM brand name but the bikes do meet a remarkable number of my criteria....

Thank you for the offer. I do like the GS1200GSA, but it is not my style for a RTW travel bike at the moment. And this whole project is a bit more long term, so best not to wait for me to make a decision. Good luck!

I rode a V-Strom 650 before travel. I had not considered it because I know it is basically a street bike with only a tiny bit capability of dirt capability mixed in. Yet the reliability and comfort would be ideal for a passenger. Worth considering.

Great news on the 2019 CB500X! I may have to give one a test ride, see how it feels....

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Traveling The World Since: 2011
Blog: The Seductive Life (General Travel)

CB500X is not more off-road capable then v-strom, even after lift, just the opposite. V-strom has much more power, torque and suspension travel. Suzuki seat is also way comfortable, according to my wife.

With passenger I don't think so you'll be able to ride more difficult roads anyway, but maybe I'm wrong

The problem for you is that you want a bike that is good for offroad riding and that can carry a pillion well too. Thats kind of a contradiction.
The main thing on a bike to be good off road is that it is light weight. The main thing for a bike to carry a pillion well is that it is of a certain size, have a seat, suspension, ergonomy etc thats constructed for carrying a pillion and enough engine power to pull all this.
A Ktm690/Husky 701 will ve great offroad and for a long distance ride (with a good bit of upgrades that is) but it wont be a great pillion bike.
And a Suzuki V-Strom, old Africa Twin, BMW GS 650/700 twin/ GS 800 etc etc will be great pillion bikes, but those are too big and heavy to be great offroad.

So you have to compromize quite a bit here Im afraid.

I forgot the mention one model btw that could suit you and that is the Honda Transalp. I think I read it have been imported to north America only the first couple of years as of 88-89-90 or thereabout?
Its the smaller brother of the old Africa Twin. Came in 600, then 650 and at last 700 cc. Its a great bike, very popular in Europe. Honda quality - could have had a sixth gear and bigger gas tank though.

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Godd advice above.


THIS THREAD might be of interest to you.


Best of luck.

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Right Way Round ...

I got a chance to try out a CB500X with Rally Raid L3 and a few other modifications for dirt. Personally, I found it far more dirt capable than the V-Strom. But perhaps I have different dirt criteria than you. Fun bike yet I felt it would be too small for comfort with both a passenger and luggage. So ... not the right compromise for me.

As for where I will ride with a passenger ... you might be surprised. I certainly am at times!

Some good ideas and comments, thank you!

Though I do believe there is no contradiction in what I am seeking out, only compromises. The trick is finding the best compromise. This will be helped out by the fact that I have a few unconventional views for a motorcycle traveler. For example, to me the KLR650 I rode has sufficient power for myself, a passenger and our luggage. I've also learned from hard experience that a lightweight bike is not nearly so important as a bike which has the weight properly distributed for off-road conditions.

I was just looking at the new KTM 790 Adventure to be released this year. Lots of interesting improvements and innovations. I'm curious how a passenger and luggage will fit on it for an RTW setup. If it lives up to the marketing (I am skeptical), the main compromises might be only in cost and limited passenger space.

I did see that thread. Yes, interesting. Thank you for the reminder!

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Traveling The World Since: 2011
Blog: The Seductive Life (General Travel)

do a good pre-check of WHERE you can buy in europe and have the bike entitled to you. I live in italy and buying a bike without a residence permit is not possible, and i know many other EU countries have the same policy....