Bike for 2up traveling
 

Hi guys,

I'm in the market for a bike. I'm looking for something that can do 2up with camping gear with the possibility to go Europe to Mongolia.
I was considering the 690 enduro, but this one is out of the equation as is a solo bike for that kind of trip.
I already have a xt660r with 31k miles. Would it worth upgrading to xt660z, another bike or put some money in the right?
Choosing a bike is a confusing time...

Thanks

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Lots to consider going Two Up. Has your partner ridden with you 2 up before? Can be tough duty for pillion. Best to do a good long shake down run before departure ... or she may bail out on you early on. Comfort is key.
If you go on an Enduro, things will be pretty tight for average size humans.

Also consider how much OFF ROAD you plan to do. If riding mostly ON ROAD, then I would not choose an Enduro single at all. No need for it. Too small, too crowded for two with luggage and camping. Sure, it can done, has been done. But is it easy or comfortable? :nono:

Here are a couple more practical bikes for going two up with luggage and camping gear:

1. DL650 V-Strom
2. BMW 650GS or 700GS Twin (really an 800cc bike)
3. Honda CB500X

There are several more out there that would be good. All the ones listed above can do mild off road, even rough, rocky dirt roads. Not single track trails. Also those twins may be tough in deep sand and mud ... this depends on your skills. But even an enduro single will be tough going two up in mud or deep sand.

The two of you need to get out and ride some bikes. Now imagine that same bike with 40 kg. of gear on board ... and try to figure out where it's all going to go.

I know from experience the V-Strom is excellent in this regard. Plenty of room for you, pillion and gear. I'd expect the BMW twins could be good too.

Fit TKC80 tires to the twins to make them much better off road.

Instead of a bike for two up, consider one of these.

http://www.theaa.com/images/allabout...06CC_front.jpg

Probably does more mpg than a bike. (diesel) luggage on back seat. instant bivouac at the push of a button. :)

http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/ca...s/2005090.html

OldBMW,you misread the original post- he wants a bike, not some shit box cage.

Wot he said- get the biggest most spacious bike you think you can handle in the anticipated conditions. You will have to plan carefully to avoid heavy going two up and some places or routes will be inaccesible to you, but that's just the way it is two up.

Thanks for the answers. Biggest baddest for this kind of trips would be the 950 Adventure SE, but the I need to improve the rage on it.
Now I'm toying with the idea of keeping the XT for 2up and getting the 690 just for me :D
I'll keep reading, searching and welcoming suggestions, maybe I can make up my mind before the end of August HUB meeting in Montenegro.

Sometimes it is worth thinking outside the box. I enjoy bike+camping when alone, but two up is less pleasant. Two in a car is much more comfy and practical. But then my objective is to enjoy the journey irrespective of the transport. This also affects my choice of ferry/tunnel/bridge and aircraft or trains. Trains can in fact be quicker and a lot more comfy than flying.

Two is better than one
 

Buy two bikes

xfiltrate

If I wanted comfy and practical I wouldn't even own a bike.

In many ways and in many situations I find a bike MORE practical ... when put up against alternate forms of transport. In the early 70's I traveled all over Mexico and Central America in a VW Camper Bus. Worked out well most times, but there ARE drawbacks. In mid 70's I took off and used public buses and trains, making it all the way to Tierra Del Fuego, spending over a year on the road. 3 more sojourns into S. America would follow in next few years.

Interspersed during those years I was able to travel by bike here and there ... loved it. Back then I could not see doing a really long trip by bike. I finally learned how and left the illusional security of a 4 wheel box.

Many Hubbers here have strong opinions about Bus travel ... IMO, going by bike is preferable most times.

For all it's plush conveniences, 4 wheels have down sides. Ever try shipping a car? $$$$$$ Carnet? $$$$$ stuck in bad traffic ... for hours? Parking? Break down, getting towed?$$$$ Break in? Finding a safe place to leave your car/camper/van? All are challenges. Sometimes easy, sometimes hard. Some of these same things are faced on a bike, but often they can be easier to deal with.

On a couple trips I took my Honda 50 Cub (step through) on the camper bumper and once settled somewhere, we used Honda day to day and left the camper parked. Worked great in Guatemala where I lived ON - OFF for 2 years.

I'm totally comfortable on my bike. I can ride it ALL DAY, day after day. Once your bike is set up right, riding becomes sort of addictive. But best advised to take periodic breaks and observe "real world" interactions as you move along. Too long on the bike solo ... you may begin yammering on non stop to yourself in your helmet. (been there, done that one) :unsure:

Riders get miserable because they often continue to ride when they should not.
Constant Rain? Take a break. Freezing cold? Same. Too HOT? Ride somewhere cool ... even if this means riding in middle of the night to get there.

I would never go back to a camper or motor home. Only would use a 4 wheeler econo-box as a temp situation where a bike is impossible. Most times a bike has the advantage.

Wives, girlfriends, kids often are used to justify going by big camper vs. Bike. OK, fine. But, last I checked women can ride pretty well ... if given the chance! Kids are another issue. No advice there.

To sum up, I find my bike totally comfortable ... and very practical as well. Practice helps.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-fNc76PP-L.jpg
Headed to Baja ... 1988.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-jN98BZp-L.jpg
10 years later still up to the same nonsense ... Copper Canyon on KLR Press bike, 1998. We saw not even ONE OTHER bike there. A few years later it would be jammed with bikes. :helpsmilie:

IMO - Stick to the 660r. Not enough advantage to go to the 660z.

• The suspension on the Z is way to soft for two up riding anyway, and you'll be better off spending the money on upgrading the R.
• About the only real advantage of the Z over the R is looks and a screen.
• If you need the fuel capacity- An Acerbis will be money better spent.
• Easier maintenance on the R

But then often we don't buy another bike because we think we need it... :innocent:

For me it's all about space. I'm 1m90, my wife is 1m75 so there is no way we could travel on an XT or 690 - I have a 690. We did once do a one night camping trip on my old XT500 which was painful.

We did however do a 50k kms UK to Cape Town trip on a BMW R100GS with 90kg of kit as well as us (150kg). We have learned our lesson now and although still on the same bike we can keep the luggage down to 30/35kg. The bike has always been comfortable but was a pig to ride on sand when overloaded.

I'm not recommending the bike as they area bt long in the tooth now, just pointing out that lack of space and too much weight may seem bearable when you set off but can quickly become a trip spoiler.

I finally ruled out the 690 untill my girlfriend learns to ride and gets her driver's licence. I narrowed it down to the xt660z and 950.
I'll take the Z over the R as it has a bigger tank and for the R I need to get one from Brasil, the cheap alternative, or one from Germany that is about 1000 euros. I'm not so inclined to carry fuel and for the xt there aren';t many alternatives.
On the 950 there are a couple auxiliary tanks and it also has better suspensions.
I think I'm going to get what I find on the market with an inclination for 950.

Just started to plan for Morroco and both bikes can do two up no problems :)