Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Bike for the Wife - Advice appreciated Bike for the Wife - Advice appreciated
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
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 11 May 2006
Kiwirider's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 97
Sl230
Hi

Good to hear from another Kiwi

I had never heard of the sl230, until now!
Does it have electric start?

What your partner has/had, is exactly what I we are trying to achieve.
Thanks for the info, now we have to find one for sale

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 11 May 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: belgium but now on the silk road
Posts: 140
Hi,
I drove a yamaha TTR250 from kolkutta(india) to belgium and now i am touring around in southeast asia on a honda baja xr250 and me girlfriend does her first driving here on a suzuki djebel 200.
i really like these bikes. like you said if you one go affroad its much more pleasure and more adventure. didnt see any big bikes do what we did on our small bikes. small bikes are light, cheap to ride and easy to repair. but keep em that way. get a luaggerack, go for softbags and keep the weight down. my girlfriend is really happy with her djebel 200. it has a lower seatheight and makes it perfect for her to go offroad. she did already some nice stuff here in the golden triangle...
good luck
greetz niels
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 11 May 2006
Stephano's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 887
Smile XR250 Baja
Ouch! There are some really negative comments about F650s here. Well, anyhow, I’m not plugging them, just saying that the standard bike is lower than the Dakar, a lot of people like them and they don’t fall apart at the sight of a gravel trail. They do get very wide with alu panniers on though.

The XR250 Baja is like all XRs, a very reliable, practically indestructible bike and has excellent off-road abilities. I used to ride one over sand dunes (though not with panniers!) – no problem at all with the right tyres. It also had electric start so if you got one you wouldn’t have to modify it.

The drawbacks are the heavy, small metal tank and the big, big headlamps which can be swapped for parts from other bikes.

There’s some good information on them here:
http://members.fortunecity.com/chorzempa/xr/xrx.html
Stephan
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 12 May 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: the world
Posts: 87
honda sl230
Yes they do have and electric start plus come standard with a rack on the back and a very useful headlight with a metal rack around which we mounted a little screen on (keeps the bugs out of her teeth!!!!) If you do end up picking one up get in touch at richrtw@hotmail.com.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 12 May 2006
Kiwirider's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 97
Sl230
They do look good, we are going to have a look at one tomorrow
And you say they are pretty good at 100km on the road

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 14 May 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: the world
Posts: 87
Yes they are fine at 100 kph. Just recently I pulled the restricting cover off the airbox and went from a 122 to a 136 main jet which gave the bike a lot more go and even better economy. I'm going to see if it is happy to now run slightly higher gearing thus lowering the revs at 100kph you certainly don't need to do this but it will be interesting to see how it feels. The guy who made the exhaust for my NX 650 did wonders over the stock system in terms of go and he is keen to make one for the sl230 but we shall see!!!!! I hate to change somthing that hasn't rotted away or worn out!
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 16 Jun 2006
Caminando's Avatar
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
Smile My bike for your wife
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiwirider
Howdy

Didn't really know where I should post this topic, so sorry if its in the wrong place.

Anyway my wife and I are very keen to start exploring the world by motorbike after our daughter heads overseas for a year on a student exchange in August 2007.
But we need to take things a little step at a time.

My wife doesn't really have any motorbike riding experience (except she is a Swinger on a Speedway bike!!) so I need to find her a bike that she will be able to handle on and off the tarmac.
Her build and height is quite small so I am thinking a 250
I have an XR250 trail bike at the moment, and thought about modifying this and then getting another one for her, but with the electric start so we both have the same bikes.
The XR250 is a relatively cheap bike, the one I brought was a 1996 model, but hadn't really ever been used, it was a commuter bike to work and was owned by one owner, it had only done 4,000km and was fully road legal.

Our plan is to initially start on smaller day trips, then progressing to longer overnight trips, before heading out to explore the entire South Island over a few weeks.
Now I anticipate that the majority of our riding will be on the tar and gravel roads, but I do know lots of trails off-road that we need to explore.
This will be allow us to unload the luggage and go off exploring the more adventurous trails here in NZ.
I realise that the XR250 is quite light, and perhaps not quite as comfortable, so will it stand up to the rigors of long travel, and carrying the extra weight? Panniers etc?
I would really appreciate any hints or tips that you may have before I decide one way or the other?
I really want to know things like
Can you get a bigger fuel tank?
Will the frame be strong enough?

For the New Zealand tours I think the bikes will be suitable as I dont expect to be travelling more than 200-300km a day, but I am thinking of a more leisurely pace

I would ideally love the 650 Dakar, but I need to wait and ensure she is confident before we make such a commitment.

Do you think we are heading in the right direction?

So you want to exchange your wife for a bike? Well I have a little runabout I use for work etc. Ridden every day without problems. Would you swop your wife for my Kawasaki 550 Zephyr? We could exchange photos to check condition and wear and tear. My bike is an "H" reg. How old is your wife? My bike has a few bumps and dents from a previous owner. What condition is your wife in? You say she's "a Swinger". That sounds good.

Good roads

Well I hope I'm reading you right!
Last edited by Caminando; 16 Jun 2006 at 17:57.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« 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
Hitting an animal on the bike - experiences and lessons lear davidmc Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 26 23 Jun 2008 16:53
Virgin rider seeks advice on which bike for Africa! bakhante Which Bike? 5 19 Mar 2003 17:49
Dirt road riding techniques - your input please. gmarch Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 4 23 Dec 2002 20:53
tattoo artist and his wife travelling by bike taintedgloves Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 1 29 Aug 2002 12:16
And the question remains the same, which bike? Edward The Head Which Bike? 13 23 Apr 2002 07:00

 
 

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 16:29.

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