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19 Jan 2008
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Bike on a budget
Hi,
I am currently in the very early stages of planning a round the world trip that would hopefully commence midway through 2009.
At the moment I'm trying to get a rough idea of the all costs involved as my finances are slightly limited. I do not actually own a bike and freely admit to knowing next to nothing; so I was just wondering if anyone out there could help to point me in the right direction to begin with.
My very rough plan is to head from UK through Europe, Iran, Pakistan, India, SE Asia and then ship to South America. I think I would stick to main(ish) roads where possible, but hopefully do some 'light' offroading.
Based on my current finances I think I would be able to afford a machine somewhere in the region of £1K - £2k. I am not at all concerned with the speed of the bike, but more interested in it having good fuel consumption and also spare part availability in the places I intend to visit.
Does anyone out there own, or know of, any bikes that loosely fit this description ?
Thanks,
Dave D
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19 Jan 2008
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sax, Spain
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Buy a reliable one......
Yamaha XT600
Ask Kentfallen what he paid for his, less than 5000 miles on the clock and its immaculate... ok, I will let ya Know,,,,, Im sure he wont mind, Less than your Budget of 2000.........
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20 Jan 2008
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See above, would be a good choice for you.
To save money use soft luggage rather than Alu boxes.
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20 Jan 2008
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They may be hard to find over there but a used KLR650 or a DR650 or a DRZ400.
Soft luggage, dry bag on the top  not as "safe" as a alum box but far cheaper and does not attract as much attention.
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20 Jan 2008
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RTW with that budget = Small off roader if I was you 250/650cc Honda/Yammy but troll ebay as there are some good deals as it's winter buy now and save 20% on the summer price, maybe spend the saving on a slightly larger bike.
Take an evening course in maintenance with the smaller Honda/Yammys parts are easy to get anywhere., saves you getting ripped off A LOT.
I went for the F650GS Dakar, a little more expensive but is a good balance between off and on road.
A backpack strapped to the rear is way cheaper than any other rack, plus it can be carried on your back if need be, and it's put in a tent in seconds vs unmounting all my Touratech kit.
Apart from that write a list of places you want to see and then plan the route from there.
Oh and welcome 
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20 Jan 2008
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You may get one of these for £1000 - £2000
Apart from the earlier offerings there are, for example:-
Honda Transalp 600 or 650 = twin
Kawasaki KLE500 = twin
Suzuki DL650 "Wee strom" = twin
BMW F650 Funduro = single
Aprilia Pegaso (650cc) = single
Thereafter, your question is wide open. You could start off by sticking those bikes into the search facility in here and reading what comes up ("Which bike" is a good thread as a start point if you don't want to search too much!).
Then have a read of the threads about the advantages of small bikes: 250cc, 350cc, etc etc.
There are more of these appearing on ebay each day now that Spring is beckoning - you could get one now and spend time in getting to know that bike or.................
Enjoy the search for a bike!! 
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Dave
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21 Jan 2008
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Some reason my last post didnt work, internet problems. But i would be for the XT600 or the KLE500. Depending on how much off roading you want to take in and the roads you plan on taking really does depend on the bike.
The XT600 being a single, might be more viby at speed, and have slightly less weather protection. The KLE500 as walkabout said is a twin and should cruise on the road better allowing for a more relaxed touring. I was going to get one but here in Northern Ireland they are hard to come by second hand and at 6ft4 they where a bit soft of the suspension as i also weight in alittle heavier than most.
The suzuki DL is also a good bike, will cruise better than the XT and KLE, and has a great deal better weather protection than both the other bikes. But is not really designed for anything other than a gravel road.
All the 3 above bikes can be had very cheaply and spares can be had for all in most of the countries your going to.
If i where doing that trip i think i would go for the XT600, ive got its brother the XT660R and if the 600 is anything like it should be good. Also being an air cooled bike is alot less things to go wrong.
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21 Jan 2008
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Hey Walkabout
Honda Transalp 600 or 650 = twin
There goes the Neighbourhood  sorry couldn't resist Transalp owners
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21 Jan 2008
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Martyn is BANG on the Money...
YAMAHA XT600E
As Martyn says, Just got one for £1,600 and it's only done 5,000 miles....
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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).
Last edited by kentfallen; 21 Jan 2008 at 14:29.
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22 Jan 2008
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My vote
Yam XT600 3AJ Tenere just love 'um
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23 Jan 2008
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Some more Hondas
Quote:
Originally Posted by juddadredd
Hey Walkabout
Honda Transalp 600 or 650 = twin
There goes the Neighbourhood sorry couldn't resist Transalp owners |
Which reminds me about some other singles from the big H, such as the Honda Dominator and the XL600 (a bit like a Transalp with the fairings missing).
Lots on Autotrader that are in your budget.
Do a search on ebay and autotrader, restricting the bike choice within your budget and you will get lots of ideas.
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Dave
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24 Jan 2008
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Whatever bike you opt for get it as soon as possible that way it gives you loads of prep time, learn its niggles source cheap parts etc. It also gives you the chance to ride it often and get used to its consumption of liquids. 
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24 Jan 2008
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I managed a Cagiva Elefant for that budget prepped, luggaged and ready to go. They are great fun, quick and handle great. Plus the Ducati V-Twin sounds superb
I had a few problems with spares but that could have been easily avoided.
If you are mechanically competent I would actually recommend the elefant, superb on 'light' offroad, i.e. riding hardpack roads when the tarmac runs out. Bit heavy for green laning but much lighter than a GS or Africa Twin and has a carbed engine. You could buy my elefant (mkII) within budget, brand new suspension front and back, lots of spares including wheels. Has brand new TKC80's at the moment but it is just sat in my shed..........
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30 Jan 2008
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Personally i would go for the kle500, because you can get it at a bargain price right now. 3000 quid brand new, with warranty and all the advantages of having a new bike. but change the seat for the old style one, you can get them cheap off ebay .
see mine here.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...e-pics-25296-4
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10 Feb 2008
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Another vote for the XT600E!
Despite apalling abuse I have completely failed to kill mine. You could easily ride the route you mention on a completely unaltered XT (except for luggage). A big tank (eg. Acerbis, circa £200 for 23litres) would be nice but not essential, you could use plastic jerries on the odd bit of the journey where the petrol stations are far apart.
They are unsophisticated, but to be honest, that's what you want on a trip like that. And they are insanely tough, I've dropped, stacked, crashed mine lots of times and apart from destroying two sets of handlebars and scraping up my plastics/tank a bit the bike is fine.
If you did want to make adaptations to the XT, there are LOTS of bits and bobs available out there because so many people use the XT for just the kind of trip you describe.
I had a good look at the KLE before I bought my XT and was impressed. It's a bargain price for a new dualsport. In the end however the lack of aftermarket equipment and the fact that at that time I could find no instances of people using it for adventure touring (a cowardly reason for not choosing a bike I know!) meant I plumped for a v. low mileage XT instead. Either bike would be good, I'm sure, but I'd still plump for the XT personally.
Matt 
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http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/
*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
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My vote
Some more Hondas
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