Bike weight conundrum
 

Folks, recently a number of medical issues have warranted a re-examination of the bike choice for my RTW trip, due specifically to knee and hip injuries (67 years old). Apparently the Afrca twin (2016) I have is 22 kgs lighter than the latest Yamaha Tenere 700 models (210 kgs). I would not consider a change if I was commuting or doing short trips only but for a trip in excess of 12 months, riding much more frequently, it seems to me that over a long trip particularly the lighter bike may be a distinct advantage. The payload is virtually the same for both bikes. Comments welcome.

Eh…The Africa Twin 2016 is 22 kilos lighter than the Tenere 700???

https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mo...0twin%2016.htm

According to this specsheet the AT manual is 232 kilos and the DCT model is 242 kilos. That means the AT is considerably heavier than the Tenere 700.

I rode around the world on a +200 kilo bike and if I were to do it again I would never ever choose a bike over 200 kilos! Remember in most parts of the world the road standards, the traffic intensity and such things predicts an average speed easily kept by a 250-300 cc bike.

I concur with Snakeboy.

After many bike tours riding solo on rented bikes, if I were to travel on my own bike it would be a bike less than 200kgs curb weight.
With the weight limitation set, the engine capacity would not be more than 350cc I reckon.

I would reconsider the choice of bike for your RTW trip.
:scooter:

Bike weight conundrum
 

Hold everything! I have made a mistake!! Of course the Africa twin is heavier than the Tenere 700! I was just checking to see if you were all paying attention! Well done. You have all passed the test! Seriously, I meant that the Tenere is lighter than the A /T ( by about 22 kgs for the non-DCT and more for the DCT version. My question still stands though... for a 1-2 year trip across various terrains, is the weight reduction important enough with the Tenere to warrant selling an A/T (2016) already set up with stiffer front and rear suspension, custom - made seat, improved screen , better headstock bearings etc. Anyone done the 'swap' or similar? How did it go? Apologies for the boo boo previously.

Am thinking good fuel economy , spares , don't need more then say 80 mph tops........then add ur luggage . Think the other fellas are about right 250 - 300 cc :thumbup1:

This is where a C90 / CT110 or similar comes in - easy to get on and off, and about the lightest bike that can cruise at 50mph. Also, they look damn sexy.

Having run into wiped out roads on my 105Kg Tango, I've said I don't want to go to remote places on anything heavier than that ... my other half once pushed it 8km to get petrol without problems, wouldn't want to do that with a bigger bike, lol

Bike weight conundrum
 

Yes, lighter bikes if suitable are the way to go. I once pushed a KTM 950 adv. 6 kms to obtain fuel. Hard work! I need the higher payload though and a smaller bike probably won't provide that. Also, I need decent highway speed as most of the trip will be on tar. The Tenere 700 wasn't available when I bought the A/T, so at the time it was the bike for me. I'm 105 kgs so a fair margin of the weight allowance is gone before I add a tent, camping supplies and other gear. I appreciate the comments though.

Good point, gotta cut the purse to suit the pocket and all that ... one thing I would say is that I found the new Ténéré (and the old XT660Z) to be very top-heavy so although it's got less weight over all it might not be any easier to handle than your AT ... my other half currently has a Himalayan 411 and with it's low CoG it feels less unwieldy to pick up or park than the Ténéré, though it'd be a tad slow for your tastes since you only get a cruising speed of 100kph or so (riding two-up with luggage doesn't phase it though).

There's a balance to be struck IMO. Heaver, more powerful bikes do well at road touring, and small ones are better off road. The converse is true and frankly in a RTW trip where you could encounter all sorts of road conditions, I'd err on the lighter side. You don't want to be picking up a monster on your own in the middle of the Gobi. Equally 1,000 road miles on a 250 trail bike could get a bit wearing.

As a 68 year old bloke with a recent metal hip I can't speak too highly of KTM's 790 Adventure. Good tank range, low CG and reasonably low seat height, capable on or off road. My only reservation is that it carries a lot of electronics and from personal experience if something sparky does go wrong you need dealer diagnostics to sort it.

One I'd also consider is the new Honda 775 Transalp. A fair bit lighter than the AT and similar power. Or the (also new) T700 Explore - shorter suspension than the standard Tenere for a lower seat, which I thought was too high on the base model when I owned one.

I'm not sure there are any "real middleweights" I'd recommend right now. They all seem to be "adventure styled" with cast wheels and low exhausts.

All things being equal I'd go for a middleweight if I could, as it probably gives the best of both worlds. As it stands my trip this year will be on a 10 year old XT660Z. Awesome tank range, bulletproof engine, fairly electrically simple. Still a bit tall and heavy but sadly there are no unicorns.

Always a compromise
 

Weight is important.

The rest will always be a compromise. And we have all different things that are important.

Only you can make that compromise that fits you best.

I am also old and have operated hips.
=> I do not want high bikes and I do not want heavy bikes.
But I want bolt on luggage system.

My friends in Colombia thinks that Honda XRE 300 is the best travel bike.
https://www.honda.com.br/motos/adven...ail/sahara-300
But it is not available in Europe

I prefer Himalayan. Heavier. But the weight is low. (Center of Gravity)
It can handle almost everything.
And it is ready as it is. No need for major modifications.
Including Aluminium luggage system.
OK. 20 kg less would make it even better.
I only wish it had tubeless tires. (comes as option for the new model)
(So much easier)

I did 31 000 km on mine in South America
My friend has done 40 000 km
No issues.

My wish list.

• 400 cc
• 30 hp
• 150 kg
• Tube less tires
• Max seat hight 825 mm
• Bolt on aluminium panniers + top case

Not easy to find.

===
Alternative ???
https://youtu.be/HM05mJaCGYs?si=VZh_uRkPHIJgSPuS
==

Hello

I've only had a short tarmac testride on the Africa Twin and it felt like inbetween my XT660Z (208kg) and XT1200Z(263kg?).
For my taste to big for sandtracks.

But as said on previous posts, the weight on paper is only one thing.
Today I have a KTM890R adv, a few kg more than the XT660Z but a huge difference on sandtracks due to the low centre of mass.
(KTM 790/890adv are great concepts, but would never recommend for a RTW due to the quality of KTMs today)

Location: Maitland Australia
If you are still living there, you have all the roads/tracks one will find on a RTW within a week long trip.
Can you still handle(have fun) the bike on the roads/tracks you want to ride?

If not, go smaller/lighter, T700 or DR 650 still available?

I know that on smaller bikes than that I have no fun at all, then I rather take my bycicle.

cheers sushi

Travel
 

"I know that on smaller bikes than that I have no fun at all, then I rather take my bycicle"

Well, we travel for different reasons.
I want to see places. see fantastic views, learn about countries and cultures.
See how people live, work and eat.
Learn about the history.
And maybe get my own people to better understand other areas.
I like to interact with the local people
And learn more about myself. Pilgrimage.


Nothing of this is dependent on the amount of cc or horse power.

Thanks again for all the ideas. I will research some of the suggestions folks and see where I end up. By the way, a jack is available to lift a heavy bike off the ground, so that might help people who can't lift their bikes without help. Another item to carry I know!

I've seen those. There's a couple of different designs around but tbh if we've got to the stage where we need a jack to rescue a fallen motorcycle then there's something seriously wrong with our approach. In my opinion of course.


A bicycle! Way too heavy. Dump it and buy some running shoes. Nothing beats running through the countryside. Become part of nature rather than frightening it off with all that day-glo lycra :rofl:

Prior to this trip I have never considered using a jack but with arthritis in back and knees as well as a worn out knee (67yo) I have no alternative. I may not have anybody around to help you get it up, so a jack goes with me unfortunately.

Mhhh.... 110 kgs, arthritis, bust knee, back problems :(


It's a question of weight in every aspect. You need a bike to carry you plus luggage, and you need a bike light enough to pick up after dropping it :innocent:


Two cylinder bikes are IMHO a good choice for long distance travelling: Enough power, smooth engines, but even the Tenere weighs too much for a sore back. So the alternative is a small, light bike.



I had a test ride on a KTM 390. 160 kg, just under 40 hp. I'm 183 cm tall and felt comfortable on it. Besides that its got alloy rims, meaning that punctures are easy to fix.


Last year I swapped bikes with a South African and (first time ever) travelled on a 660 Tenere. Jeez, I enjoyed the trip. A very capable bike, but as mentioned above, top-heavy and net weight is around 210 kg.


Me, I'm riding a F650GS twin, and I'm a decade older than you, but I still manage to pick it up without removing the luggage. It is much lower than the XTZ 660 and about the same weight. But with back problems I'd take a close look at the little KTM or for rougher pistes the 300cc Honda.


My two cents worth

As always this question is not about the bike but about you - and mainly your personality.
A RTW trip can and has, been done on any bike from moped to Goldwing.
What do you really want to do?
A suggestion, if I may.
Make a sliding scale of ‘as max dirt as possible’ to 100% road and put a realistic mark where you stand.
Then think about how you stand on compromise.
Then think about your temperament.
Then correlate that with your riding ability.

Hopefully that will help you decide whether a big or small bike will be best for you.

I shall give myself as an example:
My choice was the 1200gs in my garage
A T700
CRF300 Rally
Using the technique above and financial considerations made me choose the 1200gs and it was perfect.

On asphalt with lots of freeway heavy is fine. The only problem is fuel economy. In a RTW, fuel costs add up. Downsizing for the benefit of weight is a good choice (single cylinder) but covering the globe is far more comfortable on a twin cylinder. As for which twin, that depends on budget, weight, hp, reliability and the types of roads you plan to ride. Be realistic with what the bike can reliably handle as breakdowns while travelling are not the same when cose to home.

On a previous RTW attempt, my Triumph weighed 270 kg without a full tank of gas and a 50L duffle with clothing/toiletries etc..

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7nsYw2ECsJW6uGnp7

It was heavy and gas consumption was noticeable, especially when I got to Europe. Eventually downsized to a Rally Raid Honda CB500X (currently for sale in the classifieds) and this was a far better choice overall.

This Honda is reliable, lighter, sips gas and the 500cc is enough hp to cover long distances without feeling the fatigue of a single cylinder. I've ridden a Tenere and it's got a lot more torque and hp but the CB500X was for me the best overall choice (lower base price and operating cost with enough hp for the roads I plan to travel).

Hi Fernbrook:

You sound a lot like me. I'm 69, and due to development of arthritis in one hip I have had to give up riding on my Honda ST 1100 & ST 1300. Over the past 25 years, I've ridden over 250,000 km on that ST 1100 in Europe, and I am going to really miss it. I'm without a motorcycle now for the first time since I was 16.

You didn't mention what kind of roads you plan to ride on. If you plan to travel on paved roads, then I think a bike in the 500 cc range would be suitable. I would not recommend anything smaller than 500 cc if you plan to do a lot of highway riding.

I think that seat height is a critical consideration if you have knee & hip issues. The lower the seat height, the easier a time you will have, not just mounting & dismounting, but paddling around in parking lots, etc.

I would not bother with a jack to pick the bike up if it topples. You will always be able to find someone to assist if you wait a bit (assuming you are not off-roading).

Let me know how your research & decision-making plays out, I am keenly interested.

Michael