 |
|
23 Sep 2010
|
 |
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Back in Blighty
Posts: 171
|
|
Have had a DL650 since early 2008,I got as I wanted a bike that would travel well with a pillion. My Strom has now done a few trips in Europe & is great for two up touring,however the suspension could do with improving(upgrading rear & front before next trip)If you do decide on the Strom I would suggest changing the hand guards & fitting a fork brace as it makes a huge difference to the handling.
Personally I am not sure that it is worth the expense of another bike & getting her sorted when you already have one that you are used to & is sorted for travelling,yes the Strom is more of a tourer but as has been proven its not the type of bike but the will to do it that counts 
__________________
Andy L
From the midnight sun to the silk & rhubarb roads, 2014
I am not an adventure rider, just a biker that has adventures.
|
24 Sep 2010
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: England
Posts: 437
|
|
|
Mate I have Bandit 1250, but have a look at MCN 15th Sept a guy took his SV while everyone else took the BMWF800GS, he managed it.
I would suggest if you are only doing limited miles off Rd why bother?
Stick to what you do know and save the ££ for the trip besides you know your bike how much your bike does mph handling, mods etc.
It all starts with a dream.
__________________
We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.
|
12 Oct 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bucharest
Posts: 118
|
|
|
I think I am over-thinking this one... I am going back and forth between buy the DL650 and the add things ( bash,luggage etc ) or just "improve" a little more the SV ( bash, rear suspension and front suspension ).
I would really like a DL but here in Europe even a SH one with ABS costs 5000 euros... and this is without any addons. So I would rather spend these money on the trip itself.
I do not want to go on hard-core offroad. But I am really afraid that I will not manage the normal gravel/non-tarmac roads that I might find "here and there" with my SV. Do you know if back wheel and front wheel are the same between SV and DL? I want to determine if I could put DL size tires on SV ( 150 back and 110 front )
|
13 Oct 2010
|
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Back in Blighty
Posts: 171
|
|
|
the DL takes a 110/80 R19 59H on the front & a 150/70 R17 69H on the rear.
hope that helps
__________________
Andy L
From the midnight sun to the silk & rhubarb roads, 2014
I am not an adventure rider, just a biker that has adventures.
|
13 Oct 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bucharest
Posts: 118
|
|
|
Yeap, I also knew the same thing about DL. And "on the paper" SV needs 120 in front and 160 in the back. But the question is, could I also run 110 an 150.
|
13 Oct 2010
|
 |
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnjinSan
I think I am over-thinking this one... I am going back and forth between buy the DL650 and the add things ( bash,luggage etc ) or just "improve" a little more the SV ( bash, rear suspension and front suspension ).
I would really like a DL but here in Europe even a SH one with ABS costs 5000 euros... and this is without any addons. So I would rather spend these money on the trip itself.
I do not want to go on hard-core offroad. But I am really afraid that I will not manage the normal gravel/non-tarmac roads that I might find "here and there" with my SV. Do you know if back wheel and front wheel are the same between SV and DL? I want to determine if I could put DL size tires on SV ( 150 back and 110 front )
|
You could fit a narrow semi knobbly 17 inch rear tyre on the front of your SV .
Several of the cheaper brands like Kenda and IRC do tyres in the sizes of 3.50x17 and I think Pirelli do a 120.90.17 .
If the tyre is directionally marked ,then put it on backwards.
Keep the speed down on the tarmac and you should be OK.
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
|
14 Oct 2010
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: york
Posts: 265
|
|
|
You can fit any size tyres that will fit in the swinging arm/forks, the only way to find out if your chosen tyres work is to try them and see.....or find someone else who has tried them, if you knew someone with a DL you could see if the wheels will fit yours. I think money spent on well set up suspension is never wasted:- improves ride/comfort, increases enjoyment,confidence,tyre wear(unless you start riding it like a racer), reduces stress and frees your mind to the scenery/traffic, it also gives your bikes frame and wheels a much easier time. You have to do as you see fit but you have a bike that's almost there, you could continue improving that and look for a DR that's not been abused......
__________________
Anything can happen in the next half hour
|
19 Oct 2010
|
 |
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by oothef
You can fit any size tyres that will fit in the swinging arm/forks,
|
No, not really. The tyre size affects cornering/handling, and a bit of awareness here would be useful.
In addition, if you have an accident with "any size tyres" you risk having any insurance claim thrown out, to say nothing of you being charged with a vehicle in an unsafe condition. You'll also have to inform your Insurer of any modifications - if you don't, they'll also use that as an excuse not to pay out. If you do tell your Insurer of this modification, don't say you fitted "any size tyres"!
The OP should be very careful of the advice that Oothef gives here. 
|
19 Oct 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: york
Posts: 265
|
|
|
As I said, the only way to find out is to try.....If the tyres are in good condition, insurers would have little or no case.I always have and always will fit tyres (and rims if necessary) to make a bike handle how I want it to, not how some development rider/engineer thinks it should.
I've a battered A/T with a 130 18 on the back, it doesn't suit, 140 is standard it had a 150 on it when I bought it, I can't see any insurer having a case that my bike is unsafe, they weren't interested when I told them about exhaust, seat, panniers.
When fitting different sized tyres you should ride carefully until you understand their effect on the handling, narrower profiles usually make steering quicker/more precise, fatter the opposite. then there's profiles........
__________________
Anything can happen in the next half hour
|
19 Oct 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Helsinki
Posts: 1,731
|
|
|
I second Caminando´s word of caution - radically altering your tyres is very risky, unless you know 100%, what you´re doing. And it might lead you to interesting situations with insurance, etc., if you´re involved in an accident.
Fitting knobbly tyres into a DL650 would not make it a perfect off-road bike (a tiny bit better, perhaps), and fitting the same on an SV (if you´re able somehow) would probably make it horrible on the pavement, and not really an off-road bike, either. There are other factors than just tyres, that make a machine suitable or non-suitable for something.
|
19 Oct 2010
|
|
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
|
|
|
Provided the tyres are approved for road use they should not void insurance in your home country .Check it out though because [thankfully]not every country is as anal as the UK with regard to insurance .
Tyres sizes are not uniform anyway and one manufacturer's stated size may actually be wider than another's.[I once had a 130-90 that would not fit inside the swingarm ,even though it was the standard size for that bike! ].
Once you are in Africa on your RTW nobody will care about your tyres .
ANY changes you make to the bike,such as heavy panniers , will affect the way it handles ,tyres are just another factor .You just have to adapt the way you ride to remain safe .
I choose tyres with the tread pattern that is most suitable for the terrain I intend to travel .For instance; Conti TKCs or Kenda Trakmasters for muddy unpaved roads and Distanzias/Anakees/Tourances for tarmac and dry gravel.It's simple and it is safer to have the right tyres for the job regardless of the original fitment.
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
|
19 Oct 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bucharest
Posts: 118
|
|
Very interesting discussion about tires. I would not dream of trying just any type of tires.
And I do not want to go fast, competition like anywhere... But from my very limited experience off-tarmac with the SV ( road tires ) was that in the mud/grass/wet track it can get really slippery. To my understanding a good pair of off-road tires would solve this (if going slowly ).
If I go with the SV then I know I will have portions of road without seal and so I would like to be able to do them without too much hassle... They would still be roads but I really cannot evaluate how hard it would be for me to go with street tires on Dalton Highy or on some African piste road. And again, speed is not an issue, steady and safe progress is...
That was the only reason why I was researching the possibility of putting 150 tires in the back and 110 in the front.
I know that whatever I do, SV will not be a real enduro. But then again neither is considered the DL ( by some ). And I just cannot convince myself yet that 6000 euro (1/3) of the money that I have, should go to a new bike instead of gas and so on 
Hmm it is good that winter is here... I will have a lot of time to think and plan...
|
19 Oct 2010
|
|
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
|
|
Yes the UK insurance situation is anal; we all know that - but try saying that when they disallow your claim. All carelessly given advice as we've seen on this thread is heading for disaster, legally and practically. Dont some people get the point that Insurers LOOK for reasons not to pay? That's all they want - not to pay.
Sure if you're in Africa etc it doesn't matter at all - you fit what you can get. But to recklessly suggest that you can fit any old tyre and just take a little bit more care is daft and dangerous.   
Anjin San isn't swallowing this poor advice, but others might.
|
19 Oct 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bucharest
Posts: 118
|
|
|
I think the situation in case of insurance claims or similar is pretty clear for all of us. So let's not get to flame up...
Unfortunately I do not have anyway the money to ensure the bike. Not for an international trip anyway. But I am interested in my own safety so the prospect of tire slipping on me is not too good.
But the question about the tires is not general : it is very specific to one point : 150 instead of 160 on the back. and 110 instead of 120 in the front. Let's say could I fit and use safely a pair of TK80s?
|
19 Oct 2010
|
|
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnjinSan
Very interesting discussion about tires. I would not dream of trying just any type of tires.
And I do not want to go fast, competition like anywhere... But from my very limited experience off-tarmac with the SV ( road tires ) was that in the mud/grass/wet track it can get really slippery. To my understanding a good pair of off-road tires would solve this (if going slowly ).
If I go with the SV then I know I will have portions of road without seal and so I would like to be able to do them without too much hassle... They would still be roads but I really cannot evaluate how hard it would be for me to go with street tires on Dalton Highy or on some African piste road. And again, speed is not an issue, steady and safe progress is...
That was the only reason why I was researching the possibility of putting 150 tires in the back and 110 in the front.
I know that whatever I do, SV will not be a real enduro. But then again neither is considered the DL ( by some ). And I just cannot convince myself yet that 6000 euro (1/3) of the money that I have, should go to a new bike instead of gas and so on
Hmm it is good that winter is here... I will have a lot of time to think and plan... |
Anjinsan , people ride the Dalton on fulldress Harleys and Goldwings .
Your SV650 will be fine as long as you respect the weather and road conditions .
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
|
|
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
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-14
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
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...
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™ 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!
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!
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.
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.
|
|
|
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).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
Linear Mode
