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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 Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 2 Mar 2013
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Dream RTW bike?

If money wasn't a real issue, what bike would you take for a RTW trip?

Some criteria:
- 1 up
- 50,000km+
- Road and offroad riding

I'd need to be able to pick it up when i drop it, would still need to get it serviced / repaired, and can't afford to helicopter in spares, so lets not assume infinite money.

I'd go with a mid-weight BMW, or the KTM 990.

What would you pick?
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  #2  
Old 2 Mar 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NYLon2000 View Post
If money wasn't a real issue, what bike would you take for a RTW trip?

Some criteria:
- 1 up
- 50,000km+
- Road and offroad riding

I'd need to be able to pick it up when i drop it, would still need to get it serviced / repaired, and can't afford to helicopter in spares, so lets not assume infinite money.

I'd go with a mid-weight BMW, or the KTM 990.

What would you pick?
Yamaha XT660Z or BMWF800GS or Suzuki V-Strom 650.
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  #3  
Old 2 Mar 2013
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If money wasn't an issue time wouldn't be either.

Enfield Bullet Diesel with no permanant luggage except the means to make tea, a bivvy bag and space for a collection of platinum credit cards and a tooth brush

Andy
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  #4  
Old 2 Mar 2013
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Kawasaki W800 or .... Yamaha xt660z, awesome bike. And so perfect to go rtw.
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  #5  
Old 2 Mar 2013
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Hypothetical question, for which I don't have an answer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Docsherlock View Post
Yamaha XT660Z
Quote:
Originally Posted by thecoon View Post
.... Yamaha xt660z,
Awesome height - about 895mm seat height from memory (and not much lighter than, say, a BMW 1200GS).
Perhaps those folks who actually ride these particular XTs could state their inside leg measurement (inches or mm). I get vertigo when I try to sit on them.


I'll stick with whatever I own at the time, which changes regularly; a case of "so many bikes, so little time left". There again, the perfect bike has not been built as yet - if it has, then I haven't come across it.
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  #6  
Old 2 Mar 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
(and not much lighter than, say, a BMW 1200GS)
Erm, right.
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  #7  
Old 3 Mar 2013
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Enfield

I'll second Andy ! Royal Enfield....but I would go for the new ones C5 for example & can carry heaps of stuff including your Misses to make that tea !!!!
Cheers
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  #8  
Old 3 Mar 2013
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I know it's not the best off-road bike and I know many people see it as bit of a boulevard cruiser, but for me right now, time and money unlimited it has to be a Triumph Scrambler, lightly tweaked, with a pair of Magadan panniers and a bedroll over the back



I don't want to get anywhere fast, nor conquer the Empty Quarter, I just want to feel the breeze, see the world and feel the rush of life around me and I figure I'm far less less alien on a dirty old Triumph, than a blinged up 1200GS.
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  #9  
Old 3 Mar 2013
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Honda XR650R or KTM 690 enduro, both with a larger tank and some solder to put light bags + a more comfy saddle would be the best RTW bike in my mind.

The ability to go really anywhere... and .
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  #10  
Old 3 Mar 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
If money wasn't an issue time wouldn't be either.
So it'd be this:


Imagine how great it would be to find yourself riding around the world on something like this! To be able to do it!
In my dreams....

So that's my choice from the bikes I have. (I rode it Canada to Mexico, plus places in Europe. A Marinoni, built in Montreal)

But this has caught my eye now:


Frame built from bamboo, in Zambia - the new carbon-fibre!

And available in N. London.
Hmmmmm.
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Last edited by McCrankpin; 20 Jan 2014 at 15:01.
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  #11  
Old 3 Mar 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Docsherlock View Post
Yamaha XT660Z or BMWF800GS or Suzuki V-Strom 650.
I angree with you.

Quote:
Originally Posted by NYLon2000 View Post
If money wasn't a real issue, what bike would you take for a RTW trip?

I'd go with a mid-weight BMW, or the KTM 990.

What would you pick?

In the old times that KTM doesn't have an electric starter one friend of mine told me once....................

KTM................KickTwentyMinutes!!!!
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  #12  
Old 4 Mar 2013
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For me the ultimate RTW bike would be a Honda GL150 tool.


Spares all over the world, plenty of power for most countries, an integrated rear-seat rack that is designed to carry huge loads. Big tank and awesome MPG.


Or my fantasy world, the XTW250

(no, that bike is not a production bike)
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  #13  
Old 4 Mar 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McCrankpin View Post
So it'd be this:


.
I am unfortunately not compatible with lycra! The GL150 looks good, bet I can't buy one in Europe though.

Andy
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  #14  
Old 4 Mar 2013
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I think I'd build my own.

Start with a 650 single (XR, DR, or TTR) or Maybe push the boat out and go for a w650/800 twin and then build all the components around it.

Definately have to be twin shock with a shiny ally tank.

However I am perfectly happy with Roxy my ccm SR-40.
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  #15  
Old 4 Mar 2013
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Want to say KTM690Enduro as what I've got (and a 530EXC), really fun to ride, plenty of power. low weight (135kg) and handles anything. BUT not sure about spare parts and though had no problems not sure I would trust it 100%?

But it's a brilliant bike for anything and only bike mentioned that will handle real offroad well. Still excellent road bike and normal service intervals.
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