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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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  #16  
Old 4 Mar 2013
c-m c-m is offline
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Something around 100bhp, less than 200kg wet weight. Over 40MPG.

Nothing like this exists though sadly. If it does let me know.
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  #17  
Old 5 Mar 2013
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Originally Posted by c-m View Post
Something around 100bhp, less than 200kg wet weight. Over 40MPG.

Nothing like this exists though sadly. If it does let me know.
Tiger 800 XC comes pretty close.

If you can't be happy with 95% of what you want you probably ain't suited well to traveling much.....
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  #18  
Old 5 Mar 2013
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Yeah not too far off, unfortunately money is an object to newish bikes are out :-(
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  #19  
Old 7 Mar 2013
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A dream bike for a dream travel? Why not a Guzzi?



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  #20  
Old 8 Mar 2013
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If I could do RTW I would like to do it slow on all the back roads so I reckon my TT250R would fit the bill. Simple to maintain and has kick and electric start. I would imagine the steel frame could be easily strengthened to take a big luggage load.
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  #21  
Old 9 Mar 2013
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Originally Posted by jordan325ic View Post
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.
Blessed if I could see one in Europe.

Think My Enfield is a good tourer, but maybe Guzzzi's V7 also . (No drive chains)
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  #22  
Old 9 Mar 2013
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I think jordan325ic as the right idea.

Once outside Europe you wont want to be riding Fast so you would find that you wont need 100BHP . Any bike that will carry you and you luggage at 55 mph will do the job.

As for parts, the only bike that we have seen in every country we have been to is the Yamaha YBR 125 G .

If I were doing a solo RTW this would be the bike I would be riding.

Dazzer and Leigh
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  #23  
Old 9 Mar 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dazzerrtw View Post
I think jordan325ic as the right idea.

Once outside Europe you wont want to be riding Fast so you would find that you wont need 100BHP . Any bike that will carry you and you luggage at 55 mph will do the job.

As for parts, the only bike that we have seen in every country we have been to is the Yamaha YBR 125 G .

If I were doing a solo RTW this would be the bike I would be riding.

Dazzer and Leigh

I have a YBR125, but the Honda CG125 would run it very close! and your choice for 2 up would be ? Mine would be either an Airhead BMW or one of their triples.
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  #24  
Old 10 Mar 2013
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Originally Posted by palace15 View Post
I have a YBR125, but the Honda CG125 would run it very close! and your choice for 2 up would be ? Mine would be either an Airhead BMW or one of their triples.
I would use the same bike again for two up riding. If I did fancy a change I would take a Transalp 700.
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  #25  
Old 10 Mar 2013
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Originally Posted by oldbmw View Post
Blessed if I could see one in Europe.

Think My Enfield is a good tourer, but maybe Guzzzi's V7 also . (No drive chains)
I would suggest the Enfield may hold the key to the chain vs shaft question. When I ran in my bullet the OEM chain needed cleaning daily (less time than waiting for a cuppa to cool), adjusting weekly and was shot in a few thousand miles. I then used the tool kit stowed on the bike plus a chain breaker to fit a modern chain. This was still cleaned at the afternoon tea break but was adjusted once in the remaining 10000 miles before I sold the bike.

Changing the oil in the drive shaft of my K100 was probably as much time in total but required a shopping trip to get oil and a ride to the council tip to get rid of the old stuff. Had something mechanical broken I'd bet on needing more than the stuff in the panniers.

Personal choice of course and OT but not a factor I'd use to pick a bike.

Back on topic, which of the 125's or 250's have bigger tank options? I liked the look of the Kawasaki 250 traily until I worked out the fuel range. 7.7 litres is too small for Wales on a Sunday never mind places with spicier food.

Andy
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  #26  
Old 10 Mar 2013
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For me a RTW bike has to be reliable. Honda Transalp are known for this and took me around Africa with no problems. Its my dream bike. Thats why i own it:

http://www.adventure-travel-experien...en_transafrika

For latin America my Honda CGl 125 was perfekt. It was cheap, had a good milage, all the parts are easy to get and you dont look like a tourist fron 1 km distance

http://www.adventure-travel-experien...en_suedamerika
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  #27  
Old 11 Mar 2013
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C-m

The Ducati Hypermotard fits your specs exactly:

110hp, 194kg wet and 50mpg

It's shockingly expensive, no one will know how to fix it and far too shiny though.
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  #28  
Old 24 Mar 2013
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HP2 Enduro.

Light, capable and a rock solid engine.
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  #29  
Old 24 Mar 2013
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Originally Posted by LennyMac View Post
HP2 Enduro.

Light, capable and a rock solid engine.
There's one of these on ebay UK at the moment.

£12,000 for a bike from 2005 seems madly overpriced.
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  #30  
Old 24 Mar 2013
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Dream RTW bike?

It does seem like a lot but the mileage on that engine isn't a factor (IMO) and after slugging a 1200GSA through the mud on the Linden-Lethem Road and digging the same bike out of the sand on the Lagunas Route I'll pay a bit extra to drop the weight.

Dream RTW bike?-imageuploadedbytapatalk1364146507.604976.jpg

Dream RTW bike?-imageuploadedbytapatalk1364146566.647651.jpg

The tough part is finding someone to part with one. I missed out on one in Toronto but an import from the UK to Canada is a bit too dear for my pocketbook.


Blunozr

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