NXR does not equal XRV, sadly. That Rothman Honda is great bike porn, IMHO. Did a little search and found Rothmans Honda Dakar - ADVrider

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So .. "money not a real issue" ... then "so lets not assume infinite money.". Which is it? I'm assuming very few here fall into the first scenario. So I'm thinking more reality based, practical and budget "Dream Bikes".

Mid weight BMW's? (F800GS) weighs 530 lbs. wet. Add boxes, gear and such ... add an additional 100 lbs? KTM 990 is around 520 lbs. wet. Once again, add gear ...

You must be a pretty strong guy to lift one up solo. Try it stuck in the mud. Or ... how about if it's pinned you down in the mud like the 950 rider I happened upon in Death Valley. Broken leg, pinned by bike, could not move.

Have you been out of NY on a motorcycle? Any 3rd world experience on bikes?

Regards servicing ... as you get more experience you will probably learn to do most routine servicing yourself. It's not that hard if you select the right bike ... and IMHO, if you can't do basic service ... I would not go until you know how.

Japanese companies have long established dealer networks around the world. But PARTS still need to be ordered and you'll have to WAIT for them. No one stocks everything all the time.

That said, since Suzuki has an assembly operation in Colombia and distribute to Ecuador, Peru' and Bolivia, you can now buy various Suzuki's and their parts at local Suzuki dealers in those countries. The Police in several countries there use the DR650SE or Suzuki FreeWind (similar to DR650), so parts should be available more than other models.




DR650

Since you're in the USA I'd forget about the XTZ660 Yamaha Tenere'. Not imported. Good bike but very heavy. From USA I'd consider Kawasaki KLR650, or KLR250 or Super Sherpa, Suzuki DR650 or DRZ400S, Honda XR650L or XR650R, (street legal) XR400R, Yamaha XT250 or XT225. All fairly light, cheap and easy to maintain. Not dream bikes but will do the job.

If you can avoid dirt, gravel and mud ... the Suzuki V-Strom 650 would be good. It's cheap and reliable but NOT an off road bike if things get wet, rocky, muddy, sandy or .... KNARLY.

If you're going from continent to continent (as the wealthy do ...) I'd just buy a small local bike that fits the riding I want to do on that continent. Sell off when you're done.
Make Sense?

I had a similar problem and after spending countless days/nights looking at countless variations of adventure bike I chose the NX650. I paid £900 for an 89 dommie yesterday. Why did I choose a twenty plus years old bike and why indeed an NX650?

In my opinion the more surplus cash you have means the further you can extend your adventure, so for me throwing £3,4 or 5k at a bike was not an option. Surely seeing more of the world counts for more than travelling on a tricked up adventure bike for half the distance? I feel that even if I had the money I would still go for inconspicuous,light,simple and easy to fix.

Yes the dommie has it's faults, for example: Poor tank range (fit an Acerbis 21+ tank) Uses oil (keep an eye on the oil level and keep the bike well maintained) Seat not comfortable (buy a sheepskin) Not fast enough ( Is 80/90 mph not fast enough?)..... Although it has some fantastic plus ponits:

It's light (168 kgs), parts are still plentiful in most countries, it's a proven engine, it's easy to work on, it still holds it's own in the style department and most importatnly it is uncomplicated.

My intention is to ride around the world on this bike either next year or the year after and I will be totally confident I made the right choice. Every bike has it's faults (even new bikes) but for me it's all about cutting the risk and more to the point dealing with the problem when/if it arises. Take a look at Ted Simon or Dan Walsh and the bikes they rode. You could travel the world on many different bikes you just need to find the one that fits your plans,ability,strength and pocket

Seriously you think a Versys is heavy to lift? I'd say with its mass centralisation and low center of gravity that it's easier to lift than F650 or 690 KTM. It's also lighter than the XT660z.

We got the NX650 here in the USA for just one year. I'm thinking it's like the
Honda XR650L ... or close? Sounds like you've got yours on the way to being a good travel bike. The oil use and sensitivity to low oil can't be stressed enough.
Keep her topped up. I owned an XR650L and a good friend owned the NX.

The other problem we've had are bent sub frames. They bend easy .. and bend really easy if loaded up with panniers. I'd look into reinforcing.

And what about fiting an oil cooler? In UK and Northern areas the NX/Domie will never over heat. But in hot areas it will. Another good reason for a full size oil cooler like on the DR650. Huge difference.

Beyond that, great bike. Get it jetted right for good fuel economy and your golden.

Dream bike? Could be!

Hi!
I looked at all the options as you are before I chose our bike. We had basically the same needs as yours but we are riding two-up.
I am a BMW addict, I still own a R80G/S (collector, 61000 kms from new), a K1100LT and I owned 6 1200 GS Adventure, one 1200 GS and one 1200 RT during the last years.
For our RTW trip we chose to ride a '95 Africa Twin. And now if I had to chose again I would make the same choice. It's just insane what this bike has endured during the last 5 months : crossing Karakoum desert, all the Pamir Highway, Gobi desert, China, 5 mountain passes over 5000 m in Tibet, bad indian roads and lastly a crazy crossing of Myanmar to reach Thailand. Two-up with 60 kgs of luggage.
This bike is old, so you can have it repaired everywhere if you have a problem. We had the rear subrame welded and reinforced in Kathmandu and found easily a solution for the fuel pump in Myanmar. We will keep on riding, cross Oz, South America and maybe Africa on the same bike and are very confident. Nothing important can happen.
If I was looking for a bike to ride solo, I would look to the same kind of bike a bit lighter. It would probably be a XR650L or a Dommie. Maybe a single 650gs.
Guillaume

The single GS.. like the Dakar is still nearly a 200 kilo bike.

Fully fuelled and with all other liquids it's just a few kg under 200kg.

You can save some weight by dropping the dual exhausts and cat for an aftermarket exhaust, but that's about it.

The good news it that it'll sit at 80mph all day if needed and in comfort, meaning you can actually get the areas you want to play without getting sore, or bored.

It's much lighter than the Africa twin, Transalp, Vstrom 650. A little lighter than the XT660Z, and a little heavier than the X Challenge, and KTM690.

EDIT: What you really want is a Highland Outback with better fuel economy

the last bike i would pick is a gs1200 or ktm

That is a very impressive resume' ... truly fitting of a "Dream Bike"!
Merci'

We can find many similar reports starring the Africa Twin all over Adventure World. Not many other bikes are as good two up, loaded for RTW travel. A real shame Honda gave up on the AT. Imagine what it would be today if Honda had continued R & D and done up grades every 3 to 5 years?

A-T's are very rare and expensive in the USA ... and from what I saw in the UK and EU ... becoming more collectable and expensive there too. (I test rode an old rusted out one at a dealer's in Oxford! ... they wanted £3000 for it!!)

Seems to me the Africa Twin would be a very worthwhile project to take on as a project, completely refurbish and set it up for two up travel. A collectable Classic that can still DO THE JOB!

On this side of the pond the Suzuki DL650 VStrom is filling the shoes of the Africa Twin ... and doing pretty well. Is it as tough or as indestructible as the A-T? Dunno, read the Vstrom reports and decide for yourself. IMO, it's the ultimate "Walter Mitty" bike. Nearly invisible.

F650 Funduro, GS, Dakar and G650 series BMW singles are roughly 50 to 60 lbs. (22 to 27 kgs) heavier than bikes like the Suzuki DR650SE, Honda XR650L or KLR650 (1st version).

Those Japanese singles are BETTER off road than F series 650, generally more reliable, easier to work on (no ABS, CANbus or faulty water pumps or bunk electrical systems)

.... and all can cruise comfortably at 75 mph ... all day. The Suzuki is exceedingly SMOOTH with it's double counter balancer. Here in the USA all are cheaper than BMW singles of similar age/kms. Parts readily available worldwide. All of them can take a severe beating and survive. The BMW's? Some great travel tales ... but many include a few breakdowns and delays.

We are currently going around the world on Honda XR650Rs. Needed quite some modding, but I honestly would not swap her for anything else. If money was not an issue, I would probably fit some wider foot pegs and get the Akrapovic headers...


desertedcamp1 by juri.tabain, on Flickr


PA090265 by juri.tabain, on Flickr


IMG_3280 by juri.tabain, on Flickr


They weight in at about 155kg (oil / no fuel) with all the mods. If you are interested, have a look at the bike build. Right now I am in Oz, bikes are waiting in Bangkok to go on in the next few months - so finally some time to update the website...

For me the bike has to be able to carry a pillion, and to cruise at 80mph comfortably.

Not all the world is covered in rough stuff, and not all of the rough stuff is that bad.

I wish those brands that makes bikes for the Dakar Rally could launch a downtuned model of these 450 ccm bikes for normal Commercial sale. A 450 ccm even with a little downtuned engine would give a 40-45 HP, enough, low weight, lower the seat hight a little maybe, good suspension, large fuel tanks, good fuel economy, great brakes etc. Would make great travel bikes....

Would love a downtuned and lowered model of this one for example:

http://world.honda.com/news/2013/c13.../pages/01.html

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

CCM do have a 450 adventure bike using the old G450x engine downtuned to just over 40bhp. They also sell a plugin to make the bike the full powered 54bhp verison.

Weighs just 135KG wet.

More here:

The perfect adventure bike, made in Britain?

That is a very nicely set up travel bike! Good luggage set up!
I would agree ... as a Dream travel bike the XR650R ticks a lot of the boxes for me. The kick start puts most riders off. Not me, grew up with kickers, owned many 60's & 70's Brit bikes and many early Honda Dual sports with kick start. (XL600R, XR600R, XR400R).

Much as I love my Suzuki DR650SE, that XR650R is clearly the better off road bike in every way. Lighter, better suspension, reliable water cooled motor has a great reputation. And the best part for USA riders is that these XR650R's are plentiful and cheap here in California, selling from $2500 to $3500. Some are very well set up with thousands in trick aftermarket items.
If anyone from the EU is considering this bike ... come buy it in California to get a GOOD ONE CHEAP!

If you can do the kick start thing then very hard to find more value for money in a DO IT ALL travel bike.