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Dream RTW bike? Dream RTW bike?
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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.
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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 18 Dec 2016
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Quote:
...Yamaha XT660Z
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
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.
Hello

Yamaha XT660Z 23Liter 208kg Rider height:1.80m O.K
Sadly from 2017 not for sale anymore as a new bike by Yamaha.

BMW 1200GS 20Liter 238kg
BMW 1200GS ADV 30Liter 260kg


So there's a quite a difference of 30kg or even 52kg


sushi
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  #8  
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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  #9  
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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  #10  
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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  #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 8 Mar 2013
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Quote:
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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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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  #15  
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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