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?

Yamaha XT660Z or BMWF800GS or Suzuki V-Strom 650.

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 :mchappy:

Andy

Kawasaki W800 or .... Yamaha xt660z, awesome bike. And so perfect to go rtw. :D

Hypothetical question, for which I don't have an answer
 

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.

Erm, right.

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 !!!!:thumbup1:
Cheers
Paul

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

http://www.motorcycle.com/gallery/ga...ry-Exhaust.jpg

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.

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 :funmeteryes: .

So it'd be this:
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...pscbc87165.jpg

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:
http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/...ps803fd120.jpg

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

And available in N. London.
Hmmmmm.

:thumbup1:I angree with you.


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

KTM................KickTwentyMinutes!!!!:D

For me the ultimate RTW bike would be a Honda GL150 tool.
http://www.400cc.com.mx/noticias/imagenes/nt2140.jpg

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
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6230/...0de660f624.jpg
(no, that bike is not a production bike)

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

Andy

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.

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.

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.....

Yeah not too far off, unfortunately money is an object to newish bikes are out :-(

A dream bike for a dream travel? Why not a Guzzi? :eek3:

http://i.imgur.com/MODqPRCl.jpg

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

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.

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 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. :scooter:

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.

I would use the same bike again for two up riding. If I did fancy a change I would take a Transalp 700.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Attachment 9630

Attachment 9631

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

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yamaha Tenere
 

The Yamaha Tenere 660 xtz.

We can't get them in North America but if if was available it would be high on my list.

A lot of people seem to be preferring large European-made bikes. I think in most countries on a RTW, you're going to have a heck of a time getting parts for a KTM or a BMW.

I like small, light bikes, so I think I would lean towards a 250cc Honda or Yamaha dual-purpose. The suggestions for a Honda CGL or a Yamaha YBR are in the same neighborhood, and I think make a lot of sense.

True, but money is apparently no object, and that means my private jet is sitting on the tarmac engines warmed up with a complete bike's worth of spares, a fully trained mechanic and a squad of masseuses to tend my weary bones all equipped with parachutes ready to drop in at a moment's notice.

This is as close to it as I could find so I bought one! 105 Hp, 115 Nm of torque, 195 Kg wet and 40 Mpg.

In post #5 at Adventures between a Cliff and a Wet Place. Brighty in Central Asia and Mongolia - ADVrider this bloke (me :innocent: from my summer 2012 RR) refutes this opinion:

"FWIW, this summer's brand of choice for the Stans and Mongolia was Honda. My counting of Africa Twins went well into double figures and combined with a couple of Trannies like mine, Honda won the day easily. European brands and other Japs were down in the cheap seats."

No, I wasn't being blinkered. That's what I saw/didn't see because it/they wasn't/weren't there.:scooter:

In answer to the op's question, if money was no object:

http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/Pho...Untitled-6.jpg

Batman's Next Ride?
 

G'day Mezo,

Diesel bikes are indeed interesting, which prompted a search and I found this......

Track T-800CDI diesel motorcycle made by E.V.A. Products BV Holland. It has some impressive specs: 0 to 100 kph (0 to 62 mph) in just 3.75 seconds, a CVT transmission (with 6 programmed "gears"), and an average of about 100 MPG (US) at 90 kph (56 mph). And since the engine is a 800 cc inline 3-cylinder diesel, there's the possibility of using biodiesel to further reduce well-to-wheels CO2 emissions (especially if its sourced from waste cooking oil or algae).

This bike currently costs 17,500 euro according to this page of the Dutch version of the website.

Cheers Dave

For me it would have to be my XT600 55W , comfortable, lightish....(compared to a GSA ) and pretty good off road, good fuel economy and simple.....like me:thumbup1:

Nice bike :thumbup1:. You need to take it out and get a nice thick layer of dirt on it for my tastes though :rofl:

Andy

http://picture.goobike.com/840/84000...4070711200.jpg

Option two, getting lighter, but lower powered, a Honda CL400, although I'd relace the front wheel from the 90/100-19 so matched the back 110/90-18, which would make life easier, and also l love that whole fat front tyre look. The engine's shared with the XR400 so should be OK and it's got THAT look.

You can look and look and look at bikes and deliberate about the pros and cons of this and that,I think we'll slightly longer legs on the road would be good,then you think bloody hell its a tank on the dirt...it's gone round and round in my head..transalp,v strom,660z tenere and so on...then I go out in the garage and see what I've already got and think its a great tool and has got to be the most versatile I reckon....a little old but..
http://i1211.photobucket.com/albums/...ps16802427.jpg

HAHA I knew somebody would say something along those lines, it has been down the road once or twice doh since that picture, still awesome tough and I agree needs some mud and when time allows i hope to get her filthy !! :innocent:

I've read a LOT about RTW bikes, and also have had some mid-size bike for touring SE Asia with recently, so perhaps this helps.

From everyone i've spoken to, and there's been some ardened riders, the most important points to consider when choosing the bike are;

1. Weight - can you lift it easily, or without breaking your back?
2. Simplicity - can you repair it, or do on-road repairs easily?
3. Fuel Capacity - larger tank the better
4. Availability of parts, and expenses thereof

After considering all of these, the bikes that were recommended were

1. Suzuki DR400
2. BMW f650/800GS
3. Yamaha XT660z Tenere

I've been riding a Kawasaki Versys for the past 6mths, and as much as it's an awesome bike, it's damn heavy to lift, and the engine is not so straight forward to repair. Having spoken with many RTW bikers, everyone raves about BMW's, but parts are pricey (however, some say they don't break down anyway, so don't need them). But, the resounding winner for me is the XT660z Tenere.

I met a guy who'd got his out of the box, added minor options such as handguards, chain oiling system and a sheepskin for his saddle, but other than that just got on a rode it - starting in Argentina and i met him in Penang, Malaysia. After all of that way, he'd had absolutely no problems at all, except a flat battery from a dodgy 12v adaptor fitted in Mongolia.

The XT is high, so will need long legs, but if you can manage it, it's got enough power, plenty of options to add, easy to fix, readily available parts, affordable price & can literally go anywhere.

I've checked out KTMs, BMWs (F800GS Adventure is close), but none of them offer all the things the Yamaha does. I'm not planning my next big trip and where to buy the Yamaha for it.

Hope this helps.

Keep on riding!

Anytime....

http://actiontouring.com/pic/abmov.jpg

KLR 650c........no need for parts as they are bullet proof:thumbup1:

For fear of sounding like a Ural fanboy, I think it would have to be my Ural outfit.

It's got massive carrying capacity, it's very simple to work on and fix, it's tough and can handle extremely rough treatment (it's built to be Russian Squaddie-proof!), it has a spare wheel as standard, and - if you get your spares from Eastern Europe or Russia - they're as cheap as chips (eg £6 for 5 oil filters, £48 for a complete gasket and seal set.)

It's also shaft drive, so no chain/sprocket worries, the tyres are tubed, so punctures are less of a problem (they're also much cheaper than most big-bike tyres), it doesn't need expensive synthetic oils and, last of all, you can't drop it.

Of course, having said all that, the only touring I've actually done is 1600 miles over 5 days in Scotland last year.........on a Harley, so I may be talking out of my rear end, but of all the bikes I've owned in the last 30-odd years and all the weekend iron-arse runs I've done, the Soviet Assassin is the bike I'd do them on if I had my time over again.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/1...64bb28b2_z.jpg

:funmeteryes::funmeteryes::funmeteryes: bierbierbier :thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1:

Since money is no object, I'd ride what I want, and have an army of support standing by (fix that tire, while I have a beer)

or

buy/rent a bike in every country and turn it in at the border.

It's only money!

My second choice would be the KTM 690 with a few well considered mods but not all that fancy plastic that just adds weight and snaps off when you drop it.

My preference however would be a twin and a re-manufactured airhead BMW with some HPN type mods would be first choice.

The KTM would doubtless win on the weight and the off road performance but the BMW would be a better compromise and load carrier, not to mention much easier to fix at the roadside and with good parts availability around the world.

Big Star Wars fan are you Walter?

My dream RTW bike.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n...0/DSC08635.JPG

Livin' the dream :thumbup1:

08 KTM 690. 90,000 km on her now. 210 kilos loaded as shown.
27 L of fuel for over 500 km range.

She falls down and never complains.

Oh yeah.. and she is fun. :funmeteryes:

Honda VT500 (modified)
 

it had it all. In line v twin very narrow bike, Honda reliability, frugal, shaft drive, no fragile plastic...
If I had the time and the mechanical know how I would convert one of these

That bike belongs to Sam Farah, just returned to the UK after Trans Africa and Crossing Canada on it. He and his other half ( also on a 690 with thr defy kit) are replenishing funds before continuing travels.

See www.chasinghorizons.co.uk

posted from Foxy Fone

Well, that would be something like a KTM 690 Adventure, just like the one Walter posted.

But I'm a little short on legs (32'' inseam) , so maybe something lower would be better suited for technical riding.
That would then be a R80G/S rebuilt with new parts : simple and reliable engine, light frame (for a GS) and off road friendly enough for my needs.

I have a 30" inseam. i'm 1 side or the other. The bike is tall, but it makes you into a better rider. I feel really comfortable on the technical stuff with the 690. Just stand up and ride through it.

Well, they can keep those particular graphics :) Plain black n white will do me fine

I would go with a yamaha xt660z tenere
with some modifications

Titanium frame, Magnesium wheels and carbon fiver tank? :innocent:

yeah the usual you know

R100gspd
 

It's easy to suggest a modern KTM, R or F series, even a Vstrom or KLR. Truth is that many/most modern day adventure tourers are up to the task.

IMHO it's all about style and class. Minor bike problems are part of the adventure. Rolling into a foreign town on a '13 fully kitted R1250GS Adventure = wealthy bloke. Rolling into a foreign town on a 15 year old adventure tourer = ?

R100GSPD is my vote. Later model - '93 - '95, with the drive shaft sorted.

2 Vtwins I wouldn't mind riding.
 

Webber "Rally twin". Has a 2 cylinder 500cc kawi motor. Custom built at only $68,000. You read that correct. I'm not sure of the weight though.
http://rallytwinrider.smugmug.com/photos/77710688-M.jpg

Then there is this one. The Honda XRV 750. Won the Dakar in '89. It only weighs 128 kilos dry. :clap:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N...0/DSC03363.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o...0/DSC03364.JPG
I'm not sure why honda thought adding 100 kilos to this bike to make the African twin was a good Idea. doh

NXR does not equal XRV, sadly. That Rothman Honda is great bike porn, IMHO. Did a little search and found Rothmans Honda Dakar - ADVrider :thumbup1:

So .. "money not a real issue" ... then "so lets not assume infinite money.". Which is it? ?c? 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 ... doh

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. :smartass:

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.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5...0/IMG_4460.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w...0/PC111301.jpg
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?

NX 650 Dominator?
 

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 :mchappy:

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.

Steve and the Dommie
 

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! :thumbup1:

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. :nono:

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 :p

the last bike i would pick is a gs1200 or ktm doh

High Praise to Africa Twin - 12-24 -10:15
 

That is a very impressive resume' ... truly fitting of a "Dream Bike"! bier
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? ?c?

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! :thumbup1:

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... bier

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/9...7b635b10_b.jpg
desertedcamp1 by juri.tabain, on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3782/1...a6a10dc7_b.jpg
PA090265 by juri.tabain, on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/9...b22cf1d9_b.jpg
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... :thumbup1:

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

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?

bier
That is a very nicely set up travel bike! Good luggage set up! :thumbup1:
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. :D

I know that bike from media and from div forums. Its interesting for sure, but it still need some real testing. And there is a question sign or two about the engine.....

If it was a KTM, Yamaha or Honda I would have bought it straight away....

Have people stopped dreaming?

After owning an F650 Dakar I'm revising mine to the following:


175kg wet maximum (most important)
250 mile range
60mpg
70bhp
120mph top speed (makes it easier in Europe)
10,000 mile valve adjustments (adjust without removing cams or chain)
650w generator
19/21" front wheel
300mm suspension travel

Anything come close to this?

BMW GS 800 with minor modifications for confort (tall WS, gel cushion) and safety (outex tubeless kit). ABS and heated grips (standard) are a must for a RTW tour.
Dependable, confortable, agile bike.
BMW service and parts available in most countries.

Travel light, hydrate, enjoy the road.

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

BMW Xchallenge with some modifications, if money does not count

Gesendet von meinem PLK-L01 mit Tapatalk

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...62feccb748.jpg

Gesendet von meinem PLK-L01 mit Tapatalk

Nice bike, excuse my ignorance, but what is it?

@Skyliner
BMW Xchallenge Rebuild with R-Fairing from Hot Rod Welding

If money was no object, then Id take a CCM 450 with ECU upgrade and soft luggage - when it breaks I would just get a new one :)


Either that or do the same with a few KTM 500 EXC's

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2017...496f52c7e9.jpg

I trust my Kawasaki DTracker X 300cc for RTW trips. She never let me down, and when she's down for sure I can pick it up. I might be on the slower side of the highway, and it's not a problem at all. Like the old saying, you may be fast, but I could go anywhere...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk