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Europe to Siberia... A GS? Europe to Siberia... A GS?
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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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #16  
Old 29 Mar 2011
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We are going out from Spain to Magadan from Siberia and back from Stans, and our choice is F800GS (we go 2up), you can see it here (in spanish, but you can translate the blog)

La moto | Viajar En Bmw

But, to go alone, mmmm....... maybe my choice would be the dakar one, is strong, powerfull enough, very good l/km too, and less electronics.
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  #17  
Old 29 Mar 2011
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Transalp
If you don`t want to spent too much money for a bike ....

have a look at the Honda XLV 600 Transalp, cheap and reliable, get a tank from an Africa Twin (RD03 or RD04) and you will have a range of about 500km

The engines last usually more than 200 000 km and it`s not too heavy to pick up ....

btw, much more reliable than the 650 Dakar in my opinion

.... and in the end, any bike or scooter can do it

just my 2 cents
Thomas
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  #18  
Old 2 Apr 2011
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I did Europe to Congo on a KTM 640 Adventure in 2010. No problem with the bike, very good in the dirt but not enough speed on the tarmac and not comfortable.

We recently did 8.000 Km in Malaysia and Indonesia two up on a 800 GS. Ideal bike for this kind of trip. I even consider using the same bike on my next solo trip to Africa. One remark: On the F800gs the ABS is dangerous, I switch it off as soon as I leave perfect tarmac

Albert
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  #19  
Old 2 Apr 2011
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I own a 800 GS and, whilst not being as adventurous as you at the moment, am thoroughly looking forward to touring on a smaller scale on it - next year I'm planning on taking it to North Africa. It seems to me to be an excellent balance between on / off road riding. For me personally, the 650 might not be as good on the road, and the 1200 was too cumbersome (although epically comfy). I have, however, replaced the OE screen (taller!) and the seat (far more comfortable for all day riding). As for the ABS, I thought the whole point was to turn it off when riding off road anyway?
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  #20  
Old 2 Apr 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kickaha View Post
Hi Colebatch,

Yes, this makes sense to me. What about the Dakar? Already too heavy for that kind of trip? (if I am not alone, I may want to consider some section of the old summer road to Magadan).

About lighter I do not think I can afford a bike preparation like your X-challenge and that bike is too tall for me anyway. So the Dakar sounds like best compromise for me. I just found one that has 40'000km on the clock and well equipped. I wished I could find one with less km, but still may be a good opportunity.
No I dont think its too heavy for the Old Summer Road. Its getting near as large as you would want to take tho. Last year a couple of Aussies took 950 SEs on that road, and they are also about 185 kgs dry weight - a couple more than the Dakar. In 2009 a Czech couple took F800 GS (186kgs) on the Old Summer Road. Also last year, a rider as experienced as Joe Pichler opted not to take the Old Summer Road on his 200 + kg 990 Adventure ... so yes, I reckon 180 -185 kgs dry weight is about the edge of comfort for a road like that.

The good news is that road is not too long - 420 km ... and the first 200 km of it is no problem for just about any bike as long as the air intake is high enough for the Kyubeme River crossing (R1200GS intake probably too low - Dakar will be fine)
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  #21  
Old 26 Apr 2011
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just an addendum to my last post.

Those who followed the two Aussies on their 950s on the old summer road will know they were acompanied by "Beta" on a 640 adventure.

I have spoken with the guys at length after their travels, and while "Beta" was saying the 950s left him for dead on the fast (150 km/h +) flat dirt tracks across mongolia, the 640 (25 kgs lighter than the 950s) had a much easier time on the old summer road. 25 kgs makes a big difference on a tough road. The guys I know who have done it on 185 kg bikes were all very experienced riders, and they still all did it tough.

So while that sort of weight is obviously possible, lighter is (as always) better - especially for that kind of terrain.
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  #22  
Old 17 May 2011
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Hi Walter!

DR650 is my pick
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  #23  
Old 17 May 2011
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I think if I'm not mistaken that Kickaha (Kim ;-) you have now gone with the BMW Dakar 650GS, n'est-ce pas ?!

IMO this is a good choice for a solo rider and it is for good reason that many other RTW riders (Bjorn, Lisa Thomas, Thierry, Anja & Olga just to name a few) choose the Dakar. Not wanting to bias or prejudice this thread but it is interesting that all the bikes that were in the short list were BMWs. Anyway, I'm sure you'll be very happy with your choice.

Now the fun starts - how and what to accessorise the bike with. The choice is almost endless.

My advice is to build up a toolkit and only use that for doing maintenance, services and fitting new parts. That way you'll know whether you have all the tools you need before leaving. If you use all your tools in your garage that you don't take with you then at some point you'll find there'll be things missing.

Cheers,

Pascal & Arja
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