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25 Feb 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tremens
ok, but all that insurance coverage cost money doesn't it? and OP was talking rather about budget solution if I am not mistaken. Even though, I rather be riding then waiting with my girlfriend for assistance vehicle to come over, usually it takes time anyway.
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If he bought an older 1200 from a dealer it would come with the AUB warranty and be fully serviced. Budget is subjective to an individual. But yeah, he'd be paying a minimum of £5000.
You can buy a BMW a lot cheaper privately and buy BMW Insured warranty and breakdown which I 'think' starts at around £350. All done online.
Check a bike is eligible before buying it though. As older models aren't always.
A 650 Vstrom from £2000 will also serve him well too as you say.
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25 Feb 2018
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I'm currently doing South America to USA two up on a KLR. I've also previously used a Vstrom 650 for the same role in Australia. Both will do the job, but for Europe the VStrom is an easy winner - more space and luggage capacity and more power for the generally faster roads. Also because the KLR hasn't been available on Europe for wire a few years of day the VStrom is likely to be easier to get repairs done.
I won't enter the BMW debate
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25 Feb 2018
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I promise next time I'll reread what's written before posting to correct the horrors that auto-correct has done. That garbage sentence above should say:
"Also because the KLR hasn't been available in Europe for quite a few years the VStrom is likely to be much easier to get repairs and maintenance done".
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26 Feb 2018
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Cheers everyone for the informative and prompt responses!
I think the main takeaway here is to avoid the KLR and lean towards the V-Strom out of the two I talked about initially, while doing a bit more research on other options such as the Transalp. The fact that the VStrom has a lot of (cheap?) part availability seems like a massive plus in it's favour.
Regarding options such as the BMW, I'm trying to get the most value for money and try to keep the costs low as I'll be heading to Europe with a set amount of savings, so everything I don't spend on the initial bike purchase I can spend on the trip itself + repairs and services. I'm planning on putting some serious mileage on this thing so might see a bit of wear and tear, and have hopes of getting off main roads and into the backcountry to do a bit of village hopping. £3,000 would be approaching my absolute maximum if within reason.
For a bit more background I'll be travelling over from New Zealand (@RichM hope you had a great time here BTW!) with a lot of family in the UK, so I'm hoping I can use their addresses for the purchase and insurance and the like.
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26 Feb 2018
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For 3000 Quid you would probably get a well running 1150 GS, so I personally wouldn't consider the 1200 GS. The old Beemers are reliable and easy to service, no hassle with the chain, lots of space for two, sufficient grunt and good to handle even on dirt roads.
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26 Feb 2018
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Stay with the market for chain driven machines??
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vaufi
For 3000 Quid you would probably get a well running 1150 GS,
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Perhaps.
There are 61 of them (all models of beemer fitted with the 1150 engine) for sale on UK ebay at present.
The road-going models are always better value than the GS version in their asking price, all other things being equal for second hand bikes.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...50&_sacat=9800
(123 DL650s for sale).
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Last edited by Walkabout; 26 Feb 2018 at 09:28.
Reason: DL650 note added
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26 Feb 2018
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I am assuming you may want to sell the bike at the end of your trip. It's not as easy as it used to be to buy a bike and take off. You can probably buy a bike in London, but it may be difficult to register in your name and insurance to take it out of the country on an overseas driving licence is virtually impossible if you are not a resident. You may find insurance but the cost will be very high, especially with 2 up. Why not go for a purchase and sell back in the EU with a registered company? I've recommended this guy before, because I've known him for several years, he's well known to HU and he's totally legit with an excellent reputation. He'll find what you want in terms of a bike, like a V strom or a TDM or a BMW or whatever, buy it for you within your budget, and register it in your name at his business address in France. It will be prepared and serviced, & he can arrange European Insurance. At the end of your trip , he'll buy it back at an agreed value. Contact Laurent Dozias at Ride -in -Tours, he speaks fluent English.
Motorcycle travel agency in France - Ride in Tours introduction
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26 Feb 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbdiain
Hi all!
I am currently in the tail-end of planning a year long trip through Southern Europe and beyond, and have almost gotten to the point of actually having to buy a bike. As a long time lurker trying to pick up bit of info as I go I thought this would be a decent place to ask.
There will be two of us on the bike, plus as much of my girlfriends wardrobe as we can fit on the back  so I suppose the main issue will be weight and maneuverability. The route will begin in London (where the bike will be bought) before travelling through France, Spain and Portugal, Italy, the Balkans, Greece and perhaps Turkey and beyond if we make it that far. Back roads will be the aim so it doesn't need to be particularly fast though it will probably need decent power once its all loaded up.
Does anyone have any experience 2-upping for a long haul and pros / cons on the bike you did it on? The two main bikes we have been looking at were:
- Kawasaki KLR 650
- Suzuki V-Strom 650
We are looking to do it on the cheap, although we understand its a fine line between cheap and not getting a reliable bike, not looking to spend much more than $4,000 USD but please let me know that's unrealistic.
Appreciate any comments!  |
Here's what I did.
I ride two-up most of the time. The VS was a little short winded two-up with gear and touring. I bought a Triumph 1200 and now have a VS 1000, my second, and love it.
I'm also American and I bought my bikes from Americans, tagged them in my home state (no inspection required) and they stay and we're purchased in Germany. Look at a website Knopftours.com in Heidelberg, Germany. He's a great guy and can help you buy a bike and get the green card insurance for the bike. They also have a for sale page on the website. I've ridden most all on Western, Central and Eastern Europe, over 35,000 miles. We camp and cook also on the road so space is at a premium. Eastern Europe still is our favorite.
Have fun.
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26 Feb 2018
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With regards to insurance I've done some poking around other threads and it seems its easy enough to get Green Card insurance from a company in Europe itself (saw ADAC mentioned), and for much cheaper?
Worst case scenario, I have British citizenship also as well as names and local addresses I can register bikes in.
Suprised at how cheap some of these used BMWs are as well, but some have raised issues regarding reliability in this thread and to be honest, breaking down as little as possible is a high priority seeing as a lot of the time I'll be in countries with very little english being spoken.
EDIT: after a bit of research it looks much harder to get Green Card insurance if you don't have a European drivers license - looks like I may have to post in the paperwork subforum for this one.
Last edited by mbdiain; 26 Feb 2018 at 21:47.
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19 Mar 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbdiain
With regards to insurance I've done some poking around other threads and it seems its easy enough to get Green Card insurance from a company in Europe itself (saw ADAC mentioned), and for much cheaper?
Worst case scenario, I have British citizenship also as well as names and local addresses I can register bikes in.
Suprised at how cheap some of these used BMWs are as well, but some have raised issues regarding reliability in this thread and to be honest, breaking down as little as possible is a high priority seeing as a lot of the time I'll be in countries with very little english being spoken.
EDIT: after a bit of research it looks much harder to get Green Card insurance if you don't have a European drivers license - looks like I may have to post in the paperwork subforum for this one.
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I am from the US and have my international drivers license and never have a problem getting green card insurance. The costs can vary though depending on where you get it from. Polly at MotoCamp Bulgaria can help you with that for a good price.
Have fun, and remember, you can never get too lost.
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29 Apr 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted*
I'm dead serious. BMW's have their limitations of course. But I've yet to own a better two-up European touring bike. And I've owned about 100 bikes over the last few years. Especially if you have the BMW warranty/breakdown cover.
Im no BMW fanboy. That's been obvious from my posts on here over the years. But I've also been a BMW tech for five years and my opinion has been changed a lot. But not entirely.
Those oil cooled 1200 motors are incredibly robust. If you know the bike well and it's maintained and checked before you leave, it will be just as reliable as any Jap bike.
Or just throw an AUB warranty on it, don't leave Europe and put your feet up in a 4 star hotel while BMW fixes your bike or gives you a replacement. They certainly know how to keep their customers happy in Europe.
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What is an AUB warranty? 
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29 Apr 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by floyd
What is an AUB warranty? |
Approved Used Bike.
Lots of BMW riders in the UK won't use one of these machines without that warranty scheme sold to customers by BMW - to cover the cost of repairing the final drive alone.
(was about 20 GBP per month last time I heard talk of this).
As an aside, sales staff in the showrooms of all manner of vehicle dealers are paid on the results of selling financial products as much as they are paid to sell the base vehicles.
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
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