I’ve been a lurking!! (For quite a while…). Must say I’m very impressed with this site, it’s community and the information available, so thought it might be time to say ‘Hello’ and just ask a few questions of you kind people… (Well just a couple for the moment anyway ;o) )

Hello

OK Question Time… Which Bike? With a little twist (I’ve read some threads here, I know this is a Political Hot Potato )

The Twist? I know nothing about Motorbikes! OK not quite nothing, but it’s been nearly 20 years since I rode one.


First and foremost I am a traveller, I like to see and to watch, and a motorbike to me appears as just a means to and ends to get me into the backwaters of the middle of no-where, a tool to take me where I wanna go, just like a train or bus, but with the distinct advantage that I can turn off the route (if there is one), and stop when ever I want. (and the bike maybe bringing some interaction with people I wouldn't of done previously).

So the route, ride out of Blighty, down through Europe, across to the Middle east, over to India and South-East Asia, up through China to Russia, then across to Alaska and North America, before returning home. Time scale, 18 to 24 months, so no ‘Hard’ riding required, just chilling out.

Assume the bike selection has a lot to do with the roads conditions to be travelled, and the roads in Vietnam, Nepal etc. aren’t exactly great, but I don't really indend to do any voluntary 'Scrambling'. Also to consider is that, as I imagine it is for us all, ‘Cash’ isn’t in an endless supply. Looking at a Bike Budget of about £4K, which I’m hoping will get me a reasonable second hand unit, then another £3K to equip her (are all Bikes female?), for the trip, aluminium luggage, protection, spares etc.

The other major factor I assume has gotta be weight, going 2 up (OK so the Mrs is only 50Kg, but with her ‘Girlie essentials’ you could double that ;o) )

So… where to start, I’ve been playing with the research, I seem to have arrived at four options, 4 Bikes that might make the trip without breaking to much. The GS, AT, V-Storm and the Varadero (OK so I’m sure there are others ).


My initial reaction was an Africa Twin, but 2 up? The BMW appears to expensive and to much aggravation to fix when it breaks, (U can’t just swap the chain and I’ve never been a BMW fan anyway). So that leaves the 2 Jap 'V' offerings (Jap... I assume spare and repairs are more readily available over the world than a BMW?), and in every reliability review I’ve read comparing the V-Storm with the Varadero the Suzuki comes out in front.

I’m not looking for an exotic exciting sporty ride, just something reliable, comfortable and capable of ‘taking the load’ with minimum agro. Also as I assume I’m gonna have to buy a Haynes manual and learn how to do a lot of this ‘Messy’ stuff myself, so easy to understand and fix has to be a consideration. Yeah I know, I’ve got a lot to learn about motorbikes (For instance, who makes a tyres that can carry up to 300Kg (Hey, I’m a big guy), with the bike weight and have a speed rating of 100mph, if such a thing exists or do I have to just adjust with tyre pressures?. And wheels, does it really make that much difference, alloys or spokes?)

So, there u have it, looking to buy the Bike next month so I can start preparing her and get used to riding again for a departure May 2007.

A Penny for you thoughts? Your advice, thoughts and or direction would be invaluable, thank you

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Ciao Ciao
Fletch


“Life is not about how Fast you ride, or how Far you travel, but about how well you Bounce. ” ;o)

I BLOG There4 I Am