|
24 Aug 2004
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Manchester, England
Posts: 1
|
|
F650GS Dakar v Tiger v ???
Hi all, I am planning to tour Europe next summer, as far as I can get there and back in 2-3 weeks. Not much time I know but it will be my first go at touring and that is all the time I can get offfrom work. The biggest question is which bike to use. I currently have a 600 Hornet but I want to change this for something with better tank range (pretty much any other bike!!). The other guy I will be touring with rides an XT600 and the constant piece of advice seems to be to ride something of similar type to the other people you are touring with. The main bike I was considering was the 650 Dakar. It seems most people agree that the build quality is poor but overall it is not a bad bike. My other choice is the Tiger. I know this is a totally diffrent type of bike, I just like them! Any input would be appreciated, thanks.
__________________
Ride To Live, Live to Ride!
|
24 Aug 2004
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Perth
Posts: 263
|
|
know what you mean about the hornet, I used to have one, nice bike though and I reckon anywhereyou are planning on going within europe you will be fine with the hornet and considering 99% will be on tarmac then I'd stick to what you already have or get a tiger.
Ive tried a single on the road and there just too buzzy, slow and just meant to be used on back roads or off road. It will annoy you like hell on the twisties through Italy or anywhere that you can't get a nice run around quality tarmac and get you knee down when 100's of other sports bikes or simular to the hornet is buzzing past you on a single. Your friend will have monkey butt, slow you down and generally hold you back. This is assuming no off road though!
|
25 Aug 2004
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 48
|
|
Hey,
sorry I agree with martyn, stick with the hornet and pack light to have some fun, also assuming no offroad, but if you want offroad head for morocco.
Safe travels
|
10 Sep 2004
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Bergen/Norway
Posts: 5
|
|
Just have to put up some good words for the beemer here. It's a great road machine! About as buzzy as a twin, very smooth for a single. Haven't tried the Dakar, got the GS, but I assume they're about the same with a bit less road-worthiness on the Dakar.
It's a bit down on the power compared to most any other bike of the same capacity(with more cylinders), but you don't need more than 50 ponies to climb montains. Torque is the key and it got plenty of that.
I had no problems blasting along with fireblades and gixxers in the Alps, it's definitely not a chore in the twisties! Only big open roads will give the higher powered machines an advantage and that's the sort of roads that's booooring.. Did a few thousand autobahn kilometers to get back and forth fast, no problem there either. But boring.
Have done some track days since then. It clearly shows how much more a rocket can do - on a track. In the real world they're mostly unable to leave me behind. Sure, they shoot off in a cloud of dust on the straights, but I always ride their their tail lights in the next set of twisties. The nimble, amply suspended and grunty bike is actually a big asset on any road of less than good standard(all fun roads in my book).
It's dead stable as a road machine, good enough for 10000km's in five weeks last summer without a single complain(with taller seat and windscreen). And you get the benefit of enjoying the gravel roads along with your XT friend. The standard GS is not as capable in the dirt as the Dakar, but it's more than good enough for some light off roading and in the right hand a worthy tool for most any adventure.
This may sound like a huge overstatement for a small bike, but I believe you can't go much wrong with the GS. Beginners and experts fall in love with it once they get used to the less than stellar straight line performance. It's not the best bike for any purpose, it's just so surprizingly capable of doing just about anything with graze.
I'd stick with the hornet if you love it, get the tiger if you like it better, but if you want a bike with no fuel consumption (550km's on the 17 liter tank), almost no maintenance, ability do just about anything, ABS brakes, good comfort etc etc - have a look at the GS.
No, I'm not sponsored or anything, just deeply in love with my bike! =)
Cheers,
Andreas / Norway
(some pics and stuff at http://www.bergenteknomafia.com/pics/mc/ )
|
10 Sep 2004
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Bergen/Norway
Posts: 5
|
|
Had to misspell something really wrong, didn't I? Grace, not graze!
|
31 Oct 2004
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 73
|
|
Recently did a quick trip to Alaska: in Anchorage rented the BMW 650GS and rode it for 5 days/1500 miles or so.
Prior to that I thought I would need a big bike for long distance, but the GS surprised me: the Rotax engine is super smooth, does not feel as a single at all. Speed up to 95 mph no prob, won't go over 100. Handles fine.
It made me thinking my adventure bike could be a thumper: I pretty much decided on getting the Honda XR650R and modifying it for long distance. It is quite a bit lighter than the beemer, more power and cheaper. Just my $0.02
Snailster
|
31 Oct 2004
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Estonia
Posts: 787
|
|
F 650 GS would do the job - much smoother for European roads than XR (not much extreme offroads in Europe, and XR is a dirt-machine-only for me).
But when you really want to travel fast on the autobahns and at the same time enjoy the Alpin twisty roads and some gravel there - sure get R 11xx GS. I really recommend to test it before, but for me - it's unbeatable by any rival (Capo, Strom, Tiger, AfricaTwin etc) in the mountain passes. It turns into absolute complete fun-bike on those conditions!
Bit used R1100GSes are at the same level of price as a bit used F650GSes or even cheaper.
Margus
|
2 Nov 2004
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 132
|
|
Poor quality on the Dakar? Don't think so...great bike.
__________________
Gerry
PHX AZ USA
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|