his & hers
 

New to this place:helpsmilie:, well, we have spent the last 6 months reading just about every book on the subject so now you guys will have to put up with us on here:thumbup1: Hi, I'm Pete and the better half is Caf.
Were off to India and back ( from the UK ) leaving July/August 2009 and have a SMALL problem :scooter:I married this fantastic cool chic but she has a 30" inside leg and is 7 1/2 stone (which has it's good points :D) but can anybody recommend a manufacture/model of bike that at least share some common parts, we were thinking that if I had something along the lines of a 600cc and she had a 400/350/250 that I could carry more of the heavy stuff and her the light and bulky, any advice/help would be warmly recieved, oh I can't find a spell check so if I made loads of mistakes please bear with me it's not something i'm very good at:(
Looking forward to hours swating up
Pete & Caf

2 bikes...
 

Two couples that spring to mind, but none with all the properties you're looking for.

A KTM LC4 400 and 640 are pretty much the same parts wise, but they're both pretty high.

The other would be a BMW F650, a dakar and a lowered version for her and a Dakar for you. But then that's two times the same 650, and maybe on the heavy side.

Alternatively, I wouldn't be bothered by sharing spares to much.

Thanks for the reply, the GS will be a bit to heavy for Caf but the KTM route is one we were thinking of,just need to see if lowering one is possible ? ( bit of a KTM fan, riding a SuperDuke R at the mo )

As Robert says,i would'nt be too fussed about having both bikes with a lot of common parts either or you vastly limit your options.If speed isn't the issue,try looking at something like a Yam Serrow or TTR250 for her and maybe an XT for yourself?The more basic the bike,the more chance you have of getting it fixed if it packs up on route,so i'd look towards something aircooled,single cylinder,steel frame,preferably with the option of a centre stand.

How about a WRF250 and a WRF450

I dont know wheather your looking at doing off roading or not (i know sometimes you dont have the choice in some forgien countys) but what about a Honda CB500 or the CBF500. 500cc twin engine so its got enough poke to hold its own any road, is low enough for most smaller people, isnt too heavy (well i think) has plenty of accessories and extra that can be placed to help protect/lower/etcetc.

Both riders could use the Honda CB/F500 which means both spares and tools can be shared and also because they are used very often by couriers/commuters there are alot of spares/cheap alternatives.

Its very hard to find 2 bikes that spares/tools can be used on both. Its normally either 2 totally different bikes or the same.

I would go with the same bike and the more experienced ride (9times out of 10 the male) should take slightly more equipment. It means that both riders have the same power, wiegh etc and one doesnt feel as if they could push on. Also it means both riders find the same problems ie 70mph on somebikes is vibey but 75mph is fine.

I agree, go with bikes of different power capability and she will forever be feeling like she's struggling to keep up, not a nice feeling to have. In fact extremely wearing and very tiring after a long day, never mind after months and months of travel. Even if you try to ride slow you'll probably find the bike naturally drifts up to what feels like a comfy speed. That speed might be a vibey, windblown mission for her. The lowered F650 for her and the Dakar for you sounds like a good idea to me. If you aren't off-roading the weight of the bike is less of an issue.

I would suggest that any lass who's thinking about riding to India and back should be good enough to handle an F650 which is widely recognised as a forgiving 'beginners' bike.

PS: personally I think too much is made of seat height. I am a 5' 9" short arse with a 30" inside leg who, due to far too many snowboarding, motorcycling and shed (Don't ask!) accidents is about as flexible as an eighty year old (my physio reckons I'll be needing a new hip before I'm 50!). I have to stand on my left hand footpeg to get on my XT but once I'm on it's fine. I can touch the floor with both toes, and that's plenty.

Hope you find a solution that suits.

Matt :)

Ktm 650
 

I met a german girl in south america on a KTM 650. She was small (like me about 1.62 around 5"2' I think) So it is possible to lower this bike considerably. Suggestions for this: scoop out the foam, lower the front fork, cut the rear shock spring, replace the 21' front wheel by a 19' wheel etc....

I did found very useful during my trip that my husband had the same bike than me. Everytime something went wrong on my bike, we were able to look at his to compare! And God did we use his bike as template, as my bike kept breaking down over and over again!

KTMs are nice but without wanting to offend anyone, not the most reliable for what I've heard? Yamaha, honda or suzuki seem to be toughest bikes out there.

I found the most difficult on my trip, from a woman perspective, was the weight of the luggage. Your partner is very light, with the luggage at the back, the front wheel would hardly touch the ground. A a result the bike is very hard to handle off-road. So be a gentleman and carry the heaviest stuff for her. Get as much weigh on the front of the bike as possible.
Also, being able to put BOTH feet flat will make a massive difference on dirt roads. How many times did I stop, put one foot down, to find that suddenly the ground was sooo much lower than I could reach, and drop the bike! And then the husband had to pick it up offcourse !

2 x DR650
 

Why not go this way? This is one of the best bikes that I have seen for touring, cheap (carnet too), reliable, get parts anywhere, ride height is very forgiving, and easy to sell after your trip. I ride a BMW 1200 and have met a few people on these and they all say that they are not the fastest bikes but are great for traveling!

Ask Beddhist, Germany to NZ and all in between.......haha

Good luck.

I'm looking at a bike for my mrs as well.She's only 5ft or 5'1/2'' if you ask her:laugh: and we've narrowed it down to an XT225/250.It light,has a strong subframe and parts are plentiful.It's also very reliable and can cruise at 100kph without a problem and when it's not touring makes an economical commuter.We plan doing a reasonable amount of dirt riding so this bike suits my wife.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c30/GS1150/xt250.jpg

Here's a couple of sites.
XT225 Home 2006

XT225 Serow Riders in the UK/USA

The other bike we looked at is a Honda SL230.Still a nice bike but no longer available in Oz and less comon so parts are rarer.
Both are 6 speed as far as I'm aware.
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c3...6103110074.jpg

Cheers
Andrew

What about a V Strom 1000 for you..
and a 650 for the missus..
lot of bike for your dollar..
great touring bikes.....

Many thanks for all the replys, our first choice was 650 GS's but she feels that the weight may be a problem off road, well, broken untarmaced roads.
She has no off road experience although rides in the fast group on trackdays on her Triumph 675 Daytona.We are swinging towards XT660R for me and a XT225 for her, with her carrying all the light stuff and me loaded to the hilt.
Visited the local BMW dealer but they didn't have a secondhand 650GS for her to try out, we'll keep looking but her eyes lit up when she saw the spec of the little XT

I would really recommend taking the same bike, another factor that may make it easier than you think for the lady is that most bikes are set up for 75-80 kg rider, so most ladies with luggage will be around this mark, the luggage will sink the bike on its suspension a little making the ground closer. My wife is 5 foot six and rides a Yamaha TT600RE, she struggles to touch the ground with no luggage but is fine without,
Taking the same bike makes a lot of sense from tonnes of angles, some already mentioned but the main for us was the cruising speed sweet spot being the same, a big factor on a long trip.

Make sure she does an off-road course before you start travel. She will be glad she did.
Even if you do not buy a BMW, (and God knows I do have a dent against them by now and would never buy anything with that logo on!) I do recommend the BMW off-road course. (see my review of it on my website: Post "BMW Off-road course")

It is very well designed and will give her a lot of confidence on dirt. Also their bikes are low and they have women only days, which might be a good option for her.

They are lots of other off-road courses around, but bikes I think tend to be a bit too tall, and falling off all the time is not fun!

V-Strom
 

Good suggestion earlier - a V-Strom 650 and 1000. Lots of bike for dollar and lots of utility.

IMHO, Height is a bigger issue than weight - Motorcycle Judo - You don't have to carry the weight just manage, balance and ride the thing. If it is dropped, usually because it is too high, others are around to help.

If your looking at an XT660R have a look at this forum.

. : XT660.com The #1 xt660 resource : . | The #1 xt660X, xt660R and xt660Z Tenere resource

ive got one and am also on this forum and there are alot of people who are looking at buying these bikes for doing rtw trips. They are a good bike and even with standard trim with some luggage it can do most of what is thrown at it.

What ever happens the faster rider should always go at the speed of the slower rider. Also try and get your missies to do an off roading course even a 1day course will be better than nothing and will teach her the basics of how what to do.:scooter:O and have fun:D

I think two of the same bike makes a lot of sense, if for no other reason then you only have to remember how to fix one type..

What about two transapls 650s..(older ones can be rather cheap these days) you can jack yours up and she can drop hers, I know of several people who have lowered theirs considerably. Other then that there is also the NX650 (Dominator) for you and the NX450 (Falcon?) for her, mostly the same bike just huge size difference. (BTW: I am not a honda sales rep although it does sound like it :thumbup1:). How about a BMW650 GS for you and a 650 CS for her??

Only reason I would think bigger then an Xt250 (great bike BTW) is on hi-ways a very small bikes can gets blown around a lot..a bit of weight helps alot.. My wife 48kg and 5'2" had a CBX 250 and got pushed into on coming traffic by the wind (she was fine but, it all but scared her off of riding). Days when we would go out riding, wind that i would not even feel (xt600z at the time) she would be fighting big time.. i would not get tired she was nakered an hour later... and the xt has a large side profile, that catches the wind easily.
.

5'10" with a 30" inseam.
 

I have the same problem which for a man is embarrasing. I rode an XT225 around Asia, seat height was perfect but it did lack power, 90Kmh was its comfortable max.
Test rode a F650 and found it ok, feet flat on floor. The Transalp and DL650 were also manageable with balls of my feet on the ground.
For that inseam a seat height of around 800-840mm is ok providing the bike is not top heavy.

Same Problem !
 

Hi Folks

Sorry for crashing in on this one but this issue regarding seat heights for suitable bikes seems to be a common theme. My wife too is 5' 4". i have found a reasonably priced tt 600 re model 2005 - have searched for lowering links on the web but can only find them for xt 600 and new xt660 - does anyone know if either of these links would be suitable for the ttr .?

My wife sat on a ttr at the Ripley Rally (your wifes i think Leigh) and it was very close but not quite right - anyone any ideas. for what its worth it is now my opinion also that two bikes the same is the way forward but really dont want to compromise too much on cc as will be doing a reasonable amount of motorway mileage.

When will the manufacturers realise - that people of all sizes ride bikes and come up with more adjustable seat heights etc

Bruce (Chizz)

Just wait until you stop with a loaded bike at a junction with an adverse camber or pothole and put your foot down into nothing.

I have not seen any mention of the Moto Guzzi V7 or Breva 750, very capable bike although too high tech for me.
they also do a 'lady seat' for those like me who are a bit short in the leg.
http://www.btinternet.com/~haywards....V7_Classic.jpg
or
http://www.btinternet.com/~haywards....rds/bla_01.jpg

Well, you guys are probably on the road by now!
How about some feed back on what your up to?