Mine was slightly different as I'm only licenced to ride a 125cc. That kind of cut down on the tourer/dual sport options for a start, and then I live in rural Brittany - France, which cuts down both the number of dealerships and the number of secondhand bikes.

So having posted on here about what to look out for I set out with a small shopping list - Honda Varadero, Honda CG125, Suzuki Vanvan, Yamaha XT125 and Derbi Terra/Terra Adventure.

I had a test ride on the cheaper bikes to start with but found them a bit cramped and quite frankly a bit slow, also the fact that luggage was going to be a top box and throw overs kind of put me off - having watched E&C slog through the mud on their GSes I was of course convinced I needed aluminium luggage. I took a test ride on the Vara after and it was a great bike, but expensive (I could have done a biking course and my test for the premium) and also on the Derbis.

But what really swung it was the reception I, a new biker, got in the dealerships. Sure I didn't have the foggiest idea what I was asking, sure my helmet looked a bit old, and my bikers jacket was definately borrowed, but hey at least I went equipped for a test ride and at least I had my chequebook ready.

Mr Honda was sniffy with me, kept breaking off to chat to people he obviously knew as they came in, said I could have a quick once round the block test ride and positively laughed at me when I mentioned the touring word.

Mr (and Mrs) Derbi didn't, they answered all my questions, they patiently listened to my dreams, they laughed with me at the mouldy smell in my helmet, they offered me a coffee, they said I was more than welcome to borrow the demo for the 2 hours while they were shut for lunch, they suggested some nice roads to try it out on and they gave me their mobile number in case I got bored/scared/in an accident while they were lunching.

And that's why I ended up with a Derbi Terra Adventure.

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Regrettably, I'm sure it will come up again. Some opinions do seem unventable...

That is one reason why the "why did you buy yours?" approach would be helpful. It would also mean that a poster could get the answer they needed, rather than the answer someone else thought they should need, IYKWIM.

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Yes, ITIDKWYM!

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http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!

Coming back to this after a day or so, I'd like to say well done chaps (and chapesses?). This site always does well for people actually answering the question rather than wondering off into why a Triumph outfit isn't an adventure bike (if you want adventure you should see the electrics ) or why we should all ride a certain model.

Long may it continue and thanks for such interesting replies.

BTW, Am I the only one who bought off a drunken salesman?

Andy

One thing I find fascinating is that the type of bike you have affects your behavior, or maybe it’s only me….

When I had a XL600R I normally drove fast on very short trips, I bought a Kawa Z500 and used it mostly for short trips and a few trips around Europe.
Later when I bought the R80GS I started to travel long distance with the bike (I had always traveled). It felt like the bike asked for it…

I also have a 2-stroke 250ccm and a 4-stroke 400ccm (competition bikes) and when I use them I drive as an idiot.
No, I don’t think all people using 250/400ccm are idiots!

The original reason I chose my bike was because it was at the time (1990), in my view, the only bike vaguely suitable for an overland trip 2 up. I was already a committed BMW rider and fan of shaft drive. I still have the bike 19 years on which must say something.

I agree with Alibaba in that some bikes just need to do long trips and others are just for larking around on. I've had several more modern bikes and all have been good fun but they've not stood the test of time.

After getting bored of waiting for the New Tenere to arrive last summer, i decided to buy one of the last Transalp 650 which were being discounted, unfortunately my local dealer had sold his last one. Next choice was an Aprilia Pegaso but the dealers part ex offer on my bike was not impressive. Then by chance i walked into a local bike shop and there was a Triumph Tiger 955i, the dealer chucked me the keys and said take it for a run, 30 minutes later a deal was done. As you can see from the above the bike i bought was not what i went looking for but after seeing and riding the Tiger i had to have it.
Cheers Ade.

My experience was alot like hornets.

I researched my options to within an inch of its little life. I had pro's and con's, facts and figures, bad models/years and loads more info on ktm 640's, xt600's, BMW's and other manufacturers. I was actually getting slightly obsessed (scaring the missus).

Anyway, went on holiday still without bike. I went on the internet '' just incase'' something popped up while i've been on hols, as you do, and would you believe it! A blue honda transalp was smiling at me from thousands of miles away back in the UK. i had to have her.

Probably the only bike I know nothing about!

Still, a few phonecalls later and I was the proud owner of my currant beast.

No test rides nothing. I didnt even get to see her in the flesh(?) untill I got back a month later. Risky, but alls well that ends well...

After flying through lessons and passing my bike test I was looking for the cheapest bike to do the job i.e get me on the road and learning. I found a mint '99 Yamaha Fazer 600. It's going well. I've plans to ride a bike all the way to Oz within a year. Not sure if I'll do it on the fazer. If money is tight I'll give it a go, if not I'll upgrade to a Africa Twin/Transalp/Dakar or some other.

will

My coworker bought a Honda 750 cruiser in mint condition, and wanted to sell his '84 Honda VT500, so I bought it for $1k USD--it gets me to work and back.

Yeah, good to see some honesty with bike choice for once and no in-fighting.

Also good to see a couple more TA owners, thought we were a dying breed.

So what are we going to say now when someone asks for the perfect bike? Walk into a dealership and play Marco Polo until you bump into the right bike?

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http://www.motorcycleodyssey.co.uk

You won't regret it, it is an [i]awesome[i/] machine... I've covered over 20,000 miles on mine all ready this last six months, and it just keeps getting better - there is nothing it won't do (as long as you're brave enough!) and is mechanically rock solid...

I spent the best part of $10,000 building up my XR650R as a rally/touring machine (e-start, big tank, fairing and nav gear, brakes and loads of other bits and bobs...) and that was/is an awesome machine - but a little highly strung for serious distance work, especially on the road... after 18,000 miles (admittedly hard miles x) last year it started to use oil, and really needs a rebuild... I was all set to take it back to the US, when a found a XT660Z in stock and unsold last September - basically an off-the-shelf version of everything I'd turned the XR into - so bought that and shipped it to the US instead...

It has proved to be everything the XR was as a 'trail' bike, and far more comfortable when you do decide to stay on the tarmac... long service intervals, rock solid engine and super stable chassis, great ergonomics, good headlight (on low beam at least), more than adequate weather protection, big fuel range, EFi (it's been from -282ft to over 14,400ft), luggage and pillion capacity... hell, I'm starting to bore even myself!

I understand there are some UK dealers doing deals around 4500 pounds (sorry, US keyboard, no pound sign!) on pre-registered and 08 models at the moment... With a two year warrenty and all the warm cosy feeling that a new machine brings, I can't believe there is a better travel bike for the money?

xxx

You are correct about dealers doing good deals on the XTZ660 Tenere's.

J&S at Doncaster had a white one in at £4599, not only that but they offered me £300 more for my bike as a trade in than anyone else has, picking it up on Thursday

I recently convinced my Dad to get rid of his R1150RT. He simply was not using it enough, nor for the sort of use it was designed for to warrant keeping it. I was actually pedalling the CBF500, then he surpirsed me by informing me that a new Ta was on order!!

Seems he just walked in, saw it, liked it, sat on it, liked it and bought, it. Current economic situation meant he got a good part-ex and extras thrown in, too!

Seems to be a pretty effective method!!

Basically, other than offering a few choices to narrow it down, that is something I have always advocated: a first hand test ride is worth a hundred posts of other people's opinion...

Plus window shopping, sitting on bikes and making broom-vroom noises when the sales guy isn't looking is all way more fun than reading internet pages!!

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Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

I guess it's almost that. If we say there is no perfect bike, you need to pick the least imperfect. As I said in my entry in the list, I wrote a spec along the lines of aircooled 800cc twin with...etc. etc. The obvious answer is R80GS, the imperfect bit worries out 20 year old drive splines. The spec also fitted the Bonneville, Harley Sportster and Kawasaki W650, all of which have "out of spec" items like semi-slick tyres. The drunken salesman who's eyesight must have slipped from XT600E to Goldwing-with-all-the-toys-in-a-nice-colour in the Glass' guide got me over those imperfections.

I say write your own sales brochure then go see who's selling the nearest bike to it.

Edit to add: I actually got as far as buying the Haynes book on the R80 before I decided it was nice but maybe not right for me.

Andy