It's the Which? Bike thread!!

[Dodger]

Originally Posted by Officialslacker

Thanks for the advise so far guys! I'd like a new bike, but being a newbie I think I'll end up with a 2nd hand one that way I won't be as heart broken if/when I drop it and brake something!! although never say never, could get a new one if I've got the money or get a good deal!!


Dessertstrom - would I not just be able to swap the Trail Wing tyres for something more at home in the sand/mud?

I don't think I'll be doing motorcross or anything - just a bit of soft offroading - would like to be able to go through sand and mud if needed.

DougieB - What would be needed to sort the bike out for Adventure-iseing a bike?

I'm more used to cars & 4x4's - I know you can change the suspension for more hight, better tyres etc - guessing it's the same sort of stuff for a bike?

You can change the suspension but you can't change the frame geometry and weight very much .
You'll have to decide what kind of riding you will be doing and choose a bike accordingly .
Any of the 650 singles [KLR, DR650,XT 600 ,650GS ] would be good for very rough roads and for mainly highway and gravel roads the 650 Strom would be great . Pure highway? well there are hundreds of bikes you could pick ,but for an inexperienced rider a 650 like a Bandit would be just fine .
Try some bikes out , test rides or borrow friend's bike , read as much as you can on the internet and gain an idea about the reliability of certain models .
Don't get a big bike for now, 650 or 750 should be fine .
Bigger machines are more specialised and when you've gained a bit more experience , you will know exactly what you want !

[Matt Cartney]

If you are looking at second hand stuff then have a look at the XT 600E (produced up to 2003). I have one with a plastic tank (23 litres), bash plate, luggage racks etc. For genuine 1 up adventure touring in the third world I reckon you'd be hard put to do better. They are insanely reliable and tough as nails, if slightly unsophisticated. The old carburetted single pot technology is simple enough for self maintenace and not without the skills of mechanics in the more remote parts of the world. It's got enough poke for cruising on good roads while being just enough of a dirt bike to cope with off road. The only situation in which it struggles is motorway cruising where the relatively low cruising speed combined with lack of weather protection makes it a bit of a chore. As for dropping/crashing etc. I've had some quite spectacular tumbles which have resulted in little more than a few scratches. Would be worth buying some stronger bars like Renthals though as the stock bars bend quite easily.

As for tyres, Continental Twinduros seem to be a good compromise between off-road and tarmac use. Be careful not to overload them though as they disintigrate as I found out to my cost!

Matt

[mollydog]

knowledgeable owners.

Good luck with the L Plate.

[Matt Cartney]

Originally Posted by mollydog

...don't buy someone's Adventure bike that is all set up and been to Africa or something. No matter how many nice bits its got. Avoid! Buy the bits....leave the bike.

At the risk of offending anyone on here who's trying to sell their bike post trip, I have to agree with this. 'Adventure' miles on harsh roads, tough environmental conditions, poor fuel quality etc. are much harder on a bike than the 'ordinary' miles your average punter will put on a bike. With absolutely no basis in scientific research I reckon 'adventure' miles are at least twice as damaging to a bike than 'ordinary' ones.

Matt

[Steve Pickford]

Forthcoming BMW F800GS is worth a look, UK launch is Saturday 8th March 2008. Based on the reliable & cheap to service F800S & ST.

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Steve Pickford

Forthcoming BMW F800GS is worth a look, UK launch is Saturday 8th March 2008. Based on the reliable & cheap to service F800S & ST.

Yep, and the "new" 1200GS is in the dealers later this month I have been told.

The thing is officialslacker, you have asked a wide open question (no budget or preference for new/second hand etc etc) and you are getting the whole gamut of replies!!

[Dessertstrom]

Matt,
You can put chunky tyres on the V-Strom I think Continentals fit but you would still have to take care and when you drop it it will cost more to repair and you WILL drop it.
At this stage in your biking experience I would get a second hand bike poss a 250cc and go to an off road school to get some tuition. Even if you can handle a bike on the road you will drop one almost as soon as you hit the dirt. My first dirt bike was an old Suzuki RM 250 that I got for peanuts and fell off loads of times but it didn't matter as it was basic and nothing broke. I went on to compete in motocross on an RM 250 and a Honda CR 250.
Riding on dirt is a whole different ball game and a different technique but riding on dirt will make you a better rider on the road.
I went to the local Harley dealer to check out the Buell and got a test ride, great bike and I wanted one in orange but when I got back the salesman told me the price 45,000 Saudi Riyals so I went to the Suzuki dealer and got a V-Strom for 23,000 SR 2006 model in black out of the showroom.
Don't be in a hurry to spend your money it might workout cheaper to buy an old bike to fall off than to buy a new one and make a mess of it.
Cheers
Ian

[Dessertstrom]

Dave,
When I read about pulling the fuse the same question crossed my mind but there was no comment to be found on this.
My bike doesn't have ABS so it won't bother me but I think I would leave it connected as my previous bike did have it and I found it ok but you like it or you don't if you don't then you have the option to walk away.
Cheers
Ian

[mollydog]

more times than I care to when road riding.