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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #16  
Old 8 Jun 2018
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Oldest thread I've seen on HUBB!

And all for a bike that has been out of production since the mid 90's or earlier.

Kawasaki should have stuck with the Tengai and developed it. It could have been a great platform and way to make a "better" KLR650.

Another bike Kawasaki dropped the ball on was the short lived KLX650. It was only sold in USA for maybe 2 or 3 years in mid 90s. Another bike that had tremendous potential if it were to be developed. (liquid cooled, 650 single with better suspension than KLR, lighter, different chassis)

Now Kawasaki has a couple of pretty good bikes and very good pricing.
I speak of the new for 2017 300X Versys (300cc parallel twin) and the revised Versys 650 LT (parallel twin). Some stick to the old bikes but these two new ones should certainly be considered too!
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  #17  
Old 9 Jun 2018
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Since the thread has been resurrected here is mine.

I agree with Mollydog that the Tengai is the best of the KLRs for travel - better suspension and brakes (if only slightly) than the standard with the same solid engine and frame. And much better looking as well.

Mine is a 1990 model and is mechanically stock and now with 240,000 km on the clock. After spending the first twenty years of its life commuting it's now spending it's retirement, like it's owner, traveling. We have done about 40 countries together and are currently just about to finish 25,000 KMs in South America two up with absolutely minimal problems and are now heading for Central America and then the USA.

Keep your fingers crossed that it stays reliable for me!

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finally back on the road again


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  #18  
Old 11 Jun 2018
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40 countries bloody hell that's pretty good for a 28 yrs old bike!

Mine is a 1990 as well and I doubt it had done across two states in Australia by its previous owner. 33k on the clock so that's barely 1000km/year

Hope to change that as the funds an time permits!!

Another shot at different angle

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  #19  
Old 11 Jun 2018
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Hey Martin,
You should get some sort of RTW award! One hell of a travel resume'! Impressive.

Big ups to Kawasaki too and their mighty but forgotten Tengai. Most have no idea such a bike ever existed ... good to see you out there flying the flag and proving that many bikes can be suitable for travel ... even well kept old nails like the Tengai.

I love the tidy set up on your Tengai ... I'm sure you could give us all tips on the "how to's" of RTW travel.

You should do a talk at some of the Horizon's rallies, I'm sure you'd have a lot of fans and could impart lots of useful information.

Cheers!
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  #20  
Old 6 Aug 2018
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More pics of the mighty Tengai







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  #21  
Old 24 May 2019
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Sweet looking bike! I too have got myself 92 Tengai and feel obligation to keep the thread alive. Where did you get those pannier racks? The standard racks for 87-07 does not fit due to different passenger peg mounts/location.
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