hi folks
Back from a long range ride IN Spain , mostly on trails ' pistes ' as shown here
https://www.facebook.com/2-roues-san...0380792075162/
Situation
3 guys to organize, open, drive the truck including a pro
8 riders
lots of different bikes
drz S and E
2 bmw 1200 et 1250 adventure
KTM 690 ,1135 and 535 old style
transalp 600
ténéré
Bmw 800 twin

the most important thing : great ride guys , the best I had ever made

6 days , 1200 km more than 1000 of pistes, if we use the classification of " texas riders" i will say
lots of 1, mostly 2', seldom 3 including two difficult hills , maybe 3 but I dont think so .

T>he matter is to imagine what one can really do with these bikes .
The comparison is not really fair because the staff was a lot more clever than the others ah ah

some tricks
1) it is more fun to ride a small bike wele fitted for you in suspension and load because you may choose your track, jump a bit, loose your front wheel and have it back in a dirty way, pushing with your feet and so on .
THe bigger ones including ténéré or more suppose that you follow a real trajectory ( i dont mean that you cannot do it with a drz , the other guy was good at it ) .
in regular dirt roads, you can ride full speed easily . like any big one ( stay calm anyway )

2) for a RTW or a bigger tour with connexion a cockpit will be useful for protection , putting gps , and other stuff if you love tech'
( for this point i would like to test something like a pegaso on a part of it )

3) money . A big one , fancy on highway , with plenty of spares costs around 4 times my DRZ with full material ( for example I ride another bike on road, a B800 )
For the transport if you have a trailer, a regular one is enough with a small one .

I did NOT come back by road ( more than 1000 km ) because my gps fell off- no tracks possible , had no partner,
found an opportunity with the truck, and - addendum- saved a bit of the AC tires . good off road, excellent on wet dirt ( did not fin any this time) but getting washed up on rocks . And also at 63' it was enough. Even if i was not in the worst shape at the end ( daily training)
Maybe a desert M had been better . the very big max is less than 5000, maybe 4000 .

next time i will try the mash

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"In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV." R. Pirsig

It's always a compromise. My choice for the type of trip you are describing, mixed road and trail with not too much difficult off road, would be a suitably adapted 690 (long range tanks etc.).

Some riders like the challenge of riding a 1200 on trails but there is always a risk that you can hurt yourself badly in a fall and do some very expensive damage to the bike. Others are happy to work harder/go slower on smaller bikes on the road and have more fun on the pistes.

A lot can depend on if you have to carry your own gear. I always prefer to be self contained if possible.

Looks like you had a good trip across Spain

I made up my mind
OR i get a SWM 500 but no review for a big trip
OR I keep my DRZ with some changes
OR I take a 450 WRF suited for a big ride

__________________
"In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV." R. Pirsig

Is this for the Morocco trip?

If it is stick with the DRZ.

Hi magnon
Yes but not only .
The yam's are really good bikes, and i started big trip with a XT' 1U6.
As i dont like ktm's, these are the only solutions . for changing which is not necessary
but i like the FI and the weight.....ok the power and the frame roo....
Now i have to check up for a pass 12 model ....bla bla

__________________
"In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV." R. Pirsig

Yeah, stick with the DRZ, fine machine.

Or of course you could do what I did is trade them all in for the bicycle. Screw the foking petrol companies.

Cycle touring is the ultimate freedom!

No carnets, permits, insurance, and no petrol. Boycott the petro/plastic industries which are ravaging the planet!

Just saying...like...

Cheers, merry, merry.

Had a DRZ(E). Loved it. Used it for similar stuff and single trail in Queensland Australia. Great choice for that stuff. Way better trail bike than a lighter WR250R which is more an adventure bike in my mind as I learnt in Baja. Both are still heavy for what they are. To me the sportier you can ride the more fun it is so weight is everything. Next bike for me would be Husky 501 or 350. 110kg bikes sound like a lot of fun on the pistes.
I'd take the lightest and try it out.

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Tacos Tyring Travels.com

I had chosen a 500 SWM after testing off road :
easier , lighter , more powerful than the nice DRZ
higher too
6 gears, LC, CDI


For the moment, 100 % stock. Later it will look mostly like this rally model ( Italy) .
With IMS tank ( 13) , plate, hand guards, radiator protections ....
The GLoop fits it , have to find the right place

__________________
"In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV." R. Pirsig

Nice! I agree for the light, solo, DS traveling 500-700cc is the optimal choice.

Didn't fancy waiting for the new Tenere then?





Mezo.