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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 Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Old 25 Apr 2021
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Need a light bike in Europe for 2up!

Whats the most lightweight *2-up* bike I can buy used in Europe at a good price to haul on the back of my van around the world? If you care for any cliff notes, read on..

I'm in a real pickle
I have an 06 4x4 158" 416CDI T1N Sprinter van that I have been building out as an expedition vehicle for Asia/Pan-Am, the thing is a beast, but this time I'm mounting a moto to the back, whether on a trailer hitch or by custom fabricating a sturdy platform for the bike to sit on. I want to use this bike for day trips, runs into town, places I want to explore that would just be silly to take the van, at most a few days excursion away from the van. The only problem is I don't know which bike!

I still have my 2015 KTM 1190 Adventure R that took me around Africa, I couldn't think of a more comfortable 2-up bike, but it weighs in at 234kg (515lbs) dry. As much as I love that bike, I ultimately know deep down that it's too heavy to mount on the back of that van, especially so far back from the rear axle and the kind of roads I'll be taking.

What bike can I put on the back? I really thought I was onto something when I stumbled across this thread on ADVrider which runs through a bunch of criteria for a lightweight adventure bike. I was almost set on a DR650 only to discover they don't sell them in Europe anymore due to emissions or something, and the ones that I have found (mostly pre 2000) are crazy overpriced. Same goes for the XR650. KTM 690 and Husky 701 are pretty darn overpriced. The KLR650 is starting to get heavier than I'd like and at that weight, I'd probably just go for a BMW F800GS, but that's not all that far off the 1190 really....

The CRF250 is light and pretty cheap in Europe, but it's not designed for a pillion so it's already out of the question..

I'm at a loss. What's out there?
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