Hello.

I need your recommendation on which motorcycle should I purchase. I was going for a used dr350 but I started to think if that is the kind of that would be good for what I want. Basically I'll use the bike on a daily basis as my main transportation method but I'd also like to purchase something that will let me travel comfortable and get to know all those great places we have here in Argentina (the south above all). Also I'd like my bike to have off road capabilities (again, so I can travel to some places that are not easily acccesible through pavement roads).
Given what it's possible to get here and for the amount of money that I can spend I've come to a this choices: dominator or transalp.
What's your recommendation? It's possible to get the dominator for a little less money (according to what I've seen so far), but I like the transalp better. Are there other choices that I should look into? (probably yes). The other issue is that this is going to be my first motorcycle... I know how to ride one but I don't have great experience; the "bigger" bike I've ridden is a DR350, so the choices I'm looking into are bigger, heavier and more powerful motorcycles... I'm not a small/weak person but I guess that I'll have to be very careful once I get my bike for some time until I get a hold of it.

Well, I'll apreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks.

My only offering on this is having owned a Transalp, I prefer the feeling of a single cylinder, for entirerly esthetic reasons. I have a well tuned mecanical sympathy ( pun intended) and knowing what is going on under me with that big thumping lump really does it for me. I have two F650s now, amoungst about 30 other bikes, from V-4s to two stroke twins and singles.

Kind regards

Nigel in NZ

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The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription

Hi there brunodp,

I own a Honda TA since this year, an old one, I got to add, built in 1992, a Japanese version with 400ccm. It clocked 49.000 km so far, I personally rode it something like 5.000 km this year. It is in great shape, no scratches, rust and so on. The engine runs very smooth, fuel comes to 4.5 liters/100 kilometers, so quite acceptable, too. It is big enough for me (I'm 186cm tall), very comfortable seat (well, I am a lightweight - 67kg only). I added Hepco&Becker Junior II side cases to it, planning to install crash bars next year.

Before the TA I owned a Kawasaki KLE and ZZR, as well as a GPX-RII, all 400 ccm. I have to say that the TA is my most-liked bike so far. Went on an almost 2.000 km touring this summer .... GREAT!! For pictures, please go to

http://virtulanguage.com/HondaTA.html or http://virtulanguage.com/MotorcycleEquipment.html

Well, hope that this helps you a little,
take care and safe riding

Klaus
http://virtulanguage.com

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Hi

I have had both bikes and prefer the transalp by far.
I found the Dommie very vibey and nerve wracking on the road.
Transalp is by far much better on road, smoother, less vibes, more reliable and will last much longer.
All depends the type of off road stuff you do, light gravel roads are fine on a TA.
Bit more than that then a Dommie is better, true off road both are just too big and heavy.
If you use it every day and you can't be bothered to constantly check/maintain it then go for a TA.

We all go with the bike that hits that resonant cord within us. I'm more of a small bike guy so I look for machines that are adequate but not overkill.

I recently purchased a good used DR350SE and actually prefer it to my F650GSD. With it's lighter weight, simpler layout, and 6spd trans it suits ME more than the 650 both on the road and back home in the shop. For a durability verification check out the travelogues Mondo Enduro and Terra Circa as these riders were on the DR 350.

But if the DR350 does not suit you there are many other bikes to choose from; isn't that great.

Thank for all the replies.
Steve, what about travelling on a DR350? I like that motorcycle a lot and is the one I have most experience on. But if I'm going for a 4000km trip... would you recommend it?

Thanks,

Bruno.

Bruno,
The DR would be fine for a 4000km trip - I rode a TTR 250 all around Europe for 4 months and took it over the Pyrenees and Alps - just a bit slowly - if you go for a larger bike the Transalp is the better bike for me - looked after it will rack up high KM's
Cheers
Grif

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

I'm still not discarding any possibility. I know a mechanic that is telling me to look for a super tenere, I've already seen prices of used xtz 750 and they're around what I can afford... once again... anyone can tell me anything on this bike? This mechanic keeps telling me that the engine is great and the bike is amazing in every aspect. Is that so? It's even bigger than a transalp, so that's a concern for me...

Any toughts on this?

Thanks, Bruno.

Bruno, there's a huge amount of discussion on the Super Tenere. See the Yamaha XT600 forum, do a little searching on the HUBB, and you'll find all sorts of opinions.

It's generally a well-regarded bike. Get a good one and you won't go wrong.

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

This subject/conversation always facinates me, How much time do you have available to tour? Is a smaller bike more managable offroad for you? Is the shipping costs better for a small bike?, small, often but NOT always means cheaper to purchase/run. I use a BMW R80gs but would definately consider doing a trip on something smaller, The BMW is certainly not my idea of a great offroad managable bike but I ride in the knowledge that it is pretty straight forward to fix if need be. The UK has many good spares dealers both for new and secondhand parts that could ship to you. And as for taking spares and 'mountains' of tools...why bother? In the long run a mobile phone/access to the internet/credit card get you out of 99.99% of situations.