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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 Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #31  
Old 11 Jul 2017
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Originally Posted by Snakeboy View Post
Have seen some brand new Honda Crf 190 or XR 190 or whatever the letters in front were here in Chile where I am for the moment. Looks cool but its a small displacement bike anyhow.
Probably is the XRE 190. Honda released last year in Brazil the XRE 190, is basically an 190cc grown up version of the older Honda Bros (that began as a carburated 125cc, grow up to fuel injected 150cc and now also have a fuel injected 160cc engine). The engine that Honda uses on the XRE 190 is the same as the CB190R already for sale in Chile btw.
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  #32  
Old 12 Jul 2017
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BTW, Royal Enfield have the Himalayan, a 411cc bike that seams promising even if a little underpowered (about 25 hp on the carburated indian specs), having only 5 speed gearbox and a little heavy IMO (about 180kg), but has plenty of torque available (32Nm) and a good(ish) size fuel tank (15 liters). Here a video review I found about it on youtube. Here another video I found about it.
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  #33  
Old 12 Jul 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkm_br View Post
BTW, Royal Enfield have the Himalayan, a 411cc bike that seams promising even if a little underpowered (about 25 hp on the carburated indian specs), having only 5 speed gearbox and a little heavy IMO (about 180kg), but has plenty of torque available (32Nm) and a good(ish) size fuel tank (15 liters). Here a video review I found about it on youtube. Here another video I found about it.
Theres several threads about the Enfield Himalayan here on the forum. I like the idea about an "adventurised" Royal Enfield but the current product doesnt seem to be very well made.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ressions-86582

I think I will stick to the Bullet if I ever was to buy a RE... :-)
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  #34  
Old 12 Jul 2017
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The Himalayan seems like a new bike, the first 2 or 3 model years of any bike are generally the worst bikes you can have, maybe when they tune in the bike may be a reliable option.

But maybe someday Yamaha will release the bike I always wanted since I first see it, the XTW250 Ryoku
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  #35  
Old 13 Jul 2017
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I don't know for fact, but seems Indian production is trending UP in quality and innovation fast. The fact BMW and KTM have set up production there, partnering with ... ?? somebody??, IMO, all very good news for Enfield's future.

Hopefully they can ride Euro technological coat tails toward Indian modernization and move to higher quality products overall, like other Asian countries. I think India could really break out and do great things in future. (but with the wise move away from Fossil fuels ... motorbikes as we know them may dissapear )

Maybe Enfield could partner with Triumph? ... and truly modernize the Enfield?
Triumph could use the Enfield brand to launch a "classic" developing world All Electric model. Low Cost, unbreakable and practical??

Of course, many here will miss the "old" Enfields. I rode an old one years ago, fun and pure nostalgic experience. Hundreds of Hubbers have toured India on the original Enfield. A part of India motoring history ...
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  #36  
Old 13 Jul 2017
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My hope that this new "India trend" for the big motorcycle manufactures will increase the variety and reduce the price of bikes in a near future. In a country with 1.3 billion people for sure they have a demand for any kind of bike imaginable.

But anyways, the scenery looks very promising in the near future for small displacement adv bikes, with the introduction of the BMW 310 GS, the KTM 390 Adventure, Kawasaki Versys 300 and Suzuki V-Storm 250 the market will be much better served with small displacement adv bikes.
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  #37  
Old 13 Jul 2017
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Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
Maybe Enfield could partner with Triumph? ... and truly modernize the Enfield?
Very unlikely. The company who owns Royal Enfield (Eicher Motors) invested a buttload of money in the company not long ago, including a brand new production plant and a new twin cylinder engine for the new Continental GT (a factory cafe racer bike). The RE also seems to be selling well in the west thanks to the "retro revival".
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  #38  
Old 19 Sep 2017
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Quote:
...Or is everyone too afraid to go anywhere?
What, like beyond the HUBB you mean? Only you, pal ;-)

Plenty of travellers on WRs.
I did 4000km in Morocco last March.

Short version:
• Got it vanned to Malaga and back. Could not face crossing Spain and back
• Once loaded + me, need to cane it to get anywhere (don’t recall CRF-L or KLX feeling the same)
• Light weight is all very well, but even at 6’ 1’’, the tall saddle is a pain (can be lowered)
• Suspension is of course, brilliant, compared to stock CRF-L (mine had Hyperpro)
• Amazingly economical: 550km to a tank. Fuel Log
• Still have back pain months later from the stock saddle
• Build quality explains the price over a CRF-L… almost
• Great alternator output for the cc and age
• Fuel pump worries in hot conditions (played up but never went)
• Clearly suited to predominantly off-highway travels

Long version here

Little changed in 10 years, but from 2018 they no longer list the WR-R in the US or Ozzie. End of the line for the WR.
After a KLX and XRs and CRF-L, I have concluded that 250s, ever the WR, aren’t the do-it-all bikes that I was hoping for.
Love the lightness but prefer a bigger single and lower seat.
Will be trying a 500EXC bike after next, but not expecting it to be a viable travel bike for me.

I’ve read the explanations, but go ahead and sell us a CRF450L anyway (there is talk of one), or a WR450R (there isn’t).

Last edited by Chris Scott; 22 Aug 2021 at 11:45.
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  #39  
Old 3 Oct 2017
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I've got a WR that I was gearing up for rtw, but I never really got on with it. Like Chris said, it does seem like you always have to keep the revs up which isn't the greatest when you just want to chill out a bit.

I was able to do a short test ride of the crf250 rally yesterday and was surprised at how it compared. It felt a bit cheaper, but I think I liked it better.
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  #40  
Old 3 Oct 2017
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Well, if you settle on the CRF you will save quite a bit over WR. Several minter CRF's around San Fran Bay area for great prices lately. In our used market the CRF is generally a $1000 to $1500 less than comparable WR250R.

Main PRO's I've heard suggest in slow, rough, technical going the CRF is the easier bike to ride (stock for stock) as it's got better bottom end grunt.

I figure simple gearing change (lower) will bump WR ahead of the CRF in such conditions. All the WR guys agree WR gearing is too tall .. so lower gearing on the menu'.

But yes, you may have to rev it more off road to make it on certain trails, but of ALL the dozens of videos I've viewed the WR positively EATS UP nasty trails!

I've ridden both bikes and as I said, liked WR a lot more than the CRF. But CRF was ridden months before from WR test ride. Both only 1/2 hour rides ... so not definitive.

I was really surprised how strong the WR was on Freeway with traffic moving at 70 mph. But the used WR I tested had an FMF full system with power bomb and a fuel controller. So maybe that's part of why it felt so much stronger than the 100% stock CRF250L I rode with about 4000 mi. on the clock?

It's obvious none of the 250 dual sports are ideal for traversing Texas highways ... or riding UK to Morocco via Peage/Autopista. In France motorway speeds are
90 mph to 100 mph. Lower in Spain but no one is hanging around. On a 250 you better STAY FAR TO THE RIGHT ... and watch your mirrors.

But fact is, once you get to most destinations (especially "3rd world") average speeds come DOWN. In Latin America on most rural roads speeds are 35 mph up to about 50 mph. There are a few fast highways but not many.

Asia has fast bits but all the good stuff, like Golden Triangle area, was 30 to 50 mph average. Not sure about Africa, only ridden Morocco a tiny bit.

With the WR I'm hoping to be able to ride the more technical bits of Baja with friends and not struggle so much ... or as much as I now do on my faithful DR650.

Mind, the DR650 can do A LOT of Baja without issue but it's that 10 to 15% that gets me. Seems like not a big deal ... but a couple hours of struggle and misery can ruin my whole day.

YES, I need to lose weight and get stronger. In the meantime, I'd love to at least try out the WR250R on a couple long dual sport trips and see how I do. Just have to find a place to store it! Thanks to Chris for all the great Morocco and Africa feed back on so many bikes!

Last edited by mollydog; 3 Oct 2017 at 06:14.
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  #41  
Old 22 Oct 2017
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I loved my stolen WR250R. She was a great bike for long distance riding. I had the 4.7 gallon tank, 14-tootk front sprocket, wide footpegs, aux. headlights, and raised handlebars. Tank range was 200-250 miles depending on the quality of the gas, and she didn't complain at 10000rpm for hours and hours. Light, easy to maintain, very simple and with a nice torque. For sure she is much better than CRF250L.

Here at the US the used ones go for $3500.

From what I read the Himalayan is slightly heavier and with less power.

In short, the WR is in my heart.

What a great forum!

-dionysis
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  #42  
Old 20 Aug 2021
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tornado

I don't know where you could buy a new 250 tornado in SA
In Colombia 2016 is the newest used you can buy , It comes with rear drum brakes
I saw one in the buy and sell that had rear disk that was converted from a DR 650
The xre three hundred is everywhere in Colombia
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  #43  
Old 20 Aug 2021
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Current Honda dual sport models in Colombia, no Tornado:

https://motos.honda.com.co/motos-honda/todo-terreno
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  #44  
Old 20 Aug 2021
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tornado

Si not available in Co Argentina yes
I still can't believe that honda makes a 250 with drum brakes
No thanks ill stick to disks
But it doesn't come as a surprise You can buy a brand new Toyota Hilux with rear drums It is standard with TRD stickers and all the bell and whistles
I believe these are assembled in Argentina
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  #45  
Old 22 Aug 2021
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Things boiled over here from possibly non-native English-speaking contributors and due to a couple of overlooked words.
I edited Cholo's post to add clarity [It has since been deleted by Cholo but is visible in SB's quote and reply]

I've ridden many 1000s of kms on the Tornados in Morocco and sure wish the machine was still sold there.
So it's great to see it still available in a few places in SA, even if it may only be as a rental to foreigners and not the best thing above 2000m asl.

Reminder: this thread is actually about WR250s - also a great small travel bike but discontinued a year or two back.

Last edited by Chris Scott; 23 Aug 2021 at 16:36.
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