Yes, there is advantage to having your own bike that you know and trust. But to me it really depends WHERE you are going ... and for HOW LONG.

For Mexico, Cent. America and S. America I would take my own bike... because I can RIDE THERE! No shipping! I might even ship to Africa ... or maybe sell off in Chile or Argentina if good offer made?

I've been to Asia 3 times but only riding bikes on two trips. In both cases I rented bikes and was TOTALLY happy to do that. I would never ship my bike there. To cheap and easy to get rentals. Mine was BRAND NEW! (300 km on the clock?)

But I wasn't going RTW, just did a few weeks there, which is fine for me.

I have yet to do a tour of Vietnam even though been there twice but only rental bikes for day or two. (working trip)

For me, same goes for India. Seems quite difficult to import your own bike into India. Rather buy or rent a bike there. Been to India twice but never rode bikes there.

For EU and heading out to Mongolia or something, I would do what I've already done on previous trip. BUY A BIKE IN UK. Good used deals there.

I toured around some of the EU but went no further, but could have. Re-sold the bike 3 years later and only lost 800 Pounds after 22K miles of use. Re-selling easy. I did nothing, consigned to friendly shop, they wired funds to me. Job done.

So lots of way to Skin this Cat. No right or wrong way. Like I said above, I now prefer shorter trips confined to one continent or even smaller area.

Africa I would do in bits and pieces. I'd love to do a S. Africa tour. I'd rent or buy and just do 3 or 4 countries for month or two. Fly home.

I've been to Sudan, Ethiopia, Ghana and Maroc. Only rode a bit in Morroco.
Some day ....

It is way more intelligent to use different bikes on different countrys insted of wasting money for shiping exotic bikes around the globe.
Riding the same bike as the locals all parts are easy to get if needet and one does not lool and will be treated as money on legs. I road around Europa and Africa with a Bike from Europa, bought a 125cc Bike for South America and rented many bikes to get around Asia and India: Offroad Motorrad Weltreisen - das letzte Abenteuer

Thanks for all the replies!


I've decided to move ahead with just using the 2001 F650gs Dakar that I've already got (though I'm still open to other options). Just bought some used Jesse Luggage for it and a new seat. The only issue now is the surging between 3-4k rpm (seems to be common) is what I'm trying to sort out now.

Hi, sounds like a great idea but just thinking about the extra hassle of shopping and buying then selling plus the extra paperwork makes me shudder, Then there's the bike preparation including bike spares and tools to take etc would kill this option for me.
You have easy access to a bike I went to great expense to import to the UK from Texas, namely the DR650 and now ProCycle have waved their magic catalog over it I have what for me is the perfect travel bike. Just my 2pence

__________________
have fun with your helmet!

Good luck with your BMW! Might consider packing a few spares that tend to fail on that bike. Keep an eye on the water pump, head gasket. If your bike has never had a problem then it's probably OK.

Still, a water pump kit and head gasket not hard to pack. Also, fuel pump and F.I. filters and such may act up. Lots of info on Chain Gang and other owner forums on these issues.

Wheel Bearings another item I might carry on board. I think the '01 F650 uses a 520 size chain/sprocket?? I would consider upgrading to a 525 size chain.
In any case, get a DID X ring chain no matter what pitch size. Carry spare front sprocket ... swap it out about 8K to 10K miles. Will extend chain life.

Also, pay close attention to electrics and adding accessories. All the good info is out there, still plenty of these bikes out riding around.

I considered the beautiful F650 Dakars myself, but the extra weight over my DR650 put me off. The BMW is beautiful compared to my Ugly Duckling Suzuki, but the Suzuki is easy to maintain and has few problems ... ever.

Good luck! Where are you starting out your travels?

Could be true but depends where you travel and how long you intend to spend in that region.
If you buy or rent a bike in India, you'll be able to get the bike in your name or can rent a bike cheaply too. With both Enfield and Hero Honda ... and several newer Chinese bikes, repair shops and parts are nationwide in India.

Even the smallest village will have a Moto shop to fix common (and uncommon) problems. So doable. If you buy, some dealers offer buy back or just sell it off cheap. May still be less dear than renting, depending on bike.

Parts of Asia you can buy a bike and cross several borders ...(not all borders). Getting bike in your name is doable if you know the steps. Yes, bit of a hassle.
Or rent a bike in each country you go to. If you're staying a long time in either country then you won't spend a lot of time dealing with the bike relative to travel time. If you're in for just a week or two, then yes, and in that case rental is preferable.

You won't be able to custom outfit your bikes in either of above examples, so just use commonly available soft throw over panniers and be happy. No, won't be luxurious and over time you may adapt.

Well if that doesn't just read like a recommendation to buy a disposable bike locally...

Well, you could read it either way. That generation of F650 GS Dakar are beautiful bikes, fun to ride and work great if well set up and maintained. But of course the OP's bike is now 17 years old.

So ... measures must be taken! Nothing lasts forever, not even a BMW!
(don't believe the HYPE!)

But overall, that F650 may not be my first choice as a RTW travel bike. But if an owner knows his bike well, has done important upgrades and maintenance ... then ... WHY NOT? (Bring the spares ... and GO!)

But in some regions I prefer buying or renting a bike locally to avoid:
1. Import Paperwork hassles 2. border crossings 3. shipping costs (a big one)
4. Obtaining parts if riding NON local bike or exotic bike.

Being in California, if I wanted to cover S. America, I'd ride my own bike and ride South the whole way. I might sell the bike in Chile? ... or? ... ride home, ship home or ship somewhere else? Options are good.

Hi All,

I prefer to write in this topic instead of creating a new one...

I had more and more difficulties to choose the bike for my RTW (1 years plan for the moment, around 50k km).

i will prefer to get a recent bike in order to be able to buy a 2nd hand without too much kilometers (I don't want to re-build the engine on the road, just normal maintenance,...)
I will also prefer 19/21 inch wheels instead of 17" for the "offroad" part even if it will be really easy offroad.

I was thinking about the africa twin (2016 model) but afraid about the weight... or a 660 XTZ but on that case afraid by the lack of confort, lack of power, bad suspensions, brake,... 50kg less but also 50 HP ...

What's your advice? opinion ?


thanks !

The curb weight of the XT660Z Tenere 2008-2017 model are 206 kilos versus on the new Africa Twin its 232 kilos. Thus the difference is not 50 kilos as you say its 26.

Im 150 000 kms into a RTW trip with a XT660Z Tenere and I have encountered numerous problems, too many to mention here. If I were to start all over again I would not ever take the Tenere again. I would take something light and easy. Just my 5 cents though...

__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Hi Victor!
Have you read this thread start to finish? Also, many other threads here that discuss "Which Bike" in detail.

But hard to make a helpful recommendation when you DON'T include your location, your riding experience ... and most of all, what bikes interest you most.

I'm guessing your from Northern Europe somewhere?

The other thing you left out is your budget! How much can you afford to spend on your bike?

A 21" or 19" front wheel is a good idea, IMO. If you want to save money and want to travel Mexico, Cent. America and South America, think about starting your travel here in USA.

More good travel bikes for sale here, cheaper than EU (or anywhere), and not too hard to get the bike registered in your name.

In the USA we have 3 650cc class dual sport bikes not sold in the EU. We DO NOT have the Yamaha XT660 Tenere'.

We do have:
Kawasaki KLR 650 (legendary)
Suzuki DR650 (bullet proof, lighter than most, easy to maintain)
Honda XR650L (good if modifications done, expensive)

As with EU, also plenty of BMW 650 for sale going back to the 90's, plus modern KTM's, Husqvarna, Beta and more.

But the Topic here is One Bike For RTW ... or More? Read this thread and decide which way you would like to go. Both have positive and negatives.
Good luck!

Thanks for your replies !

Hi Mollydog,


Effectively not a lot if information about myself.
I'm 33 yo, from France. I get my first bike when i was 15 yo, motorbike driving licence at 18yo, and i'm doing a lot of track since 5 years (french supermoto championship) , I practice also in enduro regularly with some friends.

Budget 10k is ok, so the last Africa twin fit in it. I don't want to spend more, and prefer to avoid "european" bikes because i think it will be more difficult to find some parts if needed...

this kind of bike is not sale anymore here in Europe... (even the 660XTZ stopped) , and concerning the organisation of my trip, quite difficult to start by the US due to the weather (american continent trip will start next january from patagonia to Alaska , and the weather contraint force me to start by south america)


effectively wrong topic! sorry for my mistake...


@Snakeboy, sorry for the weight, wrong information... so for 26kg, will prefer the Africa... When you talk about something light and easy , any idea?

Victor, use search or create your own topic, will be easier and cleaner - there are plenty of topics about which bike for RTW is the best. This is different topic.

e.g. Best Bike for solo riding RTW | Adventure Rider

p.s.
Tenere is excellent bike especially for RTW, just need to take care of it as goes for any other bike.
Some tend forget about that.

Not so sure that OLD ADV thread would do a guy from France much good.
There are about a million such threads on ADV Rider, most end up in pointless
pissing matches, going in circles for 2000 posts.

The advice here on HUBB is more international, more rational and not as combative. There are some GREAT riders on ADV Rider, but also hundreds of bottom feeding Trolls.

No worries! You only need fill in your LOCATION. Go to User Control panel.
Good to know your riding background!

The Honda Africa Twin is a great choice, IMO.

NOTE: getting parts for ALL bikes not local will require a wait. For the thousands of little Chinese bikes, you may find parts in local shops. Others (Japanese, German, Austrian, American) you will have to order parts ... and, depending where you are, you wait 2 weeks ... or 2 months! Plus, you may have to pay import duty (tax) for any imported parts.

New, yes, not for sale anymore. But there are still many used ones out there for sale. And remember, Yamaha will support parts on that bike for at least 15 years in future.

You have a set "start date" for your trip? I did not see that in your post. Nearly anytime is good here in California to begin your travel. We ride year round. But November, December, January and Feb. are best to travel through Mexico and Cent. America.

I would save USA part for another trip or AFTER you finish with mex, Cent. America, S. America. Also, you want to try to reach Tierra Del Fuego by March. After that, it can get cold, maybe too cold to ride? (NOTE: November to March is best time for travel in this region)

Many riders from Europe buy bikes in USA (California, Arizona mostly) and save $2000 USD cost to ship bike from France to S.America.

Here you can also buy the Africa Twin here ... and cheaper than in France or EU.

If you want to spend less, look at bikes like: KLR650, DR650 (Suzuki) or Honda XR650L or R. All for sale here NEW or USED. Prices will range from $2500 up to about $6000 for those bikes used. New, a bit over $6000.

Used Africa Twin a bit rare, cost "around" $10,000 USD.

Also consider smaller bikes like Honda CRF250L, KLX250S and Yamaha WR250R (WR is my current favorite bike).

All these capable 250's would be GREAT for a S. America trip, not so good for FAST USA Freeways ... but fantastic on S. America dirt roads.
See above!

Good luck Victor!