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RTW - 2-up on a F650GS RTW - 2-up on a F650GS
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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 Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
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  #1  
Old 1 Sep 2007
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Two Up
Hey BB,

I see you are from Van as well. How's the rest of the summer been? Currently ridıng two up in Turkey after quickly coming across Europe. Ridıng a Vstrom. I too debated about bikes as will only be two up for part of the trip.

There are some couples doing well on theır 650s out there, but from my perspective you will be thankful for a larger bike. Hard to explain but it performs like you are riding well within the bikes limits with the extra weight and passenger. Biggest downside is the extra cost for fuel consumption with the bigger motor. I am biased of course, but İ would buy a low mileage Vstrom from the US (I got mine for less than 6K - a 2006 with less than 3000 miles on it) and spend all the money you save on a longer trip. If you are going to be around, İ'll be back in BC briefly in September if you want to get together for a .

Cheers.
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  #2  
Old 2 Sep 2007
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If you're open to other bikes, I'd suggest the Zuki DL1000 for 2-up travel. That bike will sht-n-get...and carry the load, too.
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  #3  
Old 2 Sep 2007
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Hi Blackbeast,

I did a two up tour of Ireland on my F650GS last year and, whilst it was a lot of fun, it was a bit of a tight fit once we'd fully loaded up with both of us and all the luggage.

A bigger bike might cost a bit more to run, ship, etc, but I think you'd appreciate the extra space it would give you.

Ben
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  #4  
Old 3 Sep 2007
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I guess part of the fun is the research & planning, let alone actually doing the trip.
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  #5  
Old 3 Sep 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackBeast View Post
I guess part of the fun is the research & planning, let alone actually doing the trip.

Told you so!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Dave
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  #6  
Old 4 Sep 2007
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We did about 3000km two-up (over about 5 days) and it was fine. It was all good highway riding though, and not much pressure on the suspension. The wife leaned back against the topbox and used our tent/sleeping bag rolls, which were strapped to soft panniers, as armrests. She often dozed off. She had a leather padded cloth thingy which she sat on to stop sliding forward, and was protected from the wind as I sat up on an airhawk. Sometimes she even crossed her legs (but she is small and flexible). The main issue was the loss of power which, while not totally debilitating, did mean the bike was revving in low gear to get up the steeper hills. I found the petrol consumption was quite high, perhaps 50% higher when fully loaded with an extra person. I might be exaggerating this figure but I remember being struck by how much more petrol I was using. In my view, a bigger bike would be better for the extra power, but on all other fronts the F650 is fine.
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  #7  
Old 14 Oct 2007
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I'm contemplating picking up a pillion for at least part of my RTW on my '03 f650GS. I'd LIKE the suspension upgraded, but if we can stick to decent tarmac OR slow speeds, the bike will do just fine. Her and I have done some long days in the saddle, complete with gear and camping gear, and it's fine. I'm a welterwight, though, and she's featherweight. So there's not a lot of us crammed up against the drybag, but it works just fine. Sheepskin buttpads and heated vests for both!

It's hard to figure out a "good" RTW bike for two: lightweight, powerful, handles too much load with ease, etc. Stick more to the tarmac and pick a bigger bike; choose the less traveled paths and perhaps sacrifice a bit of comfort on Saddlesore Days with a smaller bike. Test ride and see what you both like.

Mitch
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