Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Small heavy/light bikes Small heavy/light bikes
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
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



Like Tree26Likes

Reply
Page 3 of 4 12 3 4
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #31  
Old 30 Nov 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Portugal permanent, Sweden during summer
Posts: 480
Statistics
Yes,
there are some contries where 50 and 125 cc bikes are common.

Do you have a reference ?

But not in nothern parts of Europe.

Statististics from Sweden

1 BMW R 1200 GS/GSA
2 Yamaha MT-09
3 Yamaha MT-07
4 Kawasaki Z800/e
5 Kawasaki Vulcan S
6 Honda CRF 1000
7 Kawasaki ER-6N
8 Triumph Tiger 800/XC/XCA
9 KTM 350 EXC-F
10 Yamaha FJR 1300
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 30 Nov 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 448
Top 10 best-selling motorcycles - Motorcycle News

Actually it was an old reference I found - this latest one shows 4 in the top 10 under 300cc now, although one of the 6 is a 500 scooter.
I guess in Northern Europe the weather is not conducive for commuting on a 2 wheeler so motorcycling is a for fun - hence the desire for larger capacity bikes.
I don’t think it’s anything to do with being a man, it’s just practicalities. My wife has a large motorcycle and she’s definitely not a man, we just go on long camping holidays.
Last edited by Flipflop; 30 Nov 2020 at 13:19.
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 5 Dec 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Portugal permanent, Sweden during summer
Posts: 480
Summary from Youtube
Good overview of models.

And problems with enduro bikes
- Hard seat
- High seat
- Small fuel tank
- Low oil volume
- Short interval between services
- Large need for modifications


Only problem with DR 650 is that is not imported to Europe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsorI76PBYc
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 7 Dec 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 219
A month ago I picked up a 2020 Suzuki Vstrom 250 (DL250) for my wife but also for some fun on the trails similar to what I understand you are chasing.

It fits the bill for me well. It may seem heavy on paper but I don’t feel the weight at all.

(I do normally ride a GSA though LOL).

Can you test ride one? Hire maybe?
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 7 Dec 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Portugal permanent, Sweden during summer
Posts: 480
Suzuki DL
That is where I started.
The weight of DL 250.
Yes, I have tested it.
I have used a DL 650 XT alot.
DL 250 is more or less a DL 650 with a 250 engine.
The only reason to buy one is if you do not have license for a 650 bike.

This about that weight does not matter and that you do not feel it.
Well,a s long as you are driving on tarmac, that is correct.
Even for a 300 kg bike.
But as soon as you need to handle it on any other way, you feel it.
I have tried all the range, from 125 kg to 300 kg.
And it mattes a lot.

A 150 kg Honda 400 cc is my choice.
For discovering Portugal. Using gravel and back roads.
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 7 Dec 2020
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erik_G View Post
In other parts of the world, small bikes are popular.

Roads are worse, traffic is heavier...



People want something small, robust, easy to maintain.....

And that creats a market. And local production.

In Europe, you need to have a big bike to be a man.

And there is no market for small bikes.



(Myself, I have spent most of my life on GSX1100 and GSX-R1100. And my touring bike is a GTR 1400.

So I am no exception)



HD Sportster 900/120 0cc is a moped for girls.

Yamaha 535 something a beginer can use for a short time.

A 750-800 cc bike in general (GS 750, VN 800...) are also entry model.

To learn driving and get your license before you get a "real" bike.



But we will see if things change. The major companies are launching 300 cc "Adventyre bikes"



Honda in Brazil produces several interesting bikes.

E.g The Cargo.

The "Pizza delivery bike" that "Old Man" drove from Mexico to Ushaia and than to New York.( 125 cc verdion)





And since I live in Portugal now, I have found one of them here.

Due to the relation Brazil- Portugal.

It is the Honda NX4, NX400, Falcon.

It was sold in Brasil, some other SA countries and Portugal !

Produced from 1999-2008.

(And a newer version 2012-2014)



https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Falcon_NX4







It ticks almost all boxes in my wish list.

https://www.motonline.com.br/guia-de...da/nx-4-falcon



Good used ones are for sale around 2 500 Euro.



https://www.olx.pt/anuncio/honda-nx-...tml#31103e59a3



When/if this period of "state of emergency" and restictions in movement ends. I will try to get my hands on one of these.
The NX4 is a great bike for South America. I have a 2003 model, still going strong.



Sent from my SM-A307G using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 8 Dec 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 219
The DL650 is 220kg wet.

The DL250 is 179kg wet.

That’s a 41kg weight difference.

The 250 is not a 650 with a smaller engine.


(Edited: wrote DL650 twice)
Last edited by Homers GSA; 18 Dec 2020 at 23:42.
Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 8 Dec 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 219
“A 150 kg Honda 400 cc is my choice.
For discovering Portugal. Using gravel and back roads.“

I am a little confused here. Are you riding formed dirt roads or ‘off road’ like enduro riding? Places four wheel drives don’t go?

Are you having to pick the bike up - is that the weight issue?
Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 10 Dec 2020
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 45
When reading through threads about smaller bike, am nearly always surprised that the Kawasaki Super Sherpa rarely rates a mention despite the fact it would beat most others eg Serow hands down?
Reply With Quote
  #40  
Old 10 Dec 2020
brclarke's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 812
The Super Sherpa didn't sell all that many, so most folks are not familiar with it. I have read of them, but I don't believe I've ever seen one in the flesh.
__________________
Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
Reply With Quote
  #41  
Old 10 Dec 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 448
Quote:
Originally Posted by trumpycam View Post
When reading through threads about smaller bike, am nearly always surprised that the Kawasaki Super Sherpa rarely rates a mention despite the fact it would beat most others eg Serow hands down?
Everyone I know that has owned one has loved them but they didn’t sell in big numbers - it seems to me that Kawasaki spend a fraction, on their marketing, of Honda and a lot less than Yamaha.
Reply With Quote
  #42  
Old 10 Dec 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: South of the border (MN)
Posts: 170
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flipflop View Post
Everyone I know that has owned one has loved them but they didn’t sell in big numbers - it seems to me that Kawasaki spend a fraction, on their marketing, of Honda and a lot less than Yamaha.
Super Sherpa: 128kg (280 lbs), air cooled, 6 speed, 830mm seat height (32.7 inches), durable motor. Low seat height makes it super easy to handle on the roughest of goat paths. Suspension could be better for riding faster on rougher roads, but it's not designed to be a race bike. Recreation riders failed to respond to a dirt bike that was not race marketed, thus its fate. For the short inseam rider, it's one of only a couple small motor choices available.
Reply With Quote
  #43  
Old 10 Dec 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Portugal permanent, Sweden during summer
Posts: 480
Bikes not availible
The Kawasaki Super Sherpa (KL250G USA, KL250H in Japan, Canada, Australia, Greece and the United Kingdom) is a dual-sport motorcycle produced by Kawasaki. It has a 249 cc DOHC four-valve air/oil cooled four-stroke single-cylinder engine.

=
What a pitty. Looks lika another excelent bike that was not sold in Europe. With UK andd Greece as exemptions.


Same with Yamaha XT 250. Excellent bike. Japan, US and I think UK. That is all.

Why UK. Maybe due to some rules they had/have for 250 bikes. I know from the old days that 250 cc was very popular in UK, due to rules. When we had 350 cc of same type. Honda CB, Yamaha RD, Kawasaki S1/S2...
Reply With Quote
  #44  
Old 11 Dec 2020
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 45
Nice to see some love for the good old Sherpa, loved mine and now son has one.
Reply With Quote
  #45  
Old 18 Dec 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Portugal permanent, Sweden during summer
Posts: 480
Engine
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homers GSA View Post
The DL650 is 220kg wet.

The DL650 is 179kg wet.

That’s a 41kg weight difference.

The 250 is not a 650 with a smaller engine.
Huw much of those 41 kg wredue to a smalller engine (and fuel tank)?
What is left for a lighter chassie ?
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 3 of 4 12 3 4

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Warning! Why not to rent bikes from Stonehead Bikes - Delhi! WorldlyMaret West and South Asia 23 2 Dec 2021 06:18
Shipping two bikes from Australia to Canada luckyluke84 Australia / New Zealand 0 12 Nov 2016 22:28
Winging my way across the USA backofbeyond Ride Tales 7 20 May 2016 23:12
Thoughts on small bikes (200cc) in the USA DavidZweig North America 18 15 Apr 2016 20:31

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:02.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top