OK, so here's a question!

Given that many of us RTW/Long distance travellers spend one heel of allot of time sitting on a bike in all sorts of environments just what would the ideal bike be for all of us?

That includes fuel type, range, suspension set-up, seat hight, engine capacity, lugguage capacity etc., happy on or off road, price new and everything inbetween! Lets not think about what IS possible but what would be THE dream!

This will only ever be a dream for us all OR will it? Maybe BMW have already achieved it with the Adventure or maybe not, who knows. But it could be an interesting discussion!!!

For me, it's shaft drive, air cooled ( or fitted with oil cooler ) pushrod rather than cam chain ( or with cam chain on side rather than in middle of engine, so it's easy to replace ) screw and locknut valves, below 170 kilo wet, naked ( no plastic fairings ) about 600cc tuned for low and mid range power, minimum 100 m.p.g.
I doubt if it will happen - a bike this cheap and reliable to run would put the manufacturers out of business!

I'd rather go for a chain, which is a hell lot easier to replace in the middle of nowhere...

I'd go for a bike between 110 and 150 kg...

I'd love to have a comfortable seat and heated handlebars - 'cause I had my fingers frozen to immovability once - getting the bike to stop was a nightmare...

I'd love to have that Diesel (multifuel) KLR, which would take Diesel, Kerosene (not sure if that's spelled right) and Frying-Oil...

I'd need 2 (or 3) large alloy-boxes that seal waterproof, have lids you can take off completely a carrier with some place where it breaks easily, but can be repaired easily either! AND that can be taken off with a lock, withouth opening the boxes...

It should be suitable for 2, even if I usually ride alone...

I'd need a range from 350 k's up with one tank - better somewhere close to 500...

It shouldn't take more than 3 Liters of Diesel - or not more thatn 4,5 Petrol...

It shouldn't be much higher than 800 mm, but not much lower than 750mm...

It should be OK for medium Motocross - or heavy offroad - even loaded...

It should be able to carry at least 300 kg extra to it's own weight...

Anyhow - I'm quite satisfied with mine - a KLR 650 Tengai...
(She just still drinks to much - gotta get the right carburator-mix)

[This message has been edited by onlycookie (edited 10 October 2002).]

Ok, you DID say dream!
It would have to look like the BMW Adventure, weigh no more than 150kg, have two side panniers that were like Doctor Who's Tardis, handle like an enduro, and Cameron Diaz would come as standard on the back seat! :-)

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Jennifer Love-Hewitt would be my choice but yes I did say 'dream'!

However, my bike would also be around 150kg, have shaft drive, ahve spoked wheels and tubless tires which were puncture proof. The engine would be about 75bhp, run on multi-fuel and be self servicing. The seat would have adjustable hight settings and have the comfort of a Goldwing. There would be loads of electrical power points for all those gadgets I love to have but never really use (big boys toys and all that!)

Finally, the most important thing my dream bike would be able to do is make me a world class rider. Dream on!!!