Hi,
I was after some advice/ opinions on which bike to get and how to get it for a UK/Spain/Morocco/Europe type tour for 6-12 months as soon as i can get enough cash together (looking like march or so 2010 at this stage!).
Its looking like two options at this early stage.
Option 1. Transport a bike from home (Australia)- I have a 2002 GSXR600 which i absolutely love. Would consider taking it but has a few electrical gremlins (water getting in the plugs i think and loose wire type stuff. Headlight, taillight & ignition etc spontaneously stop working) Frustrating as all hell, particularly on a pitch black night halfway around a corner...but it is true love. I have done some long trips loaded up with tents, camp gear, even fishing rods, and ended up down a few dirt roads deep in national parks but might be pushing my luck taking it abroad. I have no idea what i'll come across, particularly in Morocco. Haven't had too much comfort dramas putting in 700-900kms a day up and down the east coast for a few days on end but doesn't sound ideal long term. Or i could buy another bike and ship it over (maybe skip UK as only going there to buy/register bike. Thought it'd be easier in english speaking)
The advantage of this option is that i can rigg it up and get everything set before leaving. And if i get another bike can practise and get used to it.

Option 2. Buy a bike in the UK and sell it when i'm done. Advantage is saving of shipping but it'd be a pain having to get all the setup done in a real rush. Plus would be starting on a new bike in a new country where everythings back to front.

Which leaves the next question of what bike to get.
Not looking to get too far off the road and definitely love the corners. Want to get along some mountain roads and even like to get on a race track at a few places and the nuremberg ring thing etc. Something more sporty i think. A gixser would be great...
but... then the common sense part of my brain decides to start working and suggests something to take the luggage, panniers etc and more comfortable and durable like a V-Strom would be more suitable.

So how do GSXR's go with hard panniers etc and how well do hybrid bikes(like the V-strom (650 or 1000???More questions, arhh!)) handle the quick corners and sporty stuff? Is there a better bike i should look at that might suit? Buy in Aus or UK?

I know this is a bit long winded and i'm sort of thinking aloud but any suggestions would be helpful.

Cheers,
Jim

My first thought would be do you want to ride fast or just ride fast round corners?

The reason for this question is that there are plenty of bikes that can get you knee down antics, if you know what you're doing.... Also because you can get stupid lean angles on a Super Moto shod 650 single: mountain roads on a Super Moto would be more fun than ona supersport IMO, having had both...

I had a R1150 GS and whilst it was heavy and lacked the power of the sportsbikes I have owned, it could still rim the tyres on most corners. Most bikes will handle surprisingly well, so bikes like the V-stroms with good engines and relatively light too, would be a barrle of laughs on grippier tyres, and handle panniers beter than you Gixer.

Where these all failsomewhat (unless you get a V-stom 1000, Varadero, or 1200GS) is flat out speed and sheer power, althoguh 100BHP in a 200kg chassis is still nothing to be sniffed at, despite what bike mags would have you believe.
They will still leave a supercar behind at the lights!!

So what do you want? S
peed, corner speed, comfort, all 3, etc...

And if you feel that your 600 would do the job, you can always buy ne in the UK: buyers market in the current economic situation , IMHO...

__________________
Adventure: it's an experience, not a style!
(so ride what you like, but ride it somewhere new!)

Kawasaki Versys will go the distance, will put a smile on your face through the twisties and can handle rough roads.. (Off road can probably be done, but that's not what it's meant for)

Alternatively, just fix the issues you have with the Gix' and bring that :-)

have a test on an R6, they are a lot better over long distances than GSXR's. build quality is usually very good and prices quite low. Andy

sorry, i should have said pre 06 r6 (05 is the best), 06 onwards would cripple you very quickly. Andy

You might want to consider a FZ6 Fazer. It has a slightly detuned '03 R6 motor but with a comfy riding position. I can get 60mpg out of mine giving me roughly 230miles to empty - useful in Morocco I would think. They have a good reliability record and almost 100hp and 180Kg or so. They are cheap too.

Only problem on this one is there are probably not heaps out there used given they are fairly new on the scene. If you try one, try the er-6f version as well. I tried both a while back and the versys seemed a slightly taller / softer / de-tuned version but practically the same bike. Both sat fairly upright and comfy. Both are a long way from a supersport though I'm a tall guy though, so the idea of a GSXR etc for touring was just off-putting as i'm cramped on one after an hour, let alone 6! Add the cost of insuring the thing and that was it for me.

At least when I was looking a while ago, these bikes were at a price point substantially better than the Fazer etc. Not sure what the used market is like, I think 2006 was first model for er-6f, 2007 for the Versys?

On your other q's.
UK vs Aus Buying - Big question here will be getting it registered and insured. Are you going to be resident in the UK? There are a few other threads on this, suggest having a look around, but it can be a challenge.

Good luck anyway, in my experience, most things with 2 wheels are fun, I spent a number of years commuting/touring a fair bit of aus on a 250 GSX, so you can get away with just about anything.