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What mashine for a trans-siberian-tour What mashine for a trans-siberian-tour
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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.
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  #1  
Old 7 Jun 2004
jp jp is offline
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What mashine for a trans-siberian-tour
Hi,

I've been reading in this grat forum for quite a while and now would like to post a question of my own.

I am relatively new to motorbiking. I made my licence with the goal to be able to travel whereever two wheels can carry me. I'm currently gathering information for driving east from Germany into siberia along the so called trans siberian "highway". That of course leads to the most important questions: Which bike do I take?
My Preferences are, that the bike should be:
-inexpensive (I am a student )
-reliable, even on marathon rides, across asia
-simplistic & easy to repair, meaning no modern computerstuff or chips that keep me from starting the bike once they are gone etc. and availability of spare parts.
-able to carry a rack for aluminium-boxes for luggage
-low in fuel consumption

After some research on the internet I came to the conclusion that the Yamaha Tenere XT 600 Z 3AJ (1988-1990) or something out of the Suzuki DR 650's might suit these needs.
I welcome all thoughts or tipps you might have available for me.

Philipp

[This message has been edited by jp (edited 06 June 2004).]
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Old 7 Jun 2004
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Hey jp,
You've already identified the best bike for the sort of riding you want to do. Although you mentioned not wanting any "computerstuff or chips" you are not going to find a modern bike without them. The xt is fairly cheap, reliable, capable of carrying some baggage weight, well-known worldwide and gets fairly good mileage.
If you don't mind traveling slowly then you might try a dr350 or an xt350, these are both great choices.You might also consider an old xl600 (although these have some demons)because the price should be very low.

The dr650 would be a pretty good bike for you but it doesn't get great gas mileage, and it is pretty heavy.
good luck,
nate
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Old 7 Jun 2004
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Most of the roads you will travel on are bitumen..broken and corrugated but bitumen nonetheless. There is a Yamaha dealer in St Pete, Moscow, Tyumen and Novosibirsk that I saw. It is difficult to get good tyres but if yopu have a less than 10 years old XT you should be able to get spares.

I didnt make it past Novosibirsk..BMW gearbox failure..but the bikes you have suggested would be fine.

To get some idea what older bikes are being sold in Russia take a look at

www.nbsmotor.ru

The mechanics are marvelous.

If you are willing to camp or stay in the less salubrious roadside cafes Russia is very cheap to travel in. Esp compared to Euro land.

cheers

alec
http://users.netlink.com.au/~asimpson

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Old 8 Jun 2004
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Quote:
Originally posted by nate:
The dr650 would be a pretty good bike for you but it doesn't get great gas mileage, and it is pretty heavy.
This may be correct for the older models DR, but not the latest. For extensive coverage on the subject of the SE model (including the infamous engine grenade) see the Suzuki Tech forum on this site.

We've got one ourselves and it's low, light and uses < 5l/100km. I have adapted a 25l fuel tank (Acerbis) from the previous model. Carry racks are available from Hepco & Becker.

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.
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Old 8 Jun 2004
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beddhist,
Actually I am right. The current dr650 weighs about about 40 pounds more than a standard kick start xt600 (or an xl600) and about 70 pounds more than an xt350 (or a kickstart dr350).
Although (like most singles) the dr650 gets decent mileage it is by far the least fuel efficient (in stock form) of the bikes that I listed.
The dr650 does have a pretty low seat but if we assume that jp is of at least average height it shouldn't really matter (and if he is really short then buy the xt350).
It is true that a new (post '95) dr650 is much better than the old ones and weighs only a bit more than a kick start tenere, but jp listed "inexpensive" as his number one criteria so I think we can safely assume he isn't talking about a newer bike, and it is a well known fact that the pre '95 dr650 isn't nearly as reliable as an equal age xt600.
with annoyance,
nate
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Old 8 Jun 2004
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Thanks a lot so far. It seems that the XT 600 is the better choice and since I am also above average heigth (does 188 cm count?) the DR650's are probably out of the race. Although I think I remember having read something about height adjustably seats in conection with a DR 650.
I thought I look for a AJ - XT 600 Z (1989 or 1990) the last ones with air cooling - one thing less to worry, isn't it?
Where should one look for it or buy it? of course there is ebay and there are several bike forums on the net, but wouldn't it be better to go over a (local) dealer instead, even if it probably is more expensive. But who knows what condition via-the-web-bought-bikes are in... and me being quite a newbie who doesn't have the eye yet.

Regards Philipp
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Old 8 Jun 2004
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Have a few issues Nate!
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Old 8 Jun 2004
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Hello JP
Sounds like a neat trip. As far as bikes go I would advise you find a friend localy who is a 'motorhead'. Find someone who lives, breaths, and eats motorcycles. I am a motorcycle mechanic and we have several bikes in the back of our shop bought on ebay. One came in with a bad transmission. As far as simple is concerned, I like old bikes. I am about to leave on a 8K kilometer ride to northern canada on a 1981 honda. I bought the bike and a second parts bike for less than a set of aluminum panniers and the mount kit for them. This way I have spare cables, electrics, etc. etc. I do not have lots of money so I plan on fixing everything I can and also traveling quickly as I don't have to much vacation time. This seems to work for me over the years, I have been north of the arctic circle 6 times and south into mexico. Most of these trips entailed 8 to 9 thousand kilometers and as much as 2 thousand kilometers on dirt and gravel. My advice is to go do it. Happy trails to you.
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Old 9 Jun 2004
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Guten Tag
Whilst it would not be everybody`s choice do consider a smaller bike. These tend to use less fuel and are usually lighter.
Also consider what bikes are already in the area you are going to.
I think it would be a brave traveller who would set off on a Ural/Dneiper but do consider a MZ 250. These are cheap to buy and can last for years if cared for. With decent tyres and an enclosed chain this could reduce fears of breakdown. The downside is the need for two stroke oil, but any oil can be used and should be available throughout the old USSR.
Good luck and do post to tell us which bike you went for and about your trip.
Rob
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