I think the optimal weight would be 0 kg but like allways you have to take some compromises. Single cylinger bikes dont like long highway use, water cooling helps you in the desert, light bikes cant carry as much stuff as big bikes and old heavy bikes are more easy to repair and dont have a high loss of value as modern hightech bikes. The optimal bike for me was a 700 Euro Transalp with 200 kg, wich I could sell for the same price after the trip:

http://motorradtouren-suedamerika.de...en_transafrika

That looks like a GREAT Blog .. bit confusing to navigate, hard to tell Ads from content? Strange format! But great pics!

Love the Transalp! 700 Euros is a gift! Great reliable bike for sure.

Can you lift it Solo with all luggage on the bike?

Some singles are really OK on highway, but certainly not all. The KLR650, DR650 and BMW F650 Dakar are all quite good doing LONG highway. A good seat and proper set-up make all the difference. Owned & ridden many singles long distance
(XL600R, XR400R, KTM 640E, KLR650, XR650L, XR600R, XR250R, KTM Duke ll) DR650 is the favorite so far!

Rode 1000 mile day on my DR650: (Guerrero Negro, Baja, Mexico, to San Francisco, one day) I've done dozens of 300 to 400 mile days doing many long highway rides since 2006. Good seat makes all the difference but the DR is quite SMOOTH at 75 mph.

Generally, I would agree, water cooling is an advantage in very HOT weather. But does add some weight and complexity to any bike. DR650 has no radiator, no hoses, waterpump, just an oil cooler.

The DR650 has been fine riding WEEKS in 100F plus heat, including Death Valley at 118F. LOTS of Mexico too ... all at 70 mph. Absolutely no problems. Common story among DR650 owners ... Suzuki's SACS Air/Oil cooling system is very effective. Truly amazing motor in hot weather.


Death Valley (this pic in Winter)


Colorado from California, mostly highway. Here in Utah.
3500 mi. ride, 80% highway. Average highway speed, 75 mph. HOT HOT HOT!

DR650 is the easiest bike i've ever worked on. The fact that it rarely needs anything or breaks also helps! It weighs 324 lbs. dry (147 kgs) 368 lbs. wet (167 kgs. WET and loaded)

What are you doing in Brazil?

it's all good but why did they stop making those great old bikes? like dr650, transalp etc??? I'd like to get a new one and what? no luck...

I think its BECAUSE they are so great. People who buy a Transalp or AfricaTwin etc. will never return to the dealer again for the next 20 years but keep riding and riding more then 400.000km without any problems.

http://www.touratech.de/nc/vollmeldu...ratech/29.html

This way you cant earn any money but people who buy a BMW have to get another bike every year because they keep breaking down

BMW R 1200 GS Dauertest : TOURENFAHRER ONLINE
Dauertest-Abschluss BMW R 1200 GS - Motorrad-Dauertests - MOTORRAD
Dauertest BMW R 1200 GS Getriebeschaden - Motorrad-Dauertests - MOTORRAD

For the same reason printers and washing machines these days are specialy designed to fail after the end of warranty
People today dont care about quality anymore. Everyone wants the newest phone and newest model of what ever...

Stopped making them? Huh!??? You can buy a brand new 2014 DR650, KLR650 or XR650L at any Suzuki, Kawasaki or Honda dealer in USA. Right now! The Honda is same dry weight as DR650, the KLR about 15 kgs. heavier.

Each company have over 1000 dealers in USA. Also, you can buy NEW in Australia. Only the Honda is for sale in the EU.

The DR650 has not changed since 1996, the KLR was the same from 1986 to 2007 (only minor changes made in '07). The Honda XR650L has not changed since 1992. Of all three bikes, IMO, the Honda is most in need of a re-model/upgrade. If Honda did this, they could DOMINATE this little segment. (which is quite strong ATM)

Having owned and traveled on all three bikes for thousands of miles since 1990, I prefer the DR650. It's low and easy to ride. It's pretty good off road once upgraded suspension ... but most of all ... it's extremely TOUGH and crashes very well. (almost no damage from light falls)

I would consider the KTM 690 if it was a bit less expensive and more reliable. KTM will get there ... and I will be standing in line to buy.

Only Yamaha have stepped up with modern dual sport singles. (Tenere 660 ect). Yamaha don't import any of the those bikes to USA. I love "the look" of the Tenere' but not a fan of the weight.

none of them is available in Europe.

Because Europa has more strict emission regulations AND people did not buy them when they were available. Insted they prefere bikes such as http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ht-comes-73113

That's why some round the world travelers start in the US. Bikes are significantly cheaper when new and the used market is huge so there are lots of options. =)

yeah, we have that nonsense here unfortunately...
I guess I had to import one from the Wild West

Here's the rundown as I understand it regards what IS or WAS sold in EU.
I mostly know the UK, but may be out of touch, haven't been there in a few years.

The post 1996 DR650SE was NEVER sold in the EU, far as I know. You can find the previous 650 model used. (terrible bike)

The KLR was discontinued in most EU countries ... not sure exactly WHEN it stopped coming in ... but it's been gone about 10 years or so. :confused1: There are a few KLR's around used however.

The Honda XR650L was sold in UK and most of EU for years. Not sure it's status now, I thought it still might be for sale in UK ... but not sure. Also not sure about the rest of EU. But these bikes are around. Ted would know about this.