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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.
Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #61  
Old 1 Mar 2015
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I've had only three BMWs: A F650 Funduro, a R1150R and a K1200GT (the older one). Except a leaking gasket causing the clutch to slip on the GT, none of them caused me any problems at all. But I didn't jump them in the green lane either. I had to get a Yamaha WR250R to do that with some sort of structural confidence. I've had a bunch of Guzzis, though, and apart from the standard electrical circus on my older ones, I never saw any major issues with them. Otoh, the Tonti frames are unbreakable, so maybe that should be the back bone of my next long distance tool? Very easy to maintain, and even with a shaft drive it's lighter than the GS.

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  #62  
Old 1 Mar 2015
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Wow! Is that your Guzzi in the pic?
Nice! That's a cool set up for a Guzzi! I always hoped Guzzi produce a light weight dual sport bike like that ... but they never did.

(I owned a '84 850 Le Mans lll ... wish I never sold it! A collectors item now!)

When you say "Tonti" ... is that Carlo Tonti? Did he design the Guzzi frame?
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  #63  
Old 1 Mar 2015
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Alas, it's not my bike, but I'm thinking of converting an SP1000 I have into a bike similar to that one. Also, I agree: If they used the new V7 engine in a light weight set up, at least they could compete in the XT660Z Tenere class.
The Tonti frame is named after its originator Lino Tonti, who joined Moto Guzzi in the late '60s, replacing the father of the V-twin Giulio Cesare Carcano (who also designed the 500 cc V8 in the '50s).
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  #64  
Old 1 Mar 2015
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Guzzi have a fantastic history. I was lucky to see the V-8 in person years ago.
Never heard it run though.

Guzzi was in the "hard enduro" mix back in the 80's a bit, many interesting Dakar racers and such.

The one Guzzi I looked at closely was the 1100 Quota. The closer I looked the more problems I saw. I thought of buying one but after studying it, realized all the mistakes Guzzi made. It was ALL WRONG. IE: The swingarm looked like it came off a 250cc bike! (Quota was 1100 monster) Of course it was too heavy, had crap suspension and brakes as well.

First saw the Quota at local dealer in early 90's .. then years later at a HU rally in Canada.
Never once ever saw a Quota out on the road anywhere!

Now it's just the Stelvio 1200, which is one of heaviest ADV bikes.
I rode it at the big USA National Guzzi rally in Oregon. Good street bike! Fun, but BIG, HEAVY and expensive.

Guzzi did some interesting dual sport bikes with the V35 and V65 years ago. I'd also like to see them get serious with a smaller, lighter ... and less expensive dual sport. Could make a good travel bike.
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  #65  
Old 1 Mar 2015
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I had the Quota 1000 for many years and liked it. Built like a dumper truck. You could never break that frame in a million years. I upgraded the suspension and brakes which made wonders. But heavy and under-powered. Also had the Stelvio, which is sweet and well balanced, but truly a heavy road bike. I am getting more and more into smaller displaced bikes these days. I find them funnier to ride as I can take them places I'd never think of taking the Stelvio. And they tend to be a lot cheaper, of course
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  #66  
Old 2 Mar 2015
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  #67  
Old 2 Mar 2015
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Sweet! While it seems like we now are totally OT, and extending my deepest apologies for that, please allow me to add to those beauties:





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  #68  
Old 3 Mar 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by indu View Post
Sweet! While it seems like we now are totally OT, and extending my deepest apologies for that, please allow me to add to those beauties:
well, I don't find them particularly looking good, especially these parrot like colors...

and yes this is really off topic.
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  #69  
Old 3 Mar 2015
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Perhaps a nice beige camper-van would suit you best?
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  #70  
Old 3 Mar 2015
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Japanese bikes are heaving serious problems as well.
With cars you can get away for while but with bikes, even small thing can cause crash.

Quote:
Recall Date
NOV 25, 2014

Motorcycle Affected
2013 YAMAHA XT250

Summary
Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Yamaha XT250 motorcycles manufactured August 1, 2012, to October 1, 2014. The affected motorcycles contain an air induction pipe and hose which may fail after prolonged periods of high RPM operation. The air induction hose may melt causing hot exhaust gases to leak from the hose.

Consequence
A melted air induction hose may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy
Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air induction pipe and hose, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2015. Owners may contact Yamaha customer service at 1-714-761-7300. Yamaha's number for this recall is 990091.

Potential Motorcycles Affected
4776

Read more: 2013 Yamaha Xt250 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM Motorcycle Recall at Motorcyclist Magazine
Quote:
Recall Date
APR 01, 2014

Motorcycle Affected
2013 YAMAHA YZFR6

Summary
Ohlins Racing AB (Ohlins) is recalling certain steering dampers kits manufactured with an incorrectly machined bracket. These dampers were sold for use as aftermarket equipment on Yamaha R1, R6, and FZ6, Suzuki TL1000 R and GSX1300R, Honda CB600RR, and Ducati Monster 1000, 748, 848, 916, 996, and 998 motorcycles. Also included are universal steering damper kits with part numbers SD 000 through SD 005. The affected brackets may crack.

Consequence
If there is a crack in the steering bracket, at low speeds it may cause the steering to lock, leading to personal injury or a crash.

Remedy
Ohlins will notify the distributors and provide their customers with a new bracket. The recall began in November 2013. Owners may contact Ohlins USA at 1-828-692-4525. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13E-034.

Potential Motorcycles Affected
2827

Read more: 2013 Yamaha Yzfr6 STEERING Motorcycle Recall at Motorcyclist Magazine
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  #71  
Old 4 Mar 2015
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"may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash"

What a load of bollocks, if you engine stalls & you fall off you shouldn’t have a bike licence in the first place.

What happens when you hit reserve? duh,,if your not quick enough to flick to reserve yep guess what,,,your engine stalls.

Never heard such crap in all my life.

Mezo.
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  #72  
Old 4 Mar 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mezo View Post
"may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash"

What a load of bollocks, if you engine stalls & you fall off you shouldn’t have a bike licence in the first place.

What happens when you hit reserve? duh,,if your not quick enough to flick to reserve yep guess what,,,your engine stalls.

Never heard such crap in all my life.

Mezo.
I guess you have problem with imagination, if you're in the intersection or passing and the engine stall you may have close encounters with some other vehicle resulting in crash.
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  #73  
Old 4 Mar 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robson View Post
I guess you have problem with imagination, if you're in the intersection or passing and the engine stall you may have close encounters with some other vehicle resulting in crash.
Any bike can stall if you run out of gas, as can any car, truck, bus, or aircraft.

Engine stalls, pull in the clutch & coast/roll to the side of the road, job done.

What`s your point?

Mezo.
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  #74  
Old 4 Mar 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mezo View Post
Any bike can stall if you run out of gas, as can any car, truck, bus, or aircraft.

Mezo.
exactly, and this can be dangerous depending on situation. Running out of gas you can predict, you have warning light for that. Unexpected stall during some maneuvers can be fatal, can be no time or place for pulling clutch and roll to the side of the road.
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  #75  
Old 5 Mar 2015
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The manufacturers fear is that the untrained (especially American), inexperienced or mentally unprepared will sue. Only stupid people pour scolding hot coffee down their necks, yet we've all seen the warnings McDonalds lawyers feel are worth printing on every cup despite the resulting ridicule and loss of marketing style. We've all read the threads where some rider was making a stupid overtake and is looking for an excuse as to why they decided to "lay her down" be it unexpected cow **** on a country road, utterly unreasonable car drivers who insist on coming the other way on a two way road or better still the bike that won't run without petrol and didn't work out it was going a long way that day.


These notices are ammunition for the defence, not information for the normal rider.


Andy
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