Which Bike ?
 

Does anyone have an opinion on which bike would be more suitable for some long distance travel, A BMW F650GD or a KTM Adventure, or an R80GS Basic ? ive riden them all and still cant decide ! any other opinions would be great.

Personally I would get a Yamaha XT or a Honda XR, simply because Japanese manufacturers have a better network for parts availability.

Of the three you mention, if I were riding solo I would go for the F650. The Rxx-GS would be good for two-up. The KTM is a good machine, but my impression is that it would be hard to get parts for in the 3rd world.




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Bruce Clarke
brclarke@islandnet.com
www.islandnet.com/~brclarke

I'd have to agree with Bruce - the BMW twins are great two-up, but heavier than NEEDED for solo. If you want to cruise fast - not recomended in the third world - they're wonderful, cruising at 80mph/140kph just fine all day.
On the other hand, they're lousy in the sand and soft stuff. If you have visions of wandering down strange dirt roads in Africa take a big single, you'll be a lot happier.

Reliability wise, the KTM imho is not the best, whereas the Japanese stuff is pretty durable and solid. The F650 has proven to be reliable as well. Catch is it costs as much as TWO Kawasaki KLR650s.

The criteria for a RTW bike: Simple, light, easy parts availability, easy to fix, good luggage capacity, comfortable over a long distance, good fuel capacity, and no exotic metals. And last but not least - do you LIKE it? YOU have to feel good about the bike and have faith in it. Make your own decision.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Andy i said in my email for hard work go BMW for light adventure and fun go KTM. when you breakdown DHL is a good option for spares.

Thanks for all your advice guys ! a really great service grant, thankyou

That's a great selection of bikes Andy, I like them all - but depending on your riding style and destination I'd say the BMW GS Dakar version is a good allrounder: smooth, economical and comfy, the KTM is great on the dirt and strong but relatively uncomfortable - an important factor - and the Basic has a lot going for it - the best of the old-style BMs for comfy long-range tarmac with a bit of dirt - but even a Basic is a dog in sand unless you have knobblies.

Chris S

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Author of the Adventure
Motorcycling Handbook. New edition November 2000 ($19.95/GBP12.99)
http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com