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Which dual sports for mostly tarmac? Which dual sports for mostly tarmac?
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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 Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #16  
Old 16 Jul 2008
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Well, I own a 2006 Vstrom so I am biased, but I have modified it a lot with addons and in 2 weeks ready to start my RTW trip. I will be doing dirt with knobs on and a lot of tarmac to boot.

I see someone mentioned resale value and Suzuki in the same sentance. I have 2 answers to that.

1. I bought my bike to ride, not sell !!!

2. If I did decide to sell, the resale value would still be good, because these are a 'wanted' bike. The news is spreading fast and more and more are buying them, new or old. The Vstrom specific forums like VSRI and Stromtroopers are getting more and more converts every day.

That said, it is a heavy pig of a bike and I have and will continue to drop it, but it is tough and so far reliable. I have 51,000km on the clock in just 2 years

Like I said I am biased

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  #17  
Old 17 Jul 2008
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Your question was skewed towards a bike on TARMAC therefore forget any single cylinder motorcycle. You really need to be looking at twin cylinders, something like a Transalp etc... Quite simply a multi-cylinder bike is more suited to high speed distance work.

I'm a great fan of XT6's and although it does everything adequately it isn't suited to high speed / long distance touring on tarmac. It will do it but it will not be comfortable and you will eventually kill the poor thing if you ride all day over 70mph! If however you seek a reliable, well put together, bulletproof, mainly offoad (tracks and light offroad) adventure touring machine then the XT family is KING! It is almost indestructable ask owners (including me).
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  #18  
Old 17 Jul 2008
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DL really impressed me when it was out and I already knew that SV650 engine is an exception in terms of reliability and performance... but... I am not sure if such a long wheelbase and a huge heavy body is necessary for a 650cc bike claiming to be a jack of not all but many hearts. After struggling a little bit in the city and in the narrows with DL, I must admit that it is not an object of affection for me any more (but I still admire pre-08 Transalp and KLE500s for example).

It's maybe because I am now very used to my versatile KLR650 after so many troublefree experiences wherever and whatever you can think of.

can
Last edited by cozcan; 17 Jul 2008 at 09:19. Reason: one word addition
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  #19  
Old 17 Jul 2008
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Originally Posted by Bronze View Post
The elefant is pretty light and works extremely well off-road and on.
At last, someone who knows the TRUTH!! Given their excellent on/off road performance and the absolutely bullet-proof de-tuned ducati lumps in them they really are the ideal overland bike, as long as you are prepared to carry your spares with you. Ducati spares availability in europe is bad enough.......
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  #20  
Old 17 Jul 2008
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Originally Posted by cozcan View Post
(but I still admire pre-08 Transalp and KLE500s for example).
Indeed that is correct and the Kwaka KLE 500 can be found in the UK for £3,000 NEW! This bike is often forgotten or dis-regarded by riders who seek a reliable RTW bike. At only £3,000 this represents what is probably the best value Trailee in the world today! I kid you not, this thing is truly impressive compared to other bikes including the legendary XT's of which I am a fan and convert.
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  #21  
Old 18 Jul 2008
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V-strom is a good bike especially with aftermarket exhaust system fitted(sounds sooooo lovely!),BUT.......beware there is a known issue with the main wiring loom(corrosion of the wires internally,hard to find) and the ECU.I'm not a Suzuki main agent or anything but i've had to replace looms on 4 bikes in the last 3 years and 3 ECU's(customer's bikes).Another slightly annoying thing is there is no lower frame underneath the engine that you can jack under for maintanance purposes and for off-roading the protection at the lower front area is poor(oil filter sits right in the way of any stray rocks!).Check rear wheel bearings regularly,they tend to fail mainly on the drive side first(sprocket side).
As has been pointed out,twin cylinder bikes will be nicer to ride if you're spending almost all of your time on the blacktop,but if economy is what you're looking for then it has to be single cylinder and the XL600LM tops them all.How does 80mpg fully loaded sound?
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  #22  
Old 19 Jul 2008
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Originally Posted by JonStobbs View Post
V-strom is a good bike especially with aftermarket exhaust system fitted(sounds sooooo lovely!),BUT.......beware there is a known issue with the main wiring loom(corrosion of the wires internally,hard to find) and the ECU.I'm not a Suzuki main agent or anything but i've had to replace looms on 4 bikes in the last 3 years and 3 ECU's(customer's bikes).Another slightly annoying thing is there is no lower frame underneath the engine that you can jack under for maintanance purposes and for off-roading the protection at the lower front area is poor(oil filter sits right in the way of any stray rocks!).Check rear wheel bearings regularly,they tend to fail mainly on the drive side first(sprocket side).
As has been pointed out,twin cylinder bikes will be nicer to ride if you're spending almost all of your time on the blacktop,but if economy is what you're looking for then it has to be single cylinder and the XL600LM tops them all.How does 80mpg fully loaded sound?
OK, so maybe you should mention the actual year/model of the ones you had to repair, because they were early model issues not later ones.

Don't modify your exhaust either, not all countries like loud bikes, it gains you nothing in economy but it can get you noticed by authorities

Anyone who takes any bike out for a rtw trip is not going to keep it stock standard, it is going to be modified to suit the intended use, so of course a bash plate of some description and an oil/rad protector is an essential, not many bikes come with these as standard.

And to ride a single pot on long distances on the highway would be painful.


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  #23  
Old 19 Jul 2008
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First I've heard of repeated problems, Major problems like this are not missed on these boards.
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Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 20:18.
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  #24  
Old 31 Jul 2008
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Originally Posted by kentfallen View Post
Indeed that is correct and the Kwaka KLE 500 can be found in the UK for £3,000 NEW! This bike is often forgotten or dis-regarded by riders who seek a reliable RTW bike. At only £3,000 this represents what is probably the best value Trailee in the world today! I kid you not, this thing is truly impressive compared to other bikes including the legendary XT's of which I am a fan and convert.
I couldn't agree more my kle has been brill in 8k mles no trouble and cheap to service etc and mines up for grabs
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  #25  
Old 13 Aug 2008
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Just in case you wanted to read more on what people are saying about the V-Strom check out this thread.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...check-in-24476
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  #26  
Old 13 Aug 2008
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If you're Balkans-bound (specifically other than Croatia), then i'd get a slower bike due to the 60kph blanket limit you'd be advised to travel at... so if you like Honda's i'd say get a Dominator/FMX/Xr at a push. Just my opinion!
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