Let me add my two cents from someone who has owned these bikes.

Yes we used them as farm bikes. We had a Yamaha AG100 that served us for 21 years, and they stopped making parts for it after 8 or so in Aus. It was out in the rain, constantly covered in cow shite, and the hills I've seen it go up fully laden ie My large dad and two/three kids with fence posts, would put a BMW GS to shame. I took this through mud and creeks at 20yrs old.

Came standard with great racks, hand guards and a comfy seat.

We also had teh Honda Ag bike equivalent, 2000 model. Again, great features, chain guard etc, good power, durable. The only problem with the Honda was teh sidestands were too narrow, and in soft or wet groud the bloody thing would fall over all the time. In sayingthat, it always kicked of again.

They are so slow because they are geared accordingly.

You would note that in the adventure motorcycling handbook, Chris did an arican adventuer on one, and on the suzuki they recommended changing the rings every 40,000km!!

Basically they would be a mongrel on any road over 80-90km, but for off road africa or mongolia, I would take one in a second. Also great for females as they are low to allow you to use your legs in the rough stuf.

So if you don't have an ego that needs stroking, give it a go.

No the apparent myth about Aussie farmers using them to chase sheep for shaggin......well tehy're a far better option than your pasty pommy back packer, and generally less hairy.

By the way....when the AG100 died, I added the racks to an SR500. I've found it to be a great overlander.

Now if they would only put the 500, or 600 engine in the Ag bike frame, it would be a winner

Great post enricodepaoli

I have a CTX200 and ride it everywhere. I have just done 1200km's in 4 days.

Check out my blog: Trailrider - Adventures & Ride Reports

I would like to know more about the higher suspension though.

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