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What adventure bike?
https://www.trf.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=86
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Author:  John [ Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:27 pm ]
Post subject:  What adventure bike?

Me and a mate are considering a long distance trail riding tour. Maybe down through France and Spain to Portugal picking up as many trails as possible on the way.

We're thinking a couple of big BMW's would do the trick nicely to cope with a bit of high speed motorway work and easyish trails whilst carrying a fair amount of luggage.

Does anyone have any recommendations of what to buy or avoid? We wouldn't want to pay loads which kind of rules out newer 1200 GS's but maybe an older 1100 or 1150?

Author:  Mag [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 12:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What adventure bike?

Don't know a great deal about them but this looks a nice old thing....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAGIVA-ELEFANT-GOOD-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ280333905605QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycles?hash=item280333905605&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683%7C66%3A1%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Author:  Domsday [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What adventure bike?

Depends on the depth of your wallet really. Africa Twins, KLRs and KTM Adventure 950/990 are some of the other choices....

Author:  Mr Gravity [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 4:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What adventure bike?

A mate of mine done this on an Africa Twin from lincs down through france and back no probs,paid £1800 for bike you never no in todays climate there are bargains to be had ,as for off roading one i was out with a lad from wytrf on saturday and all that i managed on wrf450 he managed on africa twin thats my tupence worth anyone else :?: what ever you do life,s an adventure go for it. :arrow:

Author:  John [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 5:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What adventure bike?

I was thinking BMW GS 1100 to 1200 as my road bike is going to have to go to fund it so I want to be able to do everything on the new bike that I do on my road bike as well as a bit of off roading.

I reckon I can get a half decent 1100 or 1150 for 4 or 5 grand and that's about my limit.

I don't want to use my WR450 as the service intervals and road speed will make it a bit crap.

I used to have an XT660 and don't think that would be big enough for the long road sections.

Author:  AdamA [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 6:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What adventure bike?

John wrote:
I used to have an XT660 and don't think that would be big enough for the long road sections.

I think the new one would be the perfect bike for such a trip as you describe.
Any GS 1100 on will be WAY too heavy for anything other than a gravel driveway.
Having ridden with a new Tenere quite a lot recently on and off tarmac it had no worries coping with all the roads my GSA did (after a long road trip to join us each time) and is more than capable with staying with my 450EXC on the lanes.

Take a look here to see what the owner has to say about it:
http://www.therevcounter.com/off-road/2 ... z660z.html
http://www.therevcounter.com/motorbike- ... 2-3-a.html

Author:  steve cartwright [ Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What adventure bike?

Me, Adam (Cornwall Group) and Dan went ot Morocco in '07 on XT600s. More than adequate on Motorways. Tin luggage etc. Met more than one 'adventurer' over there who couldn't cope witht the weight of their BMW or KTM twins in the sand. Criteria for bike choice: proven record, cheap, simple, inflammable (in case we had to abandon it)!

Author:  Cedric [ Sun Apr 19, 2009 7:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What adventure bike?

A group of us went to Morocco for a month, one lad had a 1150GS adventure,it was way too heavy and too much of a handful in the soft stuff as well as the rocky trails. Two of us had Africa Twins, which were the best compromise for long distance and the rough stuff, it was so good I have kept the bike and intend use it again on the same sort of trip. You will need to fit some knobblies though as the trail type tyres are not so good. Hope you find something you like and have a good and safe trip.
Cheers John from Dorset.

Author:  John [ Sat May 02, 2009 9:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What adventure bike?

Thanks all for the advice, I've pretty much ignored it all and gone for a GS1150 Adventure :oops:

I suspect I will live to regret it (best case :? ) but we're not going to try much more than easy trails.

If one and a half actors can handle them I'm sure we can :lol:

I've had to sell my road bike (a 600 Fazer) to fund the GS and I'm hoping the GS will do most of what the Fazer did (I know from experience an XT660 won't having owned one) on the road as well as allowing for a bit of easy off roading.

I'm picking the GS up from Devon and riding to Melton Mowbray on Monday so that will be a good first test (mainly for me)

Author:  tony_d123 [ Sat May 02, 2009 10:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What adventure bike?

Obviously you have made up your mind already, but I can never understand why people go for 1200 BM's for these trips? I would have thought an F650 or F800 with a top speed of around 120-130 would be more than adequate on the road and a lot less of a handful on the rough stuff.

Good luck and make sure you do some weight training before you go, for when you have to pick the beast up!

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