The ideal around-the-world bike is?
Discussion
Hoping to retire in the next decade or so, I've started to think about a properly big bike trip, but which bike?
Would you go old school e.g. 1980's Tenere XT600 / Suzuki DR600 - keeping it simple - one cylinder, not too heavy, basic mechanicals, plastics that bend not shatter, but with spares possibly difficult to get hold of?
Or bang up to date on a smaller GS, Tiger, Tenere 700 etc - new bike reliability, possibly tubeless tyres, lots of options for kit, decent spares etc, but tall and heavy, and electronics a mechanic in outer mongolia might struggle with?
What's the ideal bike?
Would you go old school e.g. 1980's Tenere XT600 / Suzuki DR600 - keeping it simple - one cylinder, not too heavy, basic mechanicals, plastics that bend not shatter, but with spares possibly difficult to get hold of?
Or bang up to date on a smaller GS, Tiger, Tenere 700 etc - new bike reliability, possibly tubeless tyres, lots of options for kit, decent spares etc, but tall and heavy, and electronics a mechanic in outer mongolia might struggle with?
What's the ideal bike?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
This, or maybe early carb. CG125.Having ridden extensively in places like Pakistan it needs to be as simple as possible, ideally fixable with a socket set, time, and a can do attitude.
Go to the motorbike bazaar in Karachi and it is all 125's or lower, that is the biggest city in the country. Get out into the sticks, which is what would make the trip, and they won't have seen anything on your list.
Trade off is obviously speed, but then depending on how rural you go the roads aren't really designed for that anyway.
Light, simple, reliable.
People have done RTWs on hard-tail Harleys, sportsbikes, posties, BMW GSs, and everything in-between. A lot will depend on your route, your ability (both riding and maintenance), and your budget.
If you haven't already found it, head over to the Adventure Rider forum.
People have done RTWs on hard-tail Harleys, sportsbikes, posties, BMW GSs, and everything in-between. A lot will depend on your route, your ability (both riding and maintenance), and your budget.
If you haven't already found it, head over to the Adventure Rider forum.
TT1138 said:
Crf300 L or Rally. Maybe a KTM 390 adventure. Light, cheap, easy on tires, reliable, modern and able to be fixed by most mechanics in most parts of the world.
For this and the suggestion of a Cagiva I would be as concerned about breaking something as I would it breaking down. E.g. if in the middle of nowhere a tyre shreds or you drop it and break the gear level where is a replacement going to be found.If it is a bike used all over the world you stand a far better chance of finding spares or buying a bit off someone else's.
Trouble is there isn't a one size fits all answer.
It totally depends the route and places you want to see and the type of travel you're happy with.
Lots of offroad stuff? Then a drz400, crf250/300l would be great.
Lots of long a-road/highway riding in developed countries then they won't cut the mustard as well.
Spending lots of time in South East Asia? Anything over 125/150cc is likely to not fit in and be overkill.
Add in the costs of carnet, insurance etc and that can be a huge deciding factor.
Personally I've been semi planning a similar rtw trip and I think my CG125 is the one I'll take.
Lightweight, economical, easy to fix, easy to find spares -(they're still sold new in Pakistan I believe), cheap to buy and therefore carnets are cheap. Small so easy to ship/fly/freight between countries as it can pack down quite small.
Horizons unlimited is a great source of info too.
I spoke to a chap who rode round the world on a modified crf450. When I asked what the one thing he'd change to do the same trip was he answered "a lighter bike"
Enjoy the planning and the eventual trip!
It totally depends the route and places you want to see and the type of travel you're happy with.
Lots of offroad stuff? Then a drz400, crf250/300l would be great.
Lots of long a-road/highway riding in developed countries then they won't cut the mustard as well.
Spending lots of time in South East Asia? Anything over 125/150cc is likely to not fit in and be overkill.
Add in the costs of carnet, insurance etc and that can be a huge deciding factor.
Personally I've been semi planning a similar rtw trip and I think my CG125 is the one I'll take.
Lightweight, economical, easy to fix, easy to find spares -(they're still sold new in Pakistan I believe), cheap to buy and therefore carnets are cheap. Small so easy to ship/fly/freight between countries as it can pack down quite small.
Horizons unlimited is a great source of info too.
I spoke to a chap who rode round the world on a modified crf450. When I asked what the one thing he'd change to do the same trip was he answered "a lighter bike"
Enjoy the planning and the eventual trip!
Thanks all. I had an R100GS and like them for the simplicity but nowadays I'm probably in the less is more camp (although I'd revisit one to make sure). I don't think Elefants work for me - seat height, spares availability? I have a little VanVan 200 at the moment, but that feels just too far the other way, as fun as they are, plus there's not much in the way of aftermarket luggage as far as I can see. So something in between... The 1980's Tenere was THE rally bike for me. I had the DR600 - chuggingly strong engine, almost unstallable, but deep down always thought "yeah, but it's not an XT", plus it was a little tall.
Hmmmm... DR350/400, CRF...
Anyhoo, I've been dreaming about it for a couple of decades and have the best part of another to go, so I'm not exactly in a rush. Thanks for the pointers to the other sites btw.
Hmmmm... DR350/400, CRF...
Anyhoo, I've been dreaming about it for a couple of decades and have the best part of another to go, so I'm not exactly in a rush. Thanks for the pointers to the other sites btw.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 8th May 14:32
Moulder said:
For this and the suggestion of a Cagiva I would be as concerned about breaking something as I would it breaking down. E.g. if in the middle of nowhere a tyre shreds or you drop it and break the gear level where is a replacement going to be found.
If it is a bike used all over the world you stand a far better chance of finding spares or buying a bit off someone else's.
That’s the point of the CRF300 and the KTM 390. CRF300 is just a variation of Honda’s bulletproof 300cc single. Made in Thailand and exported everywhere. Almost any bike shop in Far East will be able to get parts. If it is a bike used all over the world you stand a far better chance of finding spares or buying a bit off someone else's.
KTM 390 is made in India in huge numbers by Bajaj. Parts easily obtainable in Europe, America and Australia through KTM and rest of the world from India.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff