What would one ride half way around the world?

[bluesurf]

Cause its cold outside...like -10°F cold. Hey wait a minute, I used to ride to and from work all winter long at those temps.

+1.....I was finally able to get out yesterday for a bit, without dodging compact ice everywhere.

[bluesurf]

My DL650 is set up for RTW right now and would do a splendid job if the rough places were (as much as possible) avoided.

By "rough", I mean places that are not suitable for travel with any vehicle that has rubber tires on it.

Hmmmm, I've ridden a DL650 a bit, and stock or minimal aftermarket then they simply don't have the clearance to go a lot of places that other rubber-tire-equipped vehicles (KLR, for instance) do.  Heck, DL650's scrape on topes while fully-loaded KLR's don't come close.

There was a guy on ADVRider last year who fabbed up new forks, etc, for his DL650....made it a real adventure/ds bike....maybe you're that person?  

edit:  i was just searching about over at advrider and can't find the post...looks like the flea market forum was pruned 11/2006 and everything earlier is gone.

[SWriverstone]

And ever since that classification of motorcycles has come out, anyone on one, even when driving the Blue Ridge Parkway or old Route 66 is now on an Adventure.  

I'd hardly classified my Trans Labrador Highway Tour an "adventure", as remote and sparsely settled as it is. Its a regular tour in my books.

I think the worst thing to happen is the adoption of the 1200GS by motorcycling yuppies as the "gleaming SUV" of motorcycles—they've sadly become no different than all those shiny Cadillac Escalades, Toyota Sequoias, and Ford Gargantuas that are used for grocery store runs and have never seen an ounce of dirt (and never will)...

...but wait, I'm not allowed to say that, because it's a free country and people can do damn well whatever they please, and why shouldn't they?

Sorry, I stand chastized and will shutup now.   (None of this directed at you Alex!)

Scott

[black hills]

And ever since that classification of motorcycles has come out, anyone on one, even when driving the Blue Ridge Parkway or old Route 66 is now on an Adventure.  

I'd hardly classified my Trans Labrador Highway Tour an "adventure", as remote and sparsely settled as it is. Its a regular tour in my books.

if it is all on paved roads I would just use my usual mount

[forester]

Hmmmm, I've ridden a DL650 a bit, and stock or minimal aftermarket then they simply don't have the clearance to go a lot of places that other rubber-tire-equipped vehicles (KLR, for instance) do.  Heck, DL650's scrape on topes while fully-loaded KLR's don't come close.

There was a guy on ADVRider last year who fabbed up new forks, etc, for his DL650....made it a real adventure/ds bike....maybe you're that person?  

 No, I'm the guy who uses the DL on a daily basis for (roughly) 7 months out of the year/5-6k documented miles) in the course of managing forestlands for my clients, which are not exactly in the vicinity of paved roads  .  Granted, I've only done this for 1 year - 2006 - since I purchased the bike (before that it was the Radian  ), but since I run rural roads/two-tracks/trails for part of my living, I think I know a thing or two about traveling on something that vaguely resembles roads.

The main question here I would suggest you ask yourself is whether you are riding a singletrack RTW, or will a majority of your roads be paved or at least gravel with a few off-road jaunts from time to time.

I think putting the emphasis on ground clearance in a RTW trip is ridiculous unless you're "RTW" involves more than 50% off-road travel, which it will most likely NOT.  

Seriously, I am under the impression that some of you "adventure tourers" have been watching too many quad/ATV/four wheeler commercials with video of mud and muck flying everywhere while these machines are tearing up the countryside.  That is a neat visual image, but most of the places I've been have roads between point A and point B and for those places that don't, I'll side step the mud holes since I only need about 6" of a path around them.  The v-strom is quite capable of doing RTW.

What is most convenient for a RTW trip is a reliable drivetrain, a system that requires minimal maintenance and something that has a comfortable seat.  I don't know of a more reliable motor than the SV-derived powerplant, nor a more comfortable seat than the V-strom has on it.  My bike also has a Scottoiler TK7 tour kit in which the main oil resevoir will last over 10k miles, a crash bar/skid plate combo, a center stand and 12v outlets and GPS hardwired.  I would suggest that although my bike is set up for the long-haul paved tours between forestland tracts and my home office, with the options I have chosen, it could easily outperform most bikes on RTW tripping.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Photomd, I think you've got an odd perception about the KLR, but that's okay, you're allowed to have your own opinion.  Frankly, I find the KLR to be every bit as fun (and greatly more fun in many circumstances) to my XX; and even to my beloved B12.  

I'd be tempted to jump on the bandwagon and kneejerk support of the KLR too, but there are three other bikes to consider:

The KLX250S, DR650, and the Husky TE-610

The first may sound like an oddball in the mix, but if you're going around the world, chances are that you aren't doing so to set speed records anyway; and frankly most of the world travels a lot slower than we in the US do (and if you're caught really speeding they can confiscate your bike) so I'll assume top speed isn't a huge issue.  That means versatility, reliablity, repairability, simplicity, and ease of use are the main focus.

So, the KLX250S is light, which means in ugly situations will be a lot more friendly, especially after you pack some gear on it.  It also gets great gas mileage.  You'd have to opt for the larger aftermarket tank, but the same is true for the DR and the TE-610.  I don't really think this is such a huge issue.  If you want to go a little bonkers you can do the 330cc upgrade for nearly double the power output.  The great news is that this is done with factory Kawasaki parts, and was even offered as a free upgrade last year in other countries.  That's a reliable swap.  What that also means is that this engine is dead reliable at 250cc.  The KLX is more nimble on the road and really doesn't give up much of anything compared to its bigger brother.  See my review in the Dirt section.

The DR is a great bike, without the watercooling of the KLR.  I wouldn't let that worry you too much, but if you are spending a lot of time south of Baja creeping along, it may begin to be an issue.  By the same token you don't need to worry about busted water pumps or blown hoses.  The offroad-ability between the DR and KLR comes down to the rider.  The KLR will offer more in aftermarket to suit your particular needs.  The DR and the TE will both require new saddles for any extended travel.

The TE is a very nicely appointed bike, and sports a 6th gear (like the KLX).  What it doesn't sport is a very saturated dealer support or a long fuel range.  The tank and saddle for this bike will be more expensive.  The good news is that they've proven to be quite reliable and rather more capable offroad than the Japanese units (to exclude the KLX which will show the TE for its portliness).

As a final note, the F650GS is a nice enough bike, but it doesn't really offer any roadgoing prowess over any of the other bikes, and is heavier offroad.  Soft rims and expensive bodywork (as well as a nice target for thieves) makes this a less attractive machine in my book.  I like the bike, but you'd do better with a WeeStrom for paved road and groomed trails, and suffer compared to the other DS's listed.

I omit the XLs because they simply don't compare to any on the road for highway manners, and don't offer any gain over the more dirt oriented DSs listed.

[bluesurf]

  No, I'm the guy who uses the DL on a daily basis for (roughly) 7 months out of the year/5-6k documented miles) in the course of managing forestlands for my clients, which are not exactly in the vicinity of paved roads  .  Granted, I've only done this for 1 year - 2006 - since I purchased the bike (before that it was the Radian  ), but since I run rural roads/two-tracks/trails for part of my living, I think I know a thing or two about traveling on something that vaguely resembles roads.

The main question here I would suggest you ask yourself is whether you are riding a singletrack RTW, or will a majority of your roads be paved or at least gravel with a few off-road jaunts from time to time.

I think putting the emphasis on ground clearance in a RTW trip is ridiculous unless you're "RTW" involves more than 50% off-road travel, which it will most likely NOT.  

Seriously, I am under the impression that some of you "adventure tourers" have been watching too many quad/ATV/four wheeler commercials with video of mud and muck flying everywhere while these machines are tearing up the countryside.  That is a neat visual image, but most of the places I've been have roads between point A and point B and for those places that don't, I'll side step the mud holes since I only need about 6" of a path around them.  The v-strom is quite capable of doing RTW.

What is most convenient for a RTW trip is a reliable drivetrain, a system that requires minimal maintenance and something that has a comfortable seat.  I don't know of a more reliable motor than the SV-derived powerplant, nor a more comfortable seat than the V-strom has on it.  My bike also has a Scottoiler TK7 tour kit in which the main oil resevoir will last over 10k miles, a crash bar/skid plate combo, a center stand and 12v outlets and GPS hardwired.  I would suggest that although my bike is set up for the long-haul paved tours between forestland tracts and my home office, with the options I have chosen, it could easily outperform most bikes on RTW tripping.

I never said that you didn't know about roads...go back and reread the specific portion about "rough" and "any rubber-tired vehicle."

Simply put, the KLR will indeed go places that the DL650 won't, and these are the sort of places that I personally am more inclined to visit on an RTW.  The KLR is also much more amenable to being dropped and recovering, a real point on any extended off-road journey.  You mention RTW travel almost as though it's not a big deal, with numerous adventures, detours, obstacles, etc.  Having ridden both bikes in about all kinds of track, and now owning a DL1K as well, then I'll take the KLR over the DL650 given unfamiliar territory.  You and I would probably not make good RTW partners, as we'd constantly be splitting up and trying to get back together where the path meets the road.  

btw - I've done a fair bit of traveling, and watch very little tv.  

[Global Rider]

I think the worst thing to happen is the adoption of the 1200GS by motorcycling yuppies as the "gleaming SUV" of motorcycles—they've sadly become no different than all those shiny Cadillac Escalades, Toyota Sequoias, and Ford Gargantuas that are used for grocery store runs and have never seen an ounce of dirt (and never will)...

And neither do they have to. Dual purpose motorcycles just happen to be the most practical motorcycles out there. Whats wrong with using them solely on the street? You can even put street tires on them if that is all its used for.

You might not see it that way having a VFR in your stables.

[bluesurf]

The KLX250S

I'm curious about the load capacity of that bike.  The DR-Z can handle a good 150-200 pounds, but at the cost of the shock/handling.  The KLR can handle more, as it has a bigger frame (and less handling).  I think that there was about 200 pounds of scuba/camping/support tools/other gear on mine a couple of months ago.  I had the preload clicked up to 5, and that was pretty well maxed out.  The bike would actually power wheelie in second gear (granted, the 1tooth down from stock front sprocket was left on, but still, it's a *KLR*)

Personally, I think that the KLX is too little for any real long-distance long-term adventure trips, but am curious about its load capacity, thanks.

[Global Rider]

if it is all on paved roads I would just use my usual mount

There was a rider out of the US that used his Harley and pulled a trailer. Then another rider out of NB on a BMW R1100 RS. You can do it on street bike, but it wouldn't be my choice. There are 660 miles in total of loose gravel involved.

[bluesurf]

Not sure how many people are aware of the HUBB, so wanted to post the link here.  They even have a specific forum for "Which Bike."

http://horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/

[forester]

You and I would probably not make good RTW partners, as we'd constantly be splitting up and trying to get back together where the path meets the road.  

Somehow I doubt any/either of those things.  

If you can push, carry or pull a KLR through it, I can manage to get my weestrom through it too.

The only advantage of any other bike would be something less than 250lbs., which you could lift over an obstacle, depending on whether or not you could walk through it.  

Again though, that's not the point.  The point is going to wild ass places, learning about diverse cultures, minimizing mechanical issues and making it back in good health with bike.

[bluesurf]

The point is going to wild ass places, learning about diverse cultures, minimizing mechanical issues and making it back in good health with bike.

 

[motomyth]

That is a tough question.  Myself I have ridden from Los Angles to Panama.  I was on a 1981 Seca 400.  So I am sure you realize it has been quite some time ago.  However, in my travels I have noticed that Suzuki seems to be the most prevalent anywhere I go, except in European countries.  So I think where you are going would be a factor.  

IMHO the Wee-Strom maybe a good fit.

Jeff

[tedrbr]

Without know what parts of the world the original poster is looking to travel to,
how long he plans to stay out on a trip,
how good he is at performing his own maintenance while on route,
how much support he can count on.... I mean Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman could have had another GS airdropped to them on their trip if needed.....
if he is traveling solo or with others,
how much gear he is planning on taking with him,
.....
and the arguing and venting of one's spleen on other's suggestions is kind of pointless.  There have been many bikes that have done these kinds of trips in the past, and many bikes now capable of doing such trips as designed, or with modification.

In short, the selection and outfitting of the bike partially is determined by the trip envisioned.

[Head]

Bah!  I took my pile off-road and it handled quite well.  From sandy loose soil, to bouncing over softball sized rocks, all on the same stretch.  Just stand up, stay loose and let er rip.  It also nearly maintence free with shaft drive and hydraulic valves.  I could loose a cylinder and still have three

[SWriverstone]

And neither do they have to. Dual purpose motorcycles just happen to be the most practical motorcycles out there. Whats wrong with using them solely on the street? You can even put street tires on them if that is all its used for.

You might not see it that way having a VFR in your stables.

Yeah, I guess you'e right. I just like the idea of purpose-built vehicles (or bikes) actually being used for that purpose. But hey people live in airplanes, power drills with bicycles, and haul lumber with motorcycles...so hey, anything goes.   I admit I enjoy riding the KLR on the street as much as the VFR!

Scott

[photomd]

I admit I enjoy riding the KLR on the street as much as the VFR!

Scott

See, that's what I'm talking about!  

Not "this brand" needs to get over it. "I'm not bashing". Whatever.

My opinion of one bike should mean nothing (especially when exaggerated) to people that enjoy it. Enjoying the ride!  

[Global Rider]

I admit I enjoy riding the KLR on the street as much as the VFR!

Yeah, it has a lazy relaxed feel about it. But owning other bikes, I don't think I could live with it as my one and only primary mount unless I was on a budget. But thinking just over three years back, what an enjoyable tour that was abord my KLR.

[VIVID1]

KTM 950 Adventure