What would one ride half way around the world?

[Global Rider]

KTM 950 Adventure  

It and the 640 Adventure (seriously considering) wouldn't be bad if they at least put a seat on it that I can sit on for 500 miles.

[bluesurf]

It and the 640 Adventure (seriously considering) wouldn't be bad if they at least put a seat on it that I can sit on for 500 miles.

Uwe and Ramona love their 640's and have traveled distant places with them.    I'm not sure what seat(s) they use, or even if they sit down, but it seems to work for them.

I don't think that they have their own web site, but are regularly featured in both print (RoadRunner) and various online sites.  They were also here (Seattle) in 2004 and gave a cool presentation of their travels.

[black hills]

All KTM's have at least 4 seat options(check the hard parts catalog). You should be able to get the reg. seat or the tall and you can get firm or soft in either hieght. If those don't work I believe corbin makes a seat for them also? Personally I have put a corbin on everybike I have owned in the last 15years. My CBR was terribly uncomfortable with the stock seat. The Corbin and heli-bars made it a completely different bike. The CBR works great on gravel, but dirt roads/trails have it bottoming out far to easily, unfortunately I can't help but switch to dirt biking mode?. If I was planning a trip that involved anything other than pavement or good gravel roads I would choose the adventure.

[R.Markus]

It and the 640 Adventure (seriously considering) wouldn't be bad if they at least put a seat on it that I can sit on for 500 miles.

I have heard a lot of complaints about KTM's seats. I like the one on the 640 (but I'm skinny and have no butt to speak of), but still want to get a Renazco Racing seat since they make onethat is an inch lower. Most people that have them swear by them.

[bluesurf]

I have heard a lot of complaints about KTM's seats. I like the one on the 640 (but I'm skinny and have no butt to speak of), but still want to get a Renazco Racing seat since they make onethat is an inch lower. Most people that have them swear by them.

If it's just for an inch of height, then have you considered shaving your stock seat?  I haven't done it, but have seen walkthroughs and it looks a lot cheaper and possibly more satisfying/custom fit than buying a new non-custom seat.

[R.Markus]

If it's just for an inch of height, then have you considered shaving your stock seat?  I haven't done it, but have seen walkthroughs and it looks a lot cheaper and possibly more satisfying/custom fit than buying a new non-custom seat.

I've considered it and still may try it. I like the seat the way it is for the most part...my inseam just isn't too thrilled about it.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Hey guys - I'm going to toss this into "Dirt Lovers" seeing at it's 99% dual sport talking here  


I'd still take my KLR  

[R.Markus]

Hey guys - I'm going to toss this into "Dirt Lovers" seeing at it's 99% dual sport talking here  


I'd still take my KLR  

I'd take a KLR...or an Ascot, Nighthawk, KTM 640, Ural...or whatever. What I can't seem to buy at the store is the nerve to throw everything aside and ride whichever one I choose half way around the world (not that I'd really want to give up my entire life for that, which may be the main problem).  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I'd take a KLR...or an Ascot, Nighthawk, KTM 640, Ural...or whatever. What I can't seem to buy at the store is the nerve to throw everything aside and ride whichever one I choose half way around the world (not that I'd really want to give up my entire life for that, which may be the main problem).  

I think I could do it. If I could set up my house with renters to maintain it and keep it paid for... I'd be willing to hop on the KLR and just start riding. Maybe try and swing something like Uwe and Ramona and do little jobs along the way to pay for tires and gas.


But on the other hand, I'm really happy where I'm at and being able to take the trips I do

[cyeager]

I'd go with the XR650 myself. It is fully capable of just about any terrian, its reliable as a rock, and Honda is the only manufacture that can honestly claim an actual global support network.

[miles]

I would like to see a VFR ride across river 3+ feet deep river, or through a foot of mud or snow.

Well, it isn't a VFR, it's an FZ6, but still...




There have been so many people that have ridden the most unlikely bikes in the the most improbable places (google Sjaak Lucassen, for example) that I'd have to say just take whatever bike you damned well please.  I might suggest that you stay away from anything too large, expensive, or fragile, but other than that anything goes.

Some examples:
Sjaak on his goofy R1
Emilio Scotto on his GL 1100 Goldwing
Robbie Marshall on his Triumph Trophy 1200
That GuzziDoug guy on his ancient Indian (By the way, check out www.guzzidoug.com for a strange twist to his story)

And so on.
I'm not saying that these are excellent choices, but they all seemed to work just fine for the people that rode them.


miles  (me?  I'd take my Speed Trip, but I would put those tires that come on the Ulysses on it)

[miles]

The closest I've ever come to an RTW trip was back in '84 I spent a couple of moths riding around back roads in Mexico and Central America.  My Yamaha XS650E was a fantastic bike for it.  As has been pointed out precious little of your time on a tour, even in the poorest of third world countries, will actually be truly off-road.  Most degraded dirt roads are passable on pretty much any motorcycle, if you ride with some care.
I wouldn't sweat it.


miles

[SWriverstone]

But if China or Iran dropped the bomb and we retaliated...and the world got scorched...and what was left of humanity was engaged in a life-or-death struggle for the precious few resources remaining...and gangs of hockey-mask-wearing thugs roamed the (now destroyed) roads...and all order had devolved into chaos...and there was no law...

I'd want a KLR!  

Scott

PS - I'd have to add the "sharp metal spikes" mod to it though...

[forester]

But if China or Iran dropped the bomb and we retaliated...and the world got scorched...and what was left of humanity was engaged in a life-or-death struggle for the precious few resources remaining...and gangs of hockey-mask-wearing thugs roamed the (now destroyed) roads...and all order had devolved into chaos...and there was no law...

I'd want a KLR!  

Scott

PS - I'd have to add the "sharp metal spikes" mod to it though...

I don't need a KLR, since I have an accurized AR15 and lots of spare ammo!    With that combo, I can get as many dirtbikes as I want!

Maybe I'll get some penetrator rounds so I can score me a brinks truck, add some steel plate to it and build some missle launchers outfitted to the sides    Mad max-style.  

[photomd]

But if China or Iran dropped the bomb and we retaliated...and the world got scorched...and what was left of humanity was engaged in a life-or-death struggle for the precious few resources remaining...

:snippage:

I'd get a XR400 or keep my CR....you need to go deeper in to the woods.  

[black hills]

For those not familiar with Sjaak, his R1 seemed to work alright: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/26968/sjaak_the_world_video/

[Smooth Operator]

If you can get an R1 around the world, it really comes down to your budget & tastes. Sorry, just like a bar, YOU have to pick your own poison...

[mcrides]

Thinking about embarking a long journey into buying/equipping a bike to travel an insane amount miles on?
Hints, suggestions, solutions, ideas, lets hear them.

Depends on what types of roads. A lot of bikes would qualify. But I'd give a hard look at the new Kawasaki Versys. Based on the Ninja 650R parallel twin.


Bruno
Montreal, Canada
CBR 929

Gerbing Cascade Extreme jacket review
:

[Albie]

Complaining about a seat on a bike is just plain nit picking. It's easily fixed. The stock seat on my GS Adventure was horrible. I replaced it with a Corbin, which really wasn't all that great but I could put some decent mileage on it. Sometimes you get lucky. the stock seat on the Strom and Busa are great. Never even considered changing.

[R.Markus]

But if China or Iran dropped the bomb and we retaliated...and the world got scorched...and what was left of humanity was engaged in a life-or-death struggle for the precious few resources remaining...and gangs of hockey-mask-wearing thugs roamed the (now destroyed) roads...and all order had devolved into chaos...and there was no law...

I'd want a KLR!  

Scott

PS - I'd have to add the "sharp metal spikes" mod to it though...

I don't need a KLR, since I have an accurized AR15 and lots of spare ammo!    With that combo, I can get as many dirtbikes as I want!

Maybe I'll get some penetrator rounds so I can score me a brinks truck, add some steel plate to it and build some missle launchers outfitted to the sides    Mad max-style.  

Dante, now you're going to have to move this thread to OT.