If bought and read a lot of books of people doing long distance d/s trips. Latest 3 is by Jonny Bealby, Dr Greg Frazier and Chris Scott. Came to some interesting insights into which bikes they prefer before and after the trips. In summary the following:
Generally 3 (types) bikes:
1. GSs - strangely nobody seems to like the modern big GSs. The most popular bike is the R80GS, followed by the R10GS. Some did it on either 650GSs or Dakars - not a lot on Dakars though. They don't like the modern GS because of (a) too heavy - for riding and airfreight transport - you pay per kg, (b) to complicated to maintain/repair - lots of electronics (c) not reliable enough - lots of horror stories and (d) too expensive to buy, rig and potentially leave behind - popular to highjack/steal
2. KLRs - very popular and after all the GS models combined the second most popular bike for RTW trips. Need aftermarket fittings. They are cheap, relatively light and reliable/maintainable. Lots of aftermarket support. Didn't catch on with the Europeans though - mostly a Yank/Canadian bike.
3. Different models of air cooled 600/650cc - Yamaha XTs and Honda XR/XT/NX models. These are mainly used by Europeans and normally means bigger fuel tanks and other mods.
What is of interest that about all the real hard-core RTW veterans which don't just follow the LWR's track with a support vehicle, but ride the Americans from top to bottom, Europe down to SA, NZ up through Indonesia to Russia etc - use singles in the 600/650 class.
The difficult routes like crossing the Sahara, the wet forests of SAmerica and Indonesia, the watercrossings and terrain in Asia, etc etc just don't lend itself to big bike travel.
So do you think the big GS's and maybe bikes like KTM 950s (not 640s - they are capable and popular RTW bike) etc are overrated as real, 'kannie dood' long distance continent d/s crossers?
Your opinions
Hein
Ps sometimes i think us SA'ers are to much big bike befok?
Generally 3 (types) bikes:
1. GSs - strangely nobody seems to like the modern big GSs. The most popular bike is the R80GS, followed by the R10GS. Some did it on either 650GSs or Dakars - not a lot on Dakars though. They don't like the modern GS because of (a) too heavy - for riding and airfreight transport - you pay per kg, (b) to complicated to maintain/repair - lots of electronics (c) not reliable enough - lots of horror stories and (d) too expensive to buy, rig and potentially leave behind - popular to highjack/steal
2. KLRs - very popular and after all the GS models combined the second most popular bike for RTW trips. Need aftermarket fittings. They are cheap, relatively light and reliable/maintainable. Lots of aftermarket support. Didn't catch on with the Europeans though - mostly a Yank/Canadian bike.
3. Different models of air cooled 600/650cc - Yamaha XTs and Honda XR/XT/NX models. These are mainly used by Europeans and normally means bigger fuel tanks and other mods.
What is of interest that about all the real hard-core RTW veterans which don't just follow the LWR's track with a support vehicle, but ride the Americans from top to bottom, Europe down to SA, NZ up through Indonesia to Russia etc - use singles in the 600/650 class.
The difficult routes like crossing the Sahara, the wet forests of SAmerica and Indonesia, the watercrossings and terrain in Asia, etc etc just don't lend itself to big bike travel.
So do you think the big GS's and maybe bikes like KTM 950s (not 640s - they are capable and popular RTW bike) etc are overrated as real, 'kannie dood' long distance continent d/s crossers?
Your opinions
Hein
Ps sometimes i think us SA'ers are to much big bike befok?
