[Navigatoroneill]

If I wanted to do a bit of a trip, say something like a bike version of Plymouth to Dakar Challenge what am I looking for in a bike?

I suppose it'd need to handle a fair amount of motorway/road miles but be able for off road (sand and whatnot) too.

Anyone done anything like this?

Also where the hell do you get some experience with this sort of carry on? Sneak down dollymount strand early in the morning?

I've a Ninja 250 and not looking to spend a whole lot on a second bike.

[Pumuckl]

Navigatoroneill, on Jan 10 2010, 04:31 PM, said:

Also where the hell do you get some experience with this sort of carry on?

http://www.bmw-motor...ff-road-skills/

Navigatoroneill, on Jan 10 2010, 04:31 PM, said:

Sneak down dollymount strand early in the morning?

U might get a whole different experience then what you might be looking for at Dollymount beach

[Tenmill]

Africa Twin perhaps.

[Fazerpete05]

Quote

U might get a whole different experience then what you might be looking for at Dollymount beach

Do tell Pumukl

[jimbob]

africa twin 750 €2500. tdm 850 €1500. or a super tenere 750 your looking around the €1500 mark
or a kle 500 but there a bit gutless
a v-twin or inline twin would be less vibration
an old single would have a bit more vibration and not so good on motorway but abit less money around the €1000

[Pumuckl]

jimbob, on Jan 10 2010, 08:10 PM, said:

africa twin 750 €2500. tdm 850 €1500. or a super tenere 750 your looking around the €1500 mark
or a kle 500 but there a bit gutless

agreed

would be looking at tenere meself, but can't get me feet on the ground - too short-arsed

XT 600 would also be fairly reliable or the new XT660Z - superduper, but again I'm too short for it.

KTM 640 Adventure or Kawasaki's KLR 650

or BMW F650GS Dakar - but it's a single

[fatso]

I reckon this would be worth a look at, prob get it a bi cheaper than asking price, already tooled up and ready to go!!

http://belfast.gumtr...1/52363201.html

[john_aero]

well dakar is great bike. have one my self and looking to sell it.

it is light enough for the size of it and easy work off road.

kle is good bike had one for a while and did some off roading but when has any bags etc on it feels very under powered.

ktm 640 are great but suffer from engine problems when get high in the miles

[jamesobrady]

Africa twin for sale in sligo if you're interested. It'll get you to bolivia and back if you're interested. Am fairly certain it's never seen a mile off-road in its life.

[skipper]

fatso, on Jan 13 2010, 08:49 AM, said:

I reckon this would be worth a look at, prob get it a bi cheaper than asking price, already tooled up and ready to go!!

http://belfast.gumtr...1/52363201.html

Them links never show a specific ad

[Super10]

Navigatoroneill, on Jan 10 2010, 04:31 PM, said:

... what am I looking for in a bike?

Also where the hell do you get some experience with this sort of carry on?

me, I want the KTM 640 Adventure/Rallaye
(I'll dream on tho, lol)
your budget will make the decision though.


the likes of the Africa Twin, have been round the world several times, but are a massive machine to use in soft sand when fully loaded.
KTM 950's and GS BMW's the same (but loads of money)
all these type will munch up the roads no problem.

the Honda XR series are older and bulletproof, esp XR400R
but no E start ... bummer.
and need a few mods for your trip.
eg., Carb, and mod the subframe for luggage.

for mid-price rage, mebe have a look at the Honda XR 650 L
Similar to the XR650R but it has the E-start, and the Dominator engine ...

http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/200931339005907

>>> Also where the hell do you get some experience with this sort of carry on? <<<

dont know of any training courses in ireland

some of us have been to www.i2imca.com and learned huge amounts, and had great craic too.
... however they are based in Yorkshire.
brill training though.

theres a few in Wales too.
www.yamaha-offroad-experience.co.uk


ps
heres a " Which Bike? " page from another website
(need a bit of time to go through it , but heaps of ideas, pointers)
www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/which-bike/

Keep us posted

[swanny99]

I would advise something like a xt600 yam or a 650 pigaso or a domi honda all are light robust cheap reasonably comfy easy75mph cruising speed and a set of knob-lies they would be light enough to handle sand and rough terrain

[zOU]

Pumuckl, on Jan 10 2010, 08:28 PM, said:

or BMW F650GS Dakar - but it's a single

the Tenere 660 is a single too (both old and newer model)

you can get both lowered

[Super10]

Navigatoroneill, on Jan 10 2010, 04:31 PM, said:

If I wanted to do a bit of a trip, say something like a bike version of Plymouth to Dakar Challenge what am I looking for in a bike?

I suppose it'd need to handle a fair amount of motorway/road miles but be able for off road (sand and whatnot) too.

Anyone done anything like this?

Also where the hell do you get some experience with this sort of carry on? Sneak down dollymount strand early in the morning?

I've a Ninja 250 and not looking to spend a whole lot on a second bike.

me, still leaning towards the KTM 640 Adv for a similar trip, Navigator.
eg., no need to add a huge petrol tank (already has one).
whats your ideas ?

just lookin at the potential problems list at:
ktm-tech/ktm-640-adv-problems-list

... seen worse

This post has been edited by Super10: 07 February 2010 - 12:00 AM

[zOU]

the new XTZ660 Tenere has a 22l tank, good for 400km

It's robust, has plenty of OEM/aftermarket accessories available.

it has proven itself on the Hero or legend rally in the hands of a woman
(see here and here)

It has been ridden through the USA both ways on trails with only a puncture, by the same woman.

There's dozens of them in the UK and it has proven the be reliable and cheap to run. (although the 1st version of several yamaha accessories was crap, this has been corrected. A defect in the R/R connector has been fixed to and it's not an issue anymore)

This post has been edited by zOU: 07 February 2010 - 11:01 AM