Suggestions appreciated for good dual bike for long road trip

[exportgoldman]

Hello Everyone,

I need some help selecting a bike, been browsing trademe for days and went and saw a few bike places today (honda in Taka, Red Baron, Suzuki) and am lost.

I will be volunteering in a tropical island for 6-12 months with 1 paved road, then going through Thailand, Vietnam, and hopefully further up to who knows where.

I want a comfortable duel purpose bike which a idiot can fix, which doesn't need a lot of servicing (the offroad bikes seem mental with servicing, every 10 hours???).

I'm in two minds either to buy a 8-9k bike with fuel injection like a Honda CRF250L or Kawasaki KLX250S or buy a older 3-4k bike and then if I have big troubles or it's stolen then it's not such a big problem as I can get another one in a push.

My ideal bike (don't laugh) is the Kawasaki Stockman 250. Built like a brick, wide comfortable seat (but may be a bit low, I like sitting tall, but have not ridden any yet as only on normal car license.)

I've looked at soft and hard luggage, etc.

Who's done some long road trips? what do people suggest for taking a bike through poorer countries?

I should also add I've push biked for years, and ridden 4000k on a scooter in the last 2 years.

[Jantar]

Seems to me that are already thinking along the right lines. Although I'm not a big fan of the 250 Stockman it is certainly the right type of bike for what you describe. Any of the Suzuki DR series, the earlier Honda XRs or the Yamaha XTs would also do fine. Maybe a bit bigger than you're after, but the KLR650 would probably be suitable as well.

In short, you want a good solid bike, carbed rather than injected, and can be maintained with a basic tool kit.

Good luck with your endevours.

[Akzle]

think also of parts availablity, which means, what do people in thailand, vietnam et al, ride.

depending on how many KMs you want to do, a TS185-250, or a ct/ctx110-250 will probably be able to be fixed by the local monkeys. with parts they stole off it in the first place.

you don't want a shiney bike. it may be better to hussle a local, pay more than it's worth for their old scooter and get around on that.

[haydes55]

Shameless plug :D

Buy me 'cos I know you want to. (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/156525-Swap-me)

:laugh:

Chuck on some dual purpose tires and you're away laughing. You'll be the most badass biker on the island :corn:

[exportgoldman]

Seems to me that are already thinking along the right lines. Although I'm not a big fan of the 250 Stockman it is certainly the right type of bike for what you describe. Any of the Suzuki DR series, the earlier Honda XRs or the Yamaha XTs would also do fine. Maybe a bit bigger than you're after, but the KLR650 would probably be suitable as well.

In short, you want a good solid bike, carbed rather than injected, and can be maintained with a basic tool kit.

Good luck with your endevours.

I think the Yamaha is a very good bike, the only one which comes with a 2 year warranty in that class. And they are expensive brand new. Found one on trademe I will have a look at, then start on deciding on some panniers :-)

Thanks for your advise. It's exciting, going to travel the world with just my bike.

[Bender]

, what do people in thailand, vietnam et al, ride.



This ^^^^

Buy what the locals buy. Remember, big rains there, much pushing.

[Reubix]

http://www.gt-rider.com/motorcycles-in-thailand/buying-motorcycle-in-thailand

This'll help :rockon:

[pete376403]

KLR650 - made in Thailand.