Adventure bike

**Jantar** · 16th September 2007, 23:12

Originally Posted by Finn

The bike will be for a motorhome. When you're parked up, it's an arse driving a 14 ton bus to go do the shopping. Also, it'll be handy to have a bike to do some day trip / exploring on. It must be able to have panniers as well.

I really like the BMW's but as Merv pointed out, if I dropped it in the middle of nowhere by myself, I might as well set it on fire, walk back and call my insurance company. Perhaps the 650 model will do the trick.

I guess I should go take some fro a ride.

It sounds like you are really after a dual purpose trail bike rather than a true adventure bike. So I would have to agree with tri boy that a DRZ 400 or similar would be what you need. Something light with plenty of grunt and built mainly for the dirt, yet still legal on the road.

An adventure bike is slightly more road oriented, but can continue on to the gravel roads, then the dirt roads; not really built for the trails.

**Fryin Finn** · 17th September 2007, 10:25

A lot of guys talk about how a heavier bike is harder to pick up. In reality a wider engined bike can be easier to pick up than a lighter single due to the sticking out cylinders providing a fulcrum at the lifting angle. Big singles have a higher center of gravity and lie flat when on the ground. Therefore a BMW 1200GS may be easier to pick up than a 650GS

**Jantar** · 17th September 2007, 10:29

Originally Posted by Fryin Finn

... Therefore a BMW 1200GS may be easier to pick up than a 650GS

But it may be a bit more difficult to mount it on the back of a motorhome.

**Finn** · 17th September 2007, 12:38

Originally Posted by Fryin Finn

A lot of guys talk about how a heavier bike is harder to pick up. In reality a wider engined bike can be easier to pick up than a lighter single due to the sticking out cylinders providing a fulcrum at the lifting angle. Big singles have a higher center of gravity and lie flat when on the ground. Therefore a BMW 1200GS may be easier to pick up than a 650GS

You can always rely on ones father for good advice. Thanks Dad.

Do you think the BMW showroom in Auckland will let me test this?

**Finn** · 17th September 2007, 12:50

Originally Posted by Jantar

But it may be a bit more difficult to mount it on the back of a motorhome.

If there's not enough room in the storage bay then I'll buy a hydraulic mount from the States. They can lift a HD Fatboy.

**merv** · 17th September 2007, 13:11

OK so keep us in the loop and tell us what you buy.

**Wolf** · 17th September 2007, 13:14

Originally Posted by Finn

If there's not enough room in the storage bay then I'll buy a hydraulic mount from the States. They can lift a HD Fatboy.

Sounds like some serious work's going into this - I'm expecting pics and a full report once it's all up and going.

All the best getting it sorted.

**pritch** · 17th September 2007, 13:35

Originally Posted by Finn

Okay, long story short... I want a good adventure/dual purpose bike for adventure and some dual purpose. Is there only one? GS1200?
What say you?

Depends exactly what you want, and how much money you can spend of course, but there are some nice enduro bikes. The lighter they are, the more use they probably are off road. Conversely the less use they will be on the road.

The KTM and Husaberg 650s might be worth a look if you were planning some roadwork.

There is also the recently released BMW range of off-road bikes (can't remember the details but there are three different models depending on what you want to do with them). They have a much sharper focus than the old Paris Dakar 650s

Give Henry at Experience BMW a ring (tell him I sent you :-)

**clint640** · 17th September 2007, 14:00

Originally Posted by pritch008

The KTM and Husaberg 650s might be worth a look if you were planning some roadwork.

The Husabergs are a bit of a race bike really, but the KTM LC4s - 640 Enduro or the dirtier 625 SXC are among the lightest & of the big thumpers with electric start & are great if you want power, reliabilty & to go hard in the dirt. They're not really built for short buggers though. The aforementioned DR650 is also a good rig & has a lower seat. DRZ400s are good too, but also tall.

The G650X BMWs are nice, with a similar focus to the KTMs but they're crazy expensive.

If I was getting something for the main purpose of carting around in a bus I'd probably look at a 250 (or 2) though. The more roadworthy 250 trailies include the Yam XT225/250, the Honda XR250 Tornado, the Suzi DRZ250 & the Kawasaki Super Sherpa.

**Wolf** · 17th September 2007, 14:38

Originally Posted by clint640

If I was getting something for the main purpose of carting around in a bus I'd probably look at a 250 (or 2) though. The more roadworthy 250 trailies include the Yam XT225/250, the Honda XR250 Tornado, the Suzi DRZ250 & the Kawasaki Super Sherpa.

I've had nothing but good service from my XT225 and I've heard a lot of good things about the others you suggest.