Bikes, but which one?

[Patar]

Looking for suggestions for good bikes for a trip round Aus, rather up through the centre and down the east coast.

Being a poor student and that not likely to change before I graduate my choices will likely be fairly limited as I'm looking for something around the 7k mark.

Here are some things I'm looking for in the bike:

- Handles the dirt good, because lets face it the black stuff gets boring every now and again.
- Can do ~300km a tank.
- Won't demolish my rear quater.
- Able to carry enough gear that I'll need for the entire trip.
- Reliable.
- And anything else I might have forgotten which is generally important.

Any suggestions and reasons why would be good, but lets try be reasonable about the prices as I won't be able to afford a brand spankin bmw or the likes.

Cheers.

[Squiggles]

DR650 or similar? with larger tank...

[fatzx10r]

zx14. may not be able to get 300km to a tank, but it will do 300kph

[Patar]

DR650 or similar? with larger tank...

Yeah, it's definitely one that I've been considering, the main problem is the small tank. Sure I can strap a billy can onto the bike, but that's just another piece of luggage I need to take with me.

The dl-650 vstrom has caught my eye and there appear to be a few decent ones floating around for not too much money.
Another option I've found is the kle500 or kl650, Any opinions?

[Rosie]

How far 'off road' are you planning on going? The V-strom and KLR650 would be well suited to gravel roads, but something like the DR would be more suitable if you want to explore goat tracks, or sand dunes.

A lot of second hand DRs in Ozzie may already have a larger tank fitted, which would solve any fuel woes.

How tall are you? Shorter folk can have limited options for gravel/dirt capable bikes.

[Patar]

I'm 180cm and medium build so height shouldn't be an issue for me.
I'm probably not looking to spend an extensive amount of time in sand dunes or anything, but they may come up from time to time.
It's likely that the majority of my time will be on either paved or gravel roads.

[chrisso]

Suzi V-Strom.....1000 or 650, not sure on price but they very popular here for touring + outback dirt.Best o luck