650 or bigger for America's Trip ?

[BaldBaBoon]

Hello all

New member and all that,so im looking for some opinions and advice from these seasoned and hallowed forums on the kind of bike to start looking for.

The Trip

Starting next spring,im intending to spend 6 months or more on a lazy,meandering tour of Canada,Alaska,North America....its a long overdue,self promised holiday,as well as meeting people out there with the veiw to emmigrating to start a new life ( im not on the run,just a hard working,law abiding chappy..sick of seeing all his 100 hour a week earnings disappearing in tax/N.I. etc etc )

There's no time table or route to stick to,the destinations are just as the mood takes me,so im not sure if i really require a large or small engine for the task.

Off-road riding will probally not be a huge part of the trip unless i get lost/want to visit the set of " The hills have Eyes " plus i have had enough of driving into tree's and ditche's in pitch darkness from my old profession.

Luggage

Ive learnt from experience from various long travels, to take along only the items i need rather than strapping the kitchen sink to the bike,so in theory i shouldnt need shed-loads of carry space.

Rider

Think of a shorter Ross Kemp....a man mountain cursed by short ( i prefer the term compact ) legs.....a shaved Orang-utang....that is my general physical build.(Im 5 foot 7 inches...inside leg 29 inches.....52 inch chest....ok i will stop there,unless i get some over excited PM )

Previous Bikes that fit me fine have been Bandit 1200,Tl 1000 s,

Money

I'd love to buy a brand new bike,but considering the mileages involved it would be an utter shame and waste to do so...so im limiting myself to a budget of no higher than £4500....this will hopefully keep me to an older,reliable bike.....cosmetics are not a concern,not bothered about what colour the bike is,just the mechanical condition and useful extras fitted.
So if you could spare the time to share some thoughts with what you think,that would be great.

Cheers Andy

 

[Micky]

Hi Andy

The sixfifty GS will be more than up to your trip, and a good one should be able to be bought within your budget. We travelled for almost six months, 19,300 miles, 23 countries on the 650's.

Enjoy

www.adventure.gs

 

[f650gary]

hi andy,

I'm a taller,5'9, heavier, 16st, Ross Kemp and have found the 650 good for 300miles in a day. I own a 650gs with a Dakar saddle and screen added which I am led to believe increase the comfort.

With top box fitted there is enough room for two roll bags on the saddle before even considering panniers, and no real noticable drop in performance.
The 650 is a guttsey little b****r!

Wishing you all the best for your trip, deeply jealous!!

 

[Pondboy]

If you have not got a pillion, an F650 will be a great bike to do the trip on. Easy to ride, handles brilliantly, good mpg. All in all, everything you could want.

A very jealous PB

 

[janner]

Hi.

I am an x Brit living in Texas...just north of San Antonio, the area is known as the gateway to the hill country..a very popular place for bikers.....(it sort of reminds me of a less populated version of the Lake District, but much bigger and hotter!)

4500 quid is almost $8500.......you could purchase a new 650 from a dealer for that..though beware of the advertised price and the drive away price, as the latter is usualy loaded with tax and other fees.

There are some good used bikes around to be had.
I recently purchased my used '06 650 for $7,900...had 900 miles on the clock.
Maybe by the time you come over I may be ready to sell mine on

If your in Texas give me a call and I can show you the area...on bikes of course ...