Non Gs big enduro's

BigyellowGS

BigyellowGS

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Okay.. I'm thinking of buying a big old school enduro to run alongside my bitza R80g/s... something like a 900 Tiger, DR800 Big, Africa Twin etc...

I have some knowledge of the Africa twin & Triumph.. But know little about the DR's..

I've going to have a max of 3k to spend.. Any thoughts and advice would be appriciated!

It's not that I've dismissed the 1100/1150GS's but after looking at some of the Gs's available locally for 3k I'm thinking the bikes at that price are all a bit rough... Or maybe I've just seen some real dogs!
 
Maybe just a bit small for you but a Honda Transalp... The Suzuki DR Big is just far to heavy (on par with a Harley), look great though but all rough.

What about an Aprillia Caponord if you want something bigger, great used buy:thumb2
 
Depends what you want to use the bike for but fif you're looking to tour, two up, in comfort then have a look at a Varadero. You'll likely get an early fuel injected model for £3k.
 
You could get a clean F650GS/Dakar single for that money - I did about 14,000 miles on mine including two up touring. A remarkably capable bike in a understated way that's pretty much bullet proof :thumb2
 
DR800 Dr Bigs are awesome, and good offroad with a few suspension tweaks. Not too heavy at all. My GS weighs ALOT more but i have no issues with taking it through thick mud? DR big is much lighter.

Only problem with them was with people treating them poorly and killing the engines off, its a large single and transmits alot of force through the conrod!

Caponord - Brilliant bike... id happilly trade my 1150 for one! Not so hot on the offroad though, engines a bit powerful for it, the suspension cant transmit the power to the mud very well. I know - ive had one! If you can find the desert version it had slightly longer travel forks and shock and slightly different fairing panels. - a cool bike.

varadero... DRINKS fuel! its as heavy as a gs and covered in plastic thats easy to break offroad. Not the best.

Gimme your 3k and you can have my GSA!!!
 
vilguy said:
varadero... DRINKS fuel! its as heavy as a gs and covered in plastic thats easy to break offroad. Not the best.
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Carb versions were thirsty but FI puts mine on a par with my old R1150GS. The weight and size makes it an ideal bike to tour on, two up and fully loaded. Very comfortable, good weather protection and the build quality and dealer back up is everything it's cracked up to be :thumb2

Crash bars are available to help with some gentle off road but it's horses for courses really as those easily damaged plastics prove to be better suited to keeping the rain off on those long road trips. I never took my GS off road either :D

After looking at the 'softer' alternatives to a GS last year I'd rank them as follows:

Varadero
V-Strom
Caponord

But that's just me :rob
 
vilguy "Gimme your 3k and you can have my GSA!!! "
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I take it you are joking? :P

Anyway.. I am starting to be drawn to the idea of an Africa Twin.. Seen a few nice ones for about 2k.. with about 20k on the clock.. does anyone know what kind of Mpg these do.. And also what kind of milage the bikes cope with before they go pop?

:D J
 
Africa Twin beacuse they're cool

But if you want a big enduro? - With a bit of hunting you may find a 650XC below £3000


Q: To the forum - Is 'Bigyellow' the new Snoopy ? :-)
 
BigyellowGS said:
I take it you are joking? :P

Anyway.. I am starting to be drawn to the idea of an Africa Twin.. Seen a few nice ones for about 2k.. with about 20k on the clock.. does anyone know what kind of Mpg these do.. And also what kind of milage the bikes cope with before they go pop?

:D J
Click to expand...


am i?!

3k could get me a nice caponord :) or a futura again... mmmm futura... :kissy2
 
Wreford Miles - Q: To the forum - Is 'Bigyellow' the new Snoopy ? :-)
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Okay... who's snoopy and why am I like him?

I'm going to guess it has something to do with the number of bikes I run though? or my lack of decision making ability?

On both subjects.. yup.. thats me..

I spend my working life making hundreds of planning decisions each week, outside work.. no idea.

And bikes.. for pitty sake don't ever ask me to list the ones I've owned in the last 13 years.. I don't have the time and you don't want to read that list!

:D
 
Have you rode one though? They are fecking heavy - heavier than a 1150.
 
AC1200 said:
Have you rode one though? They are fecking heavy - heavier than a 1150.
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If you're referring to the Africa Twin then with due respect you're talking bollox, I ride both an 1150 and an AT almost every day.:confused:
 
Maybe the one I rode in Moroc had a full tank, and it was luggaged up. It was difficult just pushing it out the garage. My first impression was it being a heavy bike.
 
Large lumbering creature.. its an elefant!

Oh god.. Temptation is a pain in the bank!

A mate decided its time to part company with the Cagiva Elefant 750 which he has had for over 10 years.. It's in the lucky explorer special addition colour scheme and has 20k on the clock... Full history etc..

I've known him and the bike all those years... I'm now skint (my car exploding the other day took half my savings and this bike took the rest).

Anyone got any advice on owning a pachyderm?

When I get her home I'll post some pics...

:D
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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