Perfect Tourer ?

[Chillum]

First off, hello everyone. I'm currently a Fazer 600 owner, and I'm thinking of trading in and getting one of these 'ere beemer things, since I've heard they're quite good.

My question (which I know there are a lot of answers for) is this : I'm going to be travelling all over the world, through countries in Europe, Africa and America. Trouble is, I don't know which flavour beemer would suit this kind of life. Two months of the year I need a bike that will take me anywhere, with maximum comfort, durability and, of course, fun.

Also, is there a consensus on the best type of kit to take on these kind of journeys ? I'm obviously going to have to find out for myself which stuff I take is useful and which would get left behind next time, but I'd sort of like to put a decent list together that will allow me to stay alive for as long as possible if I get into bother (GPS stuff, satellite phone etc.)

Any links to good travelogue sites etc gratefully received

 

[Jon]

Any links to good travelogue sites etc gratefully received

http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com/

http://www.overland-solutions.com/

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com

to name but 3................

Buy the "Adventure Motocycling Handbook" by Chris Scott from the first website if you want a flavour of things & hints & tips - it's a good start.

No doubt everyone else will chip in too.

 

[Ben]

If I can help in any way let me know, especially in the Africa department. Iv'e ridden North to South Africa, then East to West and might be able to help. My best suggestions would refer to the least travelled areas such as the Sudan, areas you may not wish to go near.

If there was one firm piece of advice that you may feel free to ignore (many would), the GS is not the ideal off road bike! All the really experienced Africa hands that Iv'e rubbed shoulders with would happily drool over one but substitute it for something light and powerful when the tarmac disappears. 250 cc is quite common, but not very macho, I'll agree.

It's a great idea, the GS, but its not built for rutted roads, deep Congolese mud, or sand. Just think of trying to pick it up , fully loaded several times per hour. There's nothing Touratech can dress it in that will change that!

Having said this, your travels may not include much of this kind of terrain. The GS would be ideal if this was the case. Good luck.

Ben

 

[Chillum]

Having said this, your travels may not include much of this kind of terrain. The GS would be ideal if this was the case. Good luck.

Ben

Thanks for the info peeps. I must admit, I don't really want to go off-road, I just don't think I have enough experience yet to man handle bike about, although I would like to ensure that if there was a stretch of road that was a bit rough, that the bike could handle it (as well as me).

Good point about picking the bike up. I heard a story about a guy who went through part of the Sahara, and because the dunes were so large at one point he had to take all the stuff off the bike, haul it up the dune, then go back and ride the bike up Not sure I'm up for that yet.

My other option was to go for something like Honda's Africa Twin, but if I can get away with staying on reasonable roads I think I would prefer the GS just for it's carrying capacity and power as much as anything.

 

[richie]

You don't have to go off road to tour the world. If you do you probably want an XR or similar. However I think that the RTW experience would be good on a GS as long as you stuck to tarmac or hard tracks. A good site which is easy to read but not to much in depth info about technical stuff is one of the members www.gooseontheloose.com two up from England to OZ via africa.
also worth a read is www.micapeak.com for good info on the GS bikes