Bigtwin
Guest
Aurelius said:
Suggested Bike for a 6 month America/Canada trip?
- Thread starter BaldBaBoon
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Aurelius
Registered user
Bigtwin said:Aurelius said:
Charging system failures are the single most talked about problem on VFR owners forums:
http://www.yft.org/tex_vfr/tech/rr-maintenance.htm
Honda has consistently denied knowledge of the problem, but that claim in belied by constant changes to the rec/reg design - sometimes in the same model year. There's a company in Europe (Electrex) which sells aftermarket charging system components for a wide variety of motorcycles. According to their database, the number of reported charging system failures on Honda VFR's exceeds that of any other motorcycle.
Don't under-estimate how big and varied North America is. Get an atlas. Look at the size of Great Britain. Now overlay that on one of our medium sized states like Idaho. Not only would I suggest you bias your choice to something easy to maintain, but also comfortable for you to spend hours and hours on. Don't count on your mobile phone having coverage, especially west of the Mississippi River.
I wouldn't be too concerned about not finding a dealer, especially when evaluating BMW's. Americans pride themselves on being inventive and adaptable, someone can fix your scooter if it breaks. Join the BMW Owners Association http://bmwmoa.org/index.html just to get the Anonymous Book, an invaluable list of BMW folk in U.S. and Canada who are willing to lend a helping hand or sympathetic ear.
In my informal observation of what you see on the touring road, full bagger Harleys and Wings are probably most common. Getting up towards Alaska dual sports like GS's are more prevalent. If things works out, in a couple of weeks I'm going to ride to all 48 states, I'll probably leave the GS at home and ride my K12LT to take advantage of better weather protection, gas mileage and range, and creature comforts.
I wouldn't be too concerned about not finding a dealer, especially when evaluating BMW's. Americans pride themselves on being inventive and adaptable, someone can fix your scooter if it breaks. Join the BMW Owners Association http://bmwmoa.org/index.html just to get the Anonymous Book, an invaluable list of BMW folk in U.S. and Canada who are willing to lend a helping hand or sympathetic ear.
In my informal observation of what you see on the touring road, full bagger Harleys and Wings are probably most common. Getting up towards Alaska dual sports like GS's are more prevalent. If things works out, in a couple of weeks I'm going to ride to all 48 states, I'll probably leave the GS at home and ride my K12LT to take advantage of better weather protection, gas mileage and range, and creature comforts.
Sikorsky
Guest
Aurelius said:
If you want to see the whole of Canada don't get a pavement only machine. If you want a worry free ride (try pulling into a dealer to get that Africa Twin or '95 TransAlp serviced) get something that was sold over here. The KLR will carry you all over the continent at mildly illegal speeds, be invisible to the cops, carry you twice as far on a tank of fuel, and get you into corners a Viffer couldn't dream of reaching. Also the KLR is half the price of the VFR making it very appealing. Frees up more money to spend on good Canadian beer before you are forced to drink the yellow colored fizzy water south of the border.
Flat tires happen, at least with a tubed tire you don't need to replace the entire tire at the next stop. A quick patch or new tube and you are on your way. Just get a lesson in tire repair before you leave home and you are good to go.
Upgrades for the KLR are cheap and plentiful. $200US gets a better front brake (although I never had a problem with mine, remember you aren't on an R-1). $100US puts a better windshield on it. $130US puts a gel seat onboard.
Or leave it stock as a rock and enjoy the journey.
Tasy's BIGJIM
Registered user
Travel on what Bike?
Sounds like to me you certainly have a lot of advice? Seems only fair to add another! Go to place of Travel, look around? What are the locals riding, thats riding by the way! Canada? Not F trucks? No really they do know what can get serviced, parts availability etc. Look I own a Gs yeah. But the nicest bike I ever remember touring on was an Susuki GT 380! Dog of a Bike? It was mine and piont old mate? I was bloodywell doing it! Loving it too. Go enjoy it on what ever? But enjoy. My traveling Tip "They have shops yu know"? BigJim. Tasmania.
Sounds like to me you certainly have a lot of advice? Seems only fair to add another! Go to place of Travel, look around? What are the locals riding, thats riding by the way! Canada? Not F trucks? No really they do know what can get serviced, parts availability etc. Look I own a Gs yeah. But the nicest bike I ever remember touring on was an Susuki GT 380! Dog of a Bike? It was mine and piont old mate? I was bloodywell doing it! Loving it too. Go enjoy it on what ever? But enjoy. My traveling Tip "They have shops yu know"? BigJim. Tasmania.
Andy,
I did a 3mth NW USA, SW and Mid West trip in '04 . I bought and subsequently sold an 1100GS. I nearly went for a 650GS but was glad I didnt because I did value the extra comfort and cruising ability of the 11.
Buy a good secondhand bike that someone has already kitted out for touring and you will save a few bob. Mind had panniers, extended luggage rack which was perfect for my Ortleib, MRA touring screen and legshields, Corbin seat etc. It had recently had a service and brand new hoops.
The bike was great , I had no problems getting them fixed when I had a issue with the brakes and I covered 10,000 miles and then sold it as it was; i.e. needing a bloody good service,a thorugh valet and a new set of tyres. I lost just under $2000. BARGAIN.
Have a great trip!!
Ian
I did a 3mth NW USA, SW and Mid West trip in '04 . I bought and subsequently sold an 1100GS. I nearly went for a 650GS but was glad I didnt because I did value the extra comfort and cruising ability of the 11.
Buy a good secondhand bike that someone has already kitted out for touring and you will save a few bob. Mind had panniers, extended luggage rack which was perfect for my Ortleib, MRA touring screen and legshields, Corbin seat etc. It had recently had a service and brand new hoops.
The bike was great , I had no problems getting them fixed when I had a issue with the brakes and I covered 10,000 miles and then sold it as it was; i.e. needing a bloody good service,a thorugh valet and a new set of tyres. I lost just under $2000. BARGAIN.
Have a great trip!!
Ian
Earache
Guest
I store my UK friend's 1150 GS here for use during his trips to the USA. He just left for the UK after a 4 week ride to the southwest.
Anyway, the bike is a 2002 model with a few mods and around 13,000 miles. I think he'd sell it as he has his eye on a new 1200GS
Let me know if you're interested at all.
Eric
Indianapolis, Indiana
Anyway, the bike is a 2002 model with a few mods and around 13,000 miles. I think he'd sell it as he has his eye on a new 1200GS
Let me know if you're interested at all.
Eric
Indianapolis, Indiana
Earache
Guest
North said:Without question the right bike is the Honda Ruckus.
Good on gas and cheap to buy.
Don't be silly. This is the USA, he wants a BIG Ruckus...
http://powersports.honda.com/scooters/model.asp?ModelName=Big Ruckus&ModelYear=2006&ModelId=PS2506
Eric
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