Your order of importance for hypothetical adventure motorcycle....

XT600/660, upgraded suspension, bigger tank, soft luggage, decent rack for a roll bag

Agreed, that's what I have at the back of the garage for relevant trips. It has upgraded suspension, Acerbis tank, luggage rack, replacement bars, new sump guard made by the local blacksmith, wee box on the back with a power lead to charge stuff, an old screen which keeps the worst off but easy to remove. And a sheepskin for the seat, soft Magadan panniers and camping kit. Old, basic, solid, simple. Does me and in the middle of nowhere simple and not too heavy is good.

Edit to add, the screen was free from a lad on here who went to Canada some years ago, he was clearing out his garage a nd I took the screen. Lumberjack or something similar?
 

Attachments

  • DSC_1271.jpg
    DSC_1271.jpg
    260.3 KB · Views: 117
  • DSC_1298.jpg
    DSC_1298.jpg
    237.2 KB · Views: 116
Economical enough to allow a small tank but still have good range.

Absolutely, I think an economical engine is a better way to achieve good range, than carrying lots of fuel.

If it was my money I'd be after a 2nd hand* CB500X and then add some Rally Raid bits.

* I know the question references new bikes... even hypothetically I can't bring myself to buy new! I'd be off RTW for about £6k...
 
Well I started on a Royal Enfield 500 Bullet, got as far as Thailand before realising it wasn't going to make it around the world. Then went for the GSA 1150, got it shipped out from the UK, beast of a bike, great for munching miles and corrugations but then opted to swop it in Australia for a XT660R for the benefits of riding off road. No regrets on any, as when you're on the road nothing stands in your way of finishing off a days riding with a smile on your face.

No matter what you ride or where you ride, you'll have a great time. Don't worry about what shit you need or don't need, get out and hit the road as soon as you can or suits you, as you never know when your time is up.

Don't worry about riding with a group or on your tod, as with the latter you'll have a better experience with getting to know the locals.

The money you save on buying a flash new shiny motorcycle would be better spent staying out on the road, if it's an old nail you buy then you'll get to know the locals even better. your carnet would be cheaper, the bike would be less prone of getting stolen and if it did it's less money you've lost and if you do choose to insure it, that would be cheaper too.

Amen to all of that :okay
 
* I know the question references new bikes... even hypothetically I can't bring myself to buy new! I'd be off RTW for about £6k...

With a bike for this purpose, far better with a 'just run in' nearly new (0-3yrs old) and spend the cash saved on the few upgrades. We seem blinded by numbers/flash/size in the West....and really should look at what others around the globe go about their daily business on.....small stuff
 
New or second hand doesn't really make any difference unless you want a bike that's no longer available. Either option, you can still modify it into what you require and I'd have thought that you want to put some decent home miles on it to find out what that is.
 


Back
Top Bottom