im looking to take a cross country trip and a dual sport motorcycle. what is the...
Definitely agree with Bob - the BMW GS bikes have been tried and tested on- and off-road and easily achieve 6-figure mileage if you do the maintenance.
However considering the amount of stuff it sounds like you're taking, I'd look at the BMW R-GS series (R1100gs, R1150gs, R1200gs). It has been refined and improved over the years but has also grown more expensive. The F650 is easier to handle off-road because it's smaller and lighter, but it sounds as though you'll be mainly on the highway where the bigger machine will be more comfortable and actually safer (it's a very 'visible' bike with huge road presence).
Check out the link below for like-minded adventurers and their advice
Have an amazing trip!
However considering the amount of stuff it sounds like you're taking, I'd look at the BMW R-GS series (R1100gs, R1150gs, R1200gs). It has been refined and improved over the years but has also grown more expensive. The F650 is easier to handle off-road because it's smaller and lighter, but it sounds as though you'll be mainly on the highway where the bigger machine will be more comfortable and actually safer (it's a very 'visible' bike with huge road presence).
Check out the link below for like-minded adventurers and their advice
Have an amazing trip!OK, to start... Big single cylinder engines like the Kawasaki KLR 650, the BMW F650 GS and the Suzuki V-Strom 650 will buzz you to death over a long days ride.You still want to be able to feel your hands and your backside at the end of the day. A twin cylinder engine is much smoother running, and the vibration much less than any of the single cylinder 650s.
I love my big touring BMW, but for the kind of riding you want to do, I'd take a close look at a Suzuki V-Strom 1000. It's lighter, less expensive to buy and maintain, and there is a large selection of accessories available to outfit your bike for the way you want to ride and tour.
I love my big touring BMW, but for the kind of riding you want to do, I'd take a close look at a Suzuki V-Strom 1000. It's lighter, less expensive to buy and maintain, and there is a large selection of accessories available to outfit your bike for the way you want to ride and tour.
BobA
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- May 13, 2008
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A BMW GS 650 Reliable trouble free and comfortable.Abuddy oy mine road one from BC Canada to Brazil a couple of years ago and had a great time.
Given your size and weight, I think you'll find the kawasaki KLR650 is your better choice.
The BMW GS series have a huge reputation, but they really only work as street bikes, even the 650GS isn't as good as the KLR when the road ends and you're still several miles from your day's campground. If you're going to do all your riding on graded roads a GS will be fine, heck you could even use a regular street bike, but if your riding will include any gnarly stuff, the KLR is a better choice. It is more comforatble than a 650GS (though less than a 1250GS), cheaper, has a huge aftermarket catalog, and is tough as nails.
Btw, in 30 years of riding, the only bike I've owned which left me completely stranded a long way from home was my R100GS when it sheared a transmission shaft. Big repair bill... I'm definitely one of those who think BM's reputation is exaggerated...
The BMW GS series have a huge reputation, but they really only work as street bikes, even the 650GS isn't as good as the KLR when the road ends and you're still several miles from your day's campground. If you're going to do all your riding on graded roads a GS will be fine, heck you could even use a regular street bike, but if your riding will include any gnarly stuff, the KLR is a better choice. It is more comforatble than a 650GS (though less than a 1250GS), cheaper, has a huge aftermarket catalog, and is tough as nails.
Btw, in 30 years of riding, the only bike I've owned which left me completely stranded a long way from home was my R100GS when it sheared a transmission shaft. Big repair bill... I'm definitely one of those who think BM's reputation is exaggerated...
guardrailjim
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- Jun 25, 2008
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Kawasaki KLR650
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"... Big single cylinder engines like the Kawasaki KLR 650, the BMW F650 GS and the Suzuki V-Strom 650 will buzz you to death over a long days ride..."
I have to disagree here -- I have a LS650, Savage, a Big Single; and I have done back to back 500+ mile days. "Buzz" is not a problem. I was buzzed numb with my little twin, the big single is more of a massage vibrator.
I have to disagree here -- I have a LS650, Savage, a Big Single; and I have done back to back 500+ mile days. "Buzz" is not a problem. I was buzzed numb with my little twin, the big single is more of a massage vibrator.
BusterBrown
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- Jul 23, 2009
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The short answer: KLR650
There is no "best" bike for a cross-country trip. The details of where you plan to ride will militate in favor of one bike over another. How much off-road do you plan to do? all unpaved, as on the Trans-America trail, or a mix of paved highway and unpaved exploration? How gnarly do you care to go? How much time do you have?
By the same token, your choice of bike will dictate to some extent the kind of trip you can take. The bikes suggested by others are all worthy candidates, depending on your pocketbook and the kind of trip you envision. Other possibilities as yet unmentioned are the Suzuki DR650, the KTM 640/690 singles and 950/990 twins, the BMW F800GS, and the venerable R100GS boxer.
The more highway you want to ride, the better the twins will serve you. Conversely, the worse roads and trails will favor a single, the lighter the better. The more gear you carry, the more you will be limited to better roads and bigger bikes. OTOH, if you plan to spend a bit of time in interesting areas, you can always make camp for a few days and explore on an unladen bike.
There are a lot of other variables to consider, but on balance, unless I misread your view of the trip, your best choice will be a 650-class bike. I like the DR650 best, but since you want to carry a lot of gear, that means the F650 or the KLR. The F650 is the bike that first got me interested in dual sports, but I never really liked it well enough to want to buy one. It is pretty good on the highway, and the fuel injected engine gets great mileage. The KLR is quite a bit cheaper, not bad on the highway, and has a ton of available accessories..
There is vibration on a modern counterbalanced single, but it is nothing that should prevent you from putting in a full day. My KLR is at least as smooth as my boxer twins, and the DR650 is smoother still.
The V-Stroms (both are v-twins, BTW), are nice bikes, and are ok on groomed gravel roads, but as road condition deteriorates, they have to slow way, way down, even more so than the boxer GSes.
There is no "best" bike for a cross-country trip. The details of where you plan to ride will militate in favor of one bike over another. How much off-road do you plan to do? all unpaved, as on the Trans-America trail, or a mix of paved highway and unpaved exploration? How gnarly do you care to go? How much time do you have?
By the same token, your choice of bike will dictate to some extent the kind of trip you can take. The bikes suggested by others are all worthy candidates, depending on your pocketbook and the kind of trip you envision. Other possibilities as yet unmentioned are the Suzuki DR650, the KTM 640/690 singles and 950/990 twins, the BMW F800GS, and the venerable R100GS boxer.
The more highway you want to ride, the better the twins will serve you. Conversely, the worse roads and trails will favor a single, the lighter the better. The more gear you carry, the more you will be limited to better roads and bigger bikes. OTOH, if you plan to spend a bit of time in interesting areas, you can always make camp for a few days and explore on an unladen bike.
There are a lot of other variables to consider, but on balance, unless I misread your view of the trip, your best choice will be a 650-class bike. I like the DR650 best, but since you want to carry a lot of gear, that means the F650 or the KLR. The F650 is the bike that first got me interested in dual sports, but I never really liked it well enough to want to buy one. It is pretty good on the highway, and the fuel injected engine gets great mileage. The KLR is quite a bit cheaper, not bad on the highway, and has a ton of available accessories..
There is vibration on a modern counterbalanced single, but it is nothing that should prevent you from putting in a full day. My KLR is at least as smooth as my boxer twins, and the DR650 is smoother still.
The V-Stroms (both are v-twins, BTW), are nice bikes, and are ok on groomed gravel roads, but as road condition deteriorates, they have to slow way, way down, even more so than the boxer GSes.
I agree with Bob too. My riding buddy rides this bike and gets about 15MPG more than I do on 650 VStar and I get 50MPG! His expandable hard bags hold a ton of stuff too. We camp for a week at a time and he has everything he needs except fresh food.
He is about the same size as you and does have a little trouble getting on the bike sometimes but no problems at a stop light.
There is forum on this bike, I think it's called the "chain gang".
He is about the same size as you and does have a little trouble getting on the bike sometimes but no problems at a stop light.
There is forum on this bike, I think it's called the "chain gang".