Is a 650 Bandit up to this trip ??

[SuziCat]

Hi All,

What do you think ??

Starting off at Buenos Aires and then riding down to Tierra del Fuego before travelling all the way up to Alaska and then to New York. Taking just over 2 months altogether.

Most of the trip is on reasonable roads but there will be a little bit of bads roads thrown in. My Bandit is a 2006 model (air cooled) and has been pretty reliable. But will it be robust enough for this trip bearing in mind that most of South America doesn't seem to market Suzukis (including Argentina), so if anything happened I'd have trouble getting spares.
I'll most likely take clutch, brake lever and the rear brake lever too - just in case. Would you take spare fork seals
I'll need to get a softer seat as the standard Suzuki seat is rock hard and not very comfy.
I might have been tempted to get an XT660 but they are too tall for me and don't think I want to take step ladders along on the trip.

Anyway if anyone has opinions/suggestions on using the Bandit for this trip, I'd love to hear them

Many thanks
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Regular Rides:- BMW R1200R, Triumph Street Triple
Summer Toys:- Yam Virago 1100, Suzuki GS750 (1979)

[G]

Yes, should be fine.

I've always thought the XT is a silly bike; underpowered and over weight. Can't see why to choose one over other bikes.

If you're worried about parts, get some details of people that will send out parts by international courier for a reasonable price.

[Clanger]

I met a man travelling through Cambodia on a CBR600 when I was on my RTW trip a few years ago, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind me sharing his email addy with you...I'm sure he'll be able to give you some useful pointers - contact me (edit: due to G's comment)
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[G]

He might not mind sharing it, but it's good practice not to post it on a public forum, especially one popular with google that is no doubt regularly crawling with spiders!

[Al]

Sjaak Lucassen is that guy that rode round the world on an R1 he realeased a DVD about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThO-w9SCM8I
Bit of a legend really
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[SuziCat]

Thanks guys.

Those R1's are pretty impressive.
My trip is going to be with Nick Sanders (all being well) and I'm planning to go in 2011. After seeing Sjaak and Nick on their R1's I think my Bandit should be OK.
It's a good old plodder and has been totally reliable so far.
Just need to get saving now )
____________________
Regular Rides:- BMW R1200R, Triumph Street Triple
Summer Toys:- Yam Virago 1100, Suzuki GS750 (1979)

[Clanger]