Thinking ahead

[Trylski]

I'm starting to think about my next bike. I'm after something good for touring. Basically I would like to know what kind of stuff I need to think about when looking for a bike. Its most likely to be the bike that the g/f and I tour europe on so obviously needs to be good for pillion plus luggage.

Would like to know what sort of things I should look for in a bike, CC, bhp, fuel capacity, etc etc.
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Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[Itchy]

Torque , a big fairing and a big fuel tank say at least 19 litres.

Torque cus you are going two up , which will help in carrying the weight and still give it reasonable performance. Which probably means all 250-400cc bikes are out of the running.

Big fuel tank cus all the extra weight of 2 up touring will affect your MPG badly , with some supersports with 14 litre tanks and thirsty engines its not a good combo. Which means that probably all modern 1000cc and 600cc sports bikes (but not sports tourers) are out of the question.

Though the flip side is that you will stop more often , and thus tour slower and see more, YMMV as I went a bit nuts last time and tended to stop twice a day tops.

Infact I had a thought already VFR750, or the pre Vtec800 , big tank lots of torque, not too fat for sporty performance takes luggage and pillions ok.

Big BMWs too like BMW man who spent 3 weeks on his GS

EDIT

YMMV however depending on how much comfort you want and how much you are willing to compromise, thus you can do what Nath did in 2004 ie Ride to Spain on a Bros 400 , which would be economical but slow (small tank low BHP) , but comfy.

You can do it even cheaper like Rick (a Rick I know) who went on his NTV600 , at 230miles for a 19.5 litre tank it was cheap but slow and he didn't get to utilise the corners you get down in France.

Or Maurice, on his back breaking NC30 , again a performer cheap on fuel but needs surgery for your back once you get back.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Trylski]

I was looking at getting an Africa twin or a Transalp 600, those any good?
____________________
Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[Itchy]

Horses for courses really, have a try , the AT is bigger and more torque with bigger tank,

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=131630
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[battleaxe]

although I ride a zzr 1400 and going to Spain on the 25/05/08 I would say get a blackbird can be picked up reasonable and a great all rounder
B-A
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It's better to say nothing and appear an idiot, than open your mouth and prove the point

[barnhatter]

I am thinking about the new BMW F800 ST.
Light, enough power for most use, tank range good enough, fairing for protection.
Must be better than my beloved Hornet, which apart from the tank works well.

[map]

If you want something more sporty then just stop messing about and get a VFR. Either the older 750 (although getting a bit long in the tooth) or the 800. If an 800 check if it's the variable valve job and if so it's had the biggie service. Otherwise all models are ok.

Your sig says current bike a 50cc so it's a bit of a stretch. I'm assuming DAS and then you might as well get what you want. Some may say get something smaller first but so long as you're sensible no real need. Just sign up for some advanced tuition first - IAM or RoSPA or one of the independent guys.

That said any bike can be made to tour, it just requires a little lateral thinking.

HTH
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Trylski]

I should poin out that I'm 16 and Im doing my A2 next year so I can't afford/don't want a bike over 750cc really as the insurance quotes start to get silly. plus the next bike is most likely to be 33bhp restricted....
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Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over

[G]

It really depends what you want to get out of your touring.

People have gone 'Round The World' on a c90 (and probably managed more extreme off-road than certain people on large BMWs ), that wouldn't really be for me; my choice for a bike that could be used for touring is a KTM690e, a relatively light-weight trail bike.

Note that insurance cost isn't directly related to cc - horse power and intention are probably closer - so a 100hp 600cc dedicated sports bike tends to have higher insurance than a 900cc sports-tourer kinda of thing.

Are you going to restrict your bike? Are you going to keep it restricted?
I think something like the BMW F650, KLR650 or DR650 are all worth a look for low powered trail style bikes that are considered good for touring. Don't let their trail-style fool you - they weigh as much as many road bikes, though can be used off ok if you've got some confidence.
If you've got the budget, The Husky TE610, BMW G650 and KTM 690e are all along similar lines to the above but with more power and less weight.

[Trylski]

It's gonna be restricted until we actually go... So for almost the full 2 years.
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Current Bike: Suzuki Bandit N600 '99,
- CBT: Passed 02/2008 - Theory : Passed 24/02/09 Test: Passed 09/03/09 - 2011 33bhp over