big singles

[hmmmnz]

hi there im am currently looking for a big enduro for a mission accross europe and down into asia. mabee 10000 to 20000 miles
i was looking for a africa twin but they seem quite hard to come by, i was just wondering how the big singles would handle large distances like that. any recomendations, was looking at aprillas but parts is the thing i would be worried about,
im wanting something around the 650cc or larger size
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[colin1]

bmw f650 is popular for this sort of thing
____________________
colin1 is officially faster than god

[stinkwheel]

Big singles will do it. A mate of mine toured Europe (all of it, from the Kola Peninsula to Croatia!) on an XT600. Another mate 'did' Australia on a KLR650.

That said, top speed and ability to sit on motorways in comfort is limited.

I reckon you were on the right lines with a multi cylinder enduro bike. They tend to be comfier, faster and will sit at motorway speeds without excessive vibration. I had an MZ660 street moto and I reckon you'd soon get sick of it doing long distances

Africa twin would be ideal. Also consider something like the Triumph tiger. I'd suggest a KLE500 like mine if the tank range wasn't so pathetic. The transalp is a twin as is the XTZ750 super tenere, don't know much about them though.

If you are looking for a big single, the XTZ660 motor is well thought of and they did a model of the KLR650 called a 'Tengi' which has a huge petrol tank and some bodywork to keep the wind off. As colin1 said, the BMW is an exception to the normal rules, struggles on the top speed front but comfy to ride and carries all the luggage you could possibly want.

[hmmmnz]

i wanted to stay away from beamers as parts are stupidly expensive, and there is just too many bells and whistles to go wrong with them,
ok a big twin, looks like its gunna be a tough search to get one cheaply,
cheers for the replys
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[stinkwheel]

[hmmmnz]

what about in the back blocks of asia?? initial out lay is something as well
as ill be leaving it on the side of the road when i get to singapore area and catch a flight back to nz from there,
ill look into them as well, but im not convinced
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[stinkwheel]

Initial outlay is always an issue.

To be honest, if you're going to be taking it through bumfuck nowhere, a BMW is probably even better plan. They're designed for hardcore touring, pish roads etc whereas a lot of Japanese bikes are more of a toy than anything.

The owners handbook on an F650 lists different oil viscosities for a range of temperatures, carb setups for running at altitude and service intervals for operating in desert conditions. That says a lot.

I think if I was going to tour right the way to Singapore overland, I'd want either an Africa twin or a BMW trailie (either a single or a twin). That or an MZ 2-stroke on the basis that they are easily fixed, very simple and commonplace throughtout all the communist block countries. An old MZ can be bodged up at a basic backstreet garage and you could carry enough essential spares to repair almost anything.

At an outside, I'd consider a KLR650, with some modifications such as a kickstart

[G]

My KLR was quite capable on motorways. Could just touch a ton and was fine cruising at 80; though you do get a bit of wind blast.

Mine was quite heavy, but if you go for the 'A' model, they're a fair bit lighter with a big tank as well I think - so should be able to handle bumpy stuff a bit better as well.

[stinkwheel]

Here's a LINK to how my mate took a KLR650 from looking like this:
https://www.saddletrampsforums.co.uk/Tramps/images/Bikes/KLR/tn_New%20bike.jpg

To looking like this:
https://www.saddletrampsforums.co.uk/Tramps/images/Bikes/KLR/tn_KLR%20left%20side.JPG

[Zimbo]

The BMW F650 is fairly inexpensive to buy, you can buy a used one for just over a grand. It uses the Rotax engine, well proven and reliable.
Parts are not expensive - just like Ducati, they're precieved as a premium brand and prople expect bits to cost, in fact they're cheaper than jap spares.
What bells and whisles go wrong on them then? They're not over complicated.

[hmmmnz]

ok i didnt realise it was running a rotax engine, alot of the big supermotos are running on them, what do you guys think about the apprilla pegasso 650, i was told it was running the same engine as the bmw, but im not entirely sure, and again with parts in the woops
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[hmmmnz]

abs brakes, obviously the older ones didnt have that though
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[Nath]

[hmmmnz]

hadn't even thought about the import duty thing, ill look into that, was more worried about getting a bike that will handle the mission first.
i expect a fair part of the mission off road, basically once i leave europe so mabee atleast 50% off road
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches