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Roy Gavin wrote:BMW did sell a simple and reliable carbed single - it was the Funduro, a quality bike made for them by Aprilla, and , all things being equel,this would be my choice.

Anyone considering one of the new twins, or even the injected GS single made by BMW, should go to the relevant model specific site/forum and read a few of the threads - they all have a sticky - My bike does not go and BMW DONT CARE!@!+#*

Roy , your opinion is noted .A bit lighter than the ST, same hp more or less. Does it vibrate much ?

Ross wrote:It would have to be an airhead. You want something that nay one can work on no matter where in the world you are. Suspension must be updated and improved on. Front and rear.

I would either use a highly modified R60 or again a highly modified R80.

If I was to use a Jap bike it would be a modified DRZ400 Suzuki. Simple single cylinder that would be easy to pick up in a fall.

Here's the thread on Ontic's R80g/s .It qualifies and a world trip is exactly what he has in mind .
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthre ... st17754533

Garnet wrote:There is the modern budget world traveler, the KLR. Still has a carb, comes with a huge tank, suspension travel measured in feet, and half the price of an F800. Better yet all the "Farcles" cost half to two thirds what the same brand stuff costs for a BMW.

I know I'm not supposed to consider other marques, but the KLR has the same support on the internet and are all over the world exploring backroads.

I'm finished my coffee now, so it's off to the shop to work on my conversion.

The KLR is not nearly as comfortable for cruising at highway speeds as an R-G/S, R-GS, or new 800GS, but could certainly get the job done, and leans more toward the dirt side of the equation.

MS, the type of roads to be travelled, the availability of simple stuff like tires and tubes would be a great decider for me. In Oz high speed travel is easy and comfortable, I'm sure it's the same in North America but if I were travelling say, overland from Australia to the UK the roads would be poor, potholed and congested .Parts and parts supply would be slow and finding competent mechanics, hard .

If I did that trip ( my most likely one ) I'd choose a XT 250 Yamaha. Small, light and economical. BMW doesn't make anything suitable for my needs.

Before you consider the lower priced Jap singles you should ride one - they are crude, agricultural, gutless,vibratory and built with with one goal in mind - low price.

I have a Yamaha XT 600E, a RTW favorite, and apart from lowish weight , good fuel consumption and reputed reliability it doesnt have much going for it. I prefer Nicoles Royal Enfield Bullet, power is about the same, motor is smoother and it handles and brakes better.

Cant understand the folks who put XT forks on their G/S, as my G/S forks are better than the XT ones.

The gulf between the XT and and the Pegaso/ Funduro and ,reliability apart, the F650GS, is bigger than the difference in price - the Rotax motor is streets ahead of any Jap single I have tried and the suspension/ handling is just a different class.

The only thing that would put me off a G/S or GS for a solo RTW is the weight, but if you are riding with company or are a bit younger and fitter than me that becomes less important.

Roy , I'm 62 and fit but also 72 kg so weight is important. I rode Japanese singles , XL250,TE185,XL350,XT500 for years as my roads were all dirt and light and flickable were primary requirements. You're right about the agricultural side of things but we are talking world trip bikes, not Oz highway riding . I've travelled in India and the Japanese singles would suit their roads perfectly and I can't imagine Pakistan's or Vietnam's roads being much better of less crowded.

My ST is set up well for Australia but she would be too big and heavy for me to throw around on some of the roads I've seen, especially with a travelling load aboard. I've owned an Enfield and loved it but I didn't trust it's reliability to go too far from home .

Roy Gavin wrote:Before you consider the lower priced Jap singles you should ride one - they are crude, agricultural, gutless,vibratory and built with with one goal in mind - low price.

I have a Yamaha XT 600E, a RTW favorite, and apart from lowish weight , good fuel consumption and reputed reliability it doesnt have much going for it. I prefer Nicoles Royal Enfield Bullet, power is about the same, motor is smoother and it handles and brakes better.

Here's mine.I guess all I need is a bigger tank.

Mine has the big Acerbis tank , but as it is a ex Oz army bike it it a horrible colour, " fresh cow pat" is probably close.

Dont have a camera, but there are a few threads / photographs on Ex army bikes on the Oz regional forum at ADV Riders if you dont know what a fresh cow pat looks like---.

Adelaide seems to be where the Army sell those.

Roy Gavin wrote:Mine has the big Acerbis tank , but as it is a ex Oz army bike it it a horrible colour, " fresh cow pat" is probably close.

Dont have a camera, but there are a few threads / photographs on Ex army bikes on the Oz regional forum if you dont know what a fresh cow pat looks like---.

If I cold buy a new one, I would. These bike are very rare in Canada. I doubt you can find an easier bike to maintain.