Would you ride the SE around the world?

[Misery Goat]

throw a Safari tank on it, it should be good, right?

[ganshert]

In a heartbeat

You got one I can borrow?

[Yellow Pig]

Depends on the itinerary!

[bthebird]

Originally Posted by Misery_Goat

throw a Safari tank on it, it should be good, right?

Forget it dude; It needs a good saddle to ride around the world! When do we leave?

[StevenD]

Been there, done that, on the Adventure. But when all you got is the SE, it's almost just as good :)

[Andy dawg]

Safari tank and Airhawk seat and you're good to go.

It helps to be able to do your own servicing

[mousitsas]

The bike will do it and better than the adv if you get a larger tank.
My only concern would be wearing out such a wonderful piece of machinery. The general consensus in such a trip is to not ride something you cant abandon in the middle of nowhere in a heartbit...but if money is not an issue though, go for it. If money is an issue, get a dr650 or an xt660r.

[dogsslober]

So could the SE. Like to see what all the" no" votes ride

[Misery Goat]

I actually find the SE far more comfortable than the Adv from an ergos standpoint. The lack of faring on the SE makes for a better ride imo and the SE seat is quite comfy.

[Country Doc]

I think it's overkill for a RTW bike. I'm sure it could do it, mechanically etc., and if it's all you have, load 'er up and go.

If it were my trip, I'd rather have a slower, less powerful, simpler machine, something that runs on bad gas, easier to service, with a stout subframe for all the gear and spares you'd need to carry.

Also I'd tend to take something that was a lot less attention-getting.

I haven't thought about what the best RTW bike would be in a while. It used to be an airhead GS, but the reality is they are too unreliable and expensive compared to more modern bikes to make them a good choice anymore, and they would take thousands of dollars of prep to make them ready. The 1150/1200's are too big. The 800 is unproven yet mechanically, but it might be a good choice

I'd probably take an F650GS, or a V-strom 650, or some boring, stone-reliable, stout bike like that.

dc

[rob1313]

Originally Posted by mousitsas

The general consensus in such a trip is to not ride something you cant abandon in the middle of nowhere in a heartbit...but if money is not an issue though, go for it.

This is the reason I voted no. I love my SE far too much. If I've got to abandon due to whatever issue or give up a machine because someone has a gun in my face I'd rather it was my KLR.

[testa]

its a bike and its made to ride. if you are lucky enough to have one and a rtw trip planned, ride it.

[Misery Goat]

Originally Posted by Country Doc

If it were my trip, I'd rather have a slower, less powerful, simpler machine, something that runs on bad gas, easier to service, with a stout subframe for all the gear and spares you'd need to carry.

This is where I was hoping the conversation would go.

I just did a trip in India on an Enfield (500cc single) covering ~3500KMs through the Himalayas and was pleasantly surprised by the bike.

No matter what I threw at it, it kept going. In talking with another member on the trip who owns a HP2 we both agreed had we had our more powerful bikes we would've been more likely to have a mishap.

My problem with the SE is I tend to ride it hard, it seems impossible to ride the bike in a "relaxed" manner. And anyone who's spent time on the ground in a third world country knows this behavior is not a good practice.

My main complaint with the Enfield was the lack of suspension and foot peg placement. The pegs are wayyy forward for my preference and it just felt odd, especially when you need to get up on the pegs. Still, the bike got it done with little by way of maintenance issues.

The cool factor is a big plus on the Enfield too imo.

[Possu]

The SE's more than capable but if doing an RTW trip, I'd opt for something cheaper & easier to service i.e. a bike that I could afford to abandon if it all went horribly wrong rather than a great bike that's no longer made & could well be a Classic in the future.

Something cheap & expendable that it would be impossible to get emotionally attached to i.e. a KLR.

[ryanwilliamcantrell]

Originally Posted by Country Doc

I think it's overkill for a RTW bike. I'm sure it could do it, mechanically etc., and if it's all you have, load 'er up and go.

If it were my trip, I'd rather have a slower, less powerful, simpler machine, something that runs on bad gas, easier to service, with a stout subframe for all the gear and spares you'd need to carry.

Also I'd tend to take something that was a lot less attention-getting.

I haven't thought about what the best RTW bike would be in a while. It used to be an airhead GS, but the reality is they are too unreliable and expensive compared to more modern bikes to make them a good choice anymore, and they would take thousands of dollars of prep to make them ready. The 1150/1200's are too big. The 800 is unproven yet mechanically, but it might be a good choice

I'd probably take an F650GS, or a V-strom 650, or some boring, stone-reliable, stout bike like that.

dc

I agree with all his points.

I've had a lot of different bikes. If I were going RTW, I'd be doing it on a KLR, not my 950A. I've had more issues on the 950A than I ever had on the KLR ~ granted, it's a much, much better ride on the 950A... but if I were going RTW, I'd sacrifice comfort for reliability and ease of maintenance.