Shopping for my first touring bike - Page 3

jules083 · 04-13-2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thanantos

No votes for the VFR?

Seems it would fit the bill (although maybe not the best bike for 2-up), and there are some in the FM right now that fit your price range.

That's what I was thinking too. I've never ridden one but my friend has a bunch of 2 up miles on his, him and his wife are both happy with it. He recently added a KLR to the stable, but his wife hasn't ridden it yet so no word on that.

I used to own an Aprilia Futura that was pretty good with a passenger. I should have kept that bike, I miss it now.

Dan Man · 04-13-2012, 10:50 AM

I rode a Vstrom650 from the North America to South America, and I personnally would not recommend it for 2up. I was solo the whole trip, except I did a few months of exploring in Ecuador with my girlfriend. The wee has a lot of front end dive even with stiffer, non progressive springs. If you do go this route, you need to put some money into the suspension......I even had my raised.

The 1000 apparently has cartridge forks.........

I did just for two days in Colombia have it fully loaded with a passenger and just couldn't do it anymore........it was very unenjoyable.

A motorcycle is designed for one person IMO.

fastback1 · 04-18-2012, 05:13 PM

I bought a used 2005 650 vstrom last year and went to alaska solo.I left southern ontario and went to arizona first and then north back up to Canada and did the dalton as well as most of the alaska hwys.Then south to montana and then home.18,000 miles in 11 weeks.The bike certainly suited me and when I got home I bought a new one.Can't say enough good things about it.I am 64 years old and if it suits me it would suit anyone.A friend of mine has the same bike and his girlfriend and him went up the dempster when they got to alaska 2 up.There are lots of fine machines to choose from but it comes down to were you will be going with it and your budget.I got 65 mpg with it by the way.I paid 4000 for it used with 35,000 miles on it and sold it for 3200 with 60,000 miles on it.No oil use or other problems.
Bruce

04-13-2012, 10:50 AM	#32
Dan Man motorcycless Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Nashville, TN Oddometer: 424	I rode a Vstrom650 from the North America to South America, and I personnally would not recommend it for 2up. I was solo the whole trip, except I did a few months of exploring in Ecuador with my girlfriend. The wee has a lot of front end dive even with stiffer, non progressive springs. If you do go this route, you need to put some money into the suspension......I even had my raised. The 1000 apparently has cartridge forks......... I did just for two days in Colombia have it fully loaded with a passenger and just couldn't do it anymore........it was very unenjoyable. A motorcycle is designed for one person IMO. __________________ "the journey is the goal"

04-18-2012, 05:13 PM	#33
fastback1 n00b Joined: Mar 2012 Oddometer: 2	vstrom I bought a used 2005 650 vstrom last year and went to alaska solo.I left southern ontario and went to arizona first and then north back up to Canada and did the dalton as well as most of the alaska hwys.Then south to montana and then home.18,000 miles in 11 weeks.The bike certainly suited me and when I got home I bought a new one.Can't say enough good things about it.I am 64 years old and if it suits me it would suit anyone.A friend of mine has the same bike and his girlfriend and him went up the dempster when they got to alaska 2 up.There are lots of fine machines to choose from but it comes down to were you will be going with it and your budget.I got 65 mpg with it by the way.I paid 4000 for it used with 35,000 miles on it and sold it for 3200 with 60,000 miles on it.No oil use or other problems. Bruce

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