Craig
Marshall
Mobile: +27 741 90 99 77
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Which
Bike for Me ??
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Here is some advice from myself (Craig Marshall) - I have pretty
much tested everything on the market extensively, ridden them
over a period of two days or more on gravel, sand, rocks, rivers,
tarmac, wet and dry - in most terrains in Southern Africa.
There is NO ONE bike that is better than another.
Period. They all have a place in the market and they all have
a specific use sector and target rider suitability.
The bottom line is that you need to match up these 3 main reasons
other than price.
1. Rider Skill Level
2. Purpose of use
3. Choice of route for the bike and rider skill level.
(Which will change as riders get better)
If you are looking for any perfermance and handling information,
check out our BIKE
REVIEW section. |
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Things to Consider.
1. Retail Price, can I afford it?
2. Service Costs and Intervals.
3. Parts costs
4. Accessories costs (crash protection etc)
5. Labor costs at dealership
6. Resale value
7. Locations of dealerships to you
8. Road handling
9. Power, speed, torque
10. Road Safety
11. Off road ability
12. Centre of gravity
13. Comfort, sitting and standing
14. Styling, looks, rider feel
15. Bike weight (WET!!) ready to ride
16. Seat height and seat adjustability
17. Fuel carrying capacity
18. General hard worthiness
19. Does it match my skill level, and will it in 12 months time
20. Can I test ride it in similar situations to how I intend
to ride
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Some
of the Dont's:
Here is an example of some of the do's and don't's
when it come to choosing a motorcycle suited to your type of riding
or intended riding.
Don't
buy the wrong bike for the wrong use - for example, a 450cc enduro
bike if you intend to ride it on the tarmac to work and back,
or to Kenya on the main highways loaded up with your wife on the
back.
And at the other end of the scale don't buy a huge 1200 Adventure
tourer of you going to ride technical two spoor tracks and deep
sand in Namibia. This is the extreme scenarios, but you get the
message.
Don't buy
a specific bike because your buddy has one and he/she says its
the best.
Don't buy a specific
bike because you saw a glossy magazine advert and it looks awesome.
Don't buy a specific
bike just because the dealership looks fancy.
Don't buy a specific
bike only because of what it can do off road.
Don't buy a specific
bike because of how fast it is.
Don't buy a specific
bike because you heard it can go around the world so it must be
the best.
................(Are
you going around the world ?)
Don't
listen to the crap some dealership salesman feed you.
Always get a second and third opinion
.........from
an experienced source. |
Some
of the Do's:
Do your
research, and test as many bikes as you can.
Do a skills training course if
you havent ridden in many years.
Do look around at the rentals market
and rent a similar bike for a few weekend rides.
..... Its less outlay to rent initially
and will definitely guide you towards the right decision.
Do
read all the specifications on the intended purchase and not only
from one source.
Do
spend time in several dealerships and be sure its where you would
spend your money.
Do
have the dealership set the demo
bike up for your body height, and explain all the features. |
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Motorcycle
Brands, Dual Purpose Models and Suitability
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| BMW |
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| BMW
F650GS Sertao |
Good
beginner, ladies, and up to intermediate commuter and weekend
adventure rider. Best ridden solo |
| BMW
F800GS |
Good
beginner, up to intermediate commuter and weekend adventure
rider and long distance multi day trips. Best ridden solo,
but will handle pillions easily |
| BMW
F1200GSA |
Fantastic
intermediate & expert rider, tall riders only, long
distance tourer, solo and pillion, all surfaces except deep
sand and mud. |
| YAMAHA |
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| Yamaha
XT660 R |
Good
beginner, ladies, and up to intermediate commuter and weekend
adventure rider. Best ridden solo |
| Yamaha
XT660 Z Tenere |
Good
beginner, up to intermediate, tall riders, commuter and
weekend adventure rider and long distance multi day trips.
Best ridden solo. |
| Yamaha
XT1200 Z Super Tenere |
Fantastic
intermediate & expert rider, long distance tourer, technical
gravel , solo and pillion, all surfaces except deep sand
and mud. |
| KTM |
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| KTM
690 Super Enduro (Oryx) |
Awesome
for real hardcore adventurers, Intermediate & experts
only, short trips, hard as it comes. Best ridden solo |
| KTM
990 Adventure |
Fantastic
intermediate & expert rider, long distance tourer, technical
gravel , solo and pillion, all surfaces except deep sand
and mud. |
| KTM
950 Super Enduro |
Awesome
for real hardcore adventurers, long distance touring in
the hardest terrain, Intermediate & experts only, short
trips, hard as it comes. Best ridden solo |
| KAWASAKI |
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| Kawasaki
KLR 650 |
Good
Old school beginner, tall riders, and up to intermediate
commuter and weekend adventure rider and multi day long
trips. Best ridden solo |
| HONDA |
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| Honda
XL700 V Transalp |
Good
beginner, and up to intermediate commuter and weekend adventure
rider. Best ridden solo |
| Honda
FR1200X Crosstourer Adventure |
Good
intermediate commuter and weekend adventure rider and long
distance multi day trips. solo and pillion, tar and gravel
roads. |
| SUZUKI |
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| Suzuki
DR650SE |
Awesome
for Beginners, ladies, Intermediate & experts, short
trips, hard as it comes. Best ridden solo |
|
Suzuki V-Strom 650 |
Good
beginner, and up to intermediate commuter and weekend adventure
rider. Best ridden solo |
| TRIUMPH |
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| Triumph
Tiger 800 |
Good
beginner, up to intermediate commuter and weekend adventure
rider predominantly tar. Best ridden solo, but will handle
pillions easily |
| Triumph
Tiger 800XC |
Good
beginner, up to intermediate commuter and weekend adventure
rider and long distance multi day trips. Best ridden solo,
but will handle pillions easily |
| Triumph
Tiger Explorer 1200 |
Fantastic
intermediate & expert rider, long distance tourer, technical
gravel , solo and pillion, all surfaces except deep sand
and mud. |
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