Bike for Africa...

[cable tie]

Got this email from a friend this morning. Mmmmmmm not to sure if the 660 Tenere was out when he made his pick! :

WHAT MOTORCYCLE FOR AFRICA????????
From decades of travel experience in and throughout Africa below is our personal choice in order of preference and recommendation of the best suited Adventure Motorcycles to use when considering serious adventure motorcycling riding or crossing Africa, understanding the following:
•        The weight of the motorcycle is a major factor
•        Bigger cc capacity is not important (bigger is not better)
•        Fuel capacity is important
•        The capability of being able to run on diesel/kerosene in the event of a “no petrol available emergency” – remove the CAT (Catalytic converter)
•        21” front wheels are a definite recommendation over 19” front wheels
•        Tyre sizes are a factor – 18” rear tyres and 19” front tyres are difficult to locate in the event of an emergency
•        Upgraded front and rear suspensions is number 1 priority
•        Good and suited tyres are number 2 priority

ALL ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLES ARE GREAT…………….. BUT SOME ARE MORE SUITED THAN OTHERS

NO 1 
HONDA XRV750 AFRICA TWIN
                                                                                                         
PROS
•        VERY, VERY RELIABLE AND DURABLE
•        VERY WELL GEARED
•        GOOD FUEL CONSUMPTION AND FUEL RANGE
•        GIVE VERY FEW PROBLEMS
•        EXCELLENT HEADLIGHTS
•        EXCELLENT OFF ROAD CAPABILITY
•        HAVE EXCELLENT QUALITY STANDARD BASH PLATES AND WELL DESIGNED ENGINE PROTECTION
•        GOOD SUSPENSION
•        GOOD POWER FOR 2 UP WITH PILLION RIDER
•        WHEEL RIMS ARE VERY, VERY DURABLE
•        EXCELLENT ALL ROUND MOTORCYCLE
CONS
•        REGRETTABLY DISCONTINUED
•        NO CENTER/MAIN STAND
•        SEAT IS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR LONG DISTANCE
•        PARTS ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN SOUTH AFRICA
•        REGRETTABLY NOT WELL MARKETED AT THE TIME BY HONDA SA

NO 2 
BMW F650 DAKAR

PROS
•        VERY RELIABLE AND DURABLE
•        VERY WELL GEARED
•        GOOD FUEL CONSUMPTION AND FUEL RANGE
•        GIVE VERY FEW PROBLEMS
•        EASY TO WORK ON
•        GOOD SPARE PARTS AVAILABILITY
•        FAIR SUSPENSION
•        GOOD OFF ROAD CAPABILITY
•        WHEEL RIMS ARE DURABLE
•        EXCELLENT ALL ROUND MOTORCYCLE
CONS
•        REGRETTABLY DISCONTINUED
•        VERY POOR HEADLIGHTS
•        SEAT IS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR LONG DISTANCE
•        VERY LOW WINDSHIELD WHICH ALLOWS THE WIND TO BUFFET THE RIDERS
•        NO CENTER/MAIN STAND
•        LACK OF POWER FOR 2 UP WITH PILLION RIDER

NO 3 
                                    BMW F800GS
                                                                                                                                    PROS
•        VERY RELIABLE AND DURABLE
•        VERY WELL GEARED (IMPROVED GEARING IS AVAILABLE)
•        GOOD FUEL CONSUMPTION AND FUEL RANGE (IMPROVED GEARING CAN CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVED FUEL RANGE)
•        GIVE FEW PROBLEMS
•        GOOD SPARE PARTS AVAILABILITY
•        GOOD POWER FOR 2 UP WITH PILLION RIDER
•        GOOD OFF ROAD CAPABILITY
CONS
•        VERY POOR HEADLIGHTS
•        SEAT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FOR LONG DISTANCE
•        WHEEL RIMS ARE WEAK AND DENT VERY EASILY
•        VERY LOW WINDSHIELD WHICH ALLOWS THE WIND TO BUFFET THE RIDER
•        WHEEL BEARING PROBLEMS (IF NOT CHECKED REGULARLY)
•        STEERING HEAD BEARINGS NEED TO BE CHECKED REGULARLY

NO 4 
KTM 950/990
                                                                                                PROS
•        VERY, VERY RELIABLE AND DURABLE
•        VERY WELL GEARED
•        GOOD FUEL CONSUMPTION AND FUEL RANGE AT 100/120 KM’S
•        GIVE VERY FEW PROBLEMS
•        EXCELLENT OFF ROAD CAPABILITY
•        EXCELLENT SUSPENSION
•        GOOD POWER FOR 2 UP WITH PILLION RIDER
•        FAIR SPARE PARTS AVAILABILITY
CONS
•        SPECIFIC ENGINE OIL REQUIREMENT (ONLY AVAILABLE FROM KTM DEALERS)
•        WHEEL RIMS ARE WEAK AND DENT VERY EASILY
•        SEAT IS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR LONG DISTANCE
•        POOR HEADLIGHTS
•        18” REAR TYRE – DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN AFRICA

NO 5 
KAWASAKI KLR 650
                                                                                                                                 
PROS
•        VERY, VERY RELIABLE AND DURABLE
•        WELL GEARED
•        GOOD FUEL CONSUMPTION AND FUEL RANGE
•        GIVE VERY FEW PROBLEMS
•        FAIR OFF ROAD CAPABILITY
•        FAIR SUSPENSION
•        WHEEL RIMS ARE DURABLE
•        FAIR SPARE PARTS AVAILABILITY
CONS
•        GENERALLY UNDERPOWERED
•        NO FRONT FORK STABILIZER (THE FRONT FORKS FLEX VERY EASILY)
•        POOR HEADLIGHT
•        SEAT IS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR LONG DISTANCE
•        LOW WINDSHIELD ALLOWS THE WIND TO BUFFET THE RIDER
•        NO CENTER/MAIN STAND
•        LACK OF POWER FOR 2 UP WITH PILLION RIDER
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