good beginner motorcycle for touring

[83 chif]

I want to travel on a motorcycle. i've done bicycles and cars for long distances, but only have ridden my friends' motorcycles around town. what is a reliable machine to get as my first cycle? something affordable on a college student's budget, say under 1,000 beans. don't care if its pretty, just need some suggestions. should i look for a shaft driven bike? would an old dual sport, like a suzuki dr200 be terrible on a long trip? how many cc's should i be looking for? point me in the right direction please!
- doug

 

[Texx]

Depends on your definition of travel. Aroond town, not expedition, 300 mile weekends, an older Honda Shadow, shaft drive, water cooled, will run forever, and there's a million of em around. I'd stay away from a 200 for highway travel. Dual sport is fine, just need highway speed. My DR350 is a six speed, and with stock gearing will run 75 easily. DR650 or KLR 650 both travel well.

 

[Gumby]

This would be a good one to do a search on. There's got to be 4-5 threads on starter bikes already.

It really depends on what you want to do with it. narrow it down to cruiser, standard, dual-sport or sport bike.

 

[jonesy54]

here are some decent threads

https://forum.ih8mud.com/chit-chat-section/233680-best-all-around-road-motorcycle.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/chit-chat-section/231339-best-cafe-commuter-style-motorcycle.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/chit-chat-section/218884-dual-purpose-bikes.html

a smaller/older dual-sport will not be comfy for long travel.

I agree, an old shaft drive honda is definitely the way to go, shadow or nighthawk 650.

 

[79fj40moneypit]

Find a older kawasaki concours sport touring great bike shaft drive will run forever. it's a 1000cc but it is easy to ride handle. had one for several years. and had the bags, windshield. They were made for 10-12 years.

 

[grant5127]

And when your ready for something a bit larger-----> Leonhardt Manufacturing presents the Gunbus - The World's biggest Motorcycle

 

[LittleBlueSubaru]

In your price range you will not get to be to chosey. I would suggest Japanese for the reliability and accessability to parts. I personally do not like to take Street and Trail bikes on the highway for long distances. But if you are planning to travel with camping in mind they may still be a great option. Think about how you are going to stow your gear. With a cargo net you can safely stow alot right behind you on the seat, but when you stop you have to take all your stuff with you. Saddle bags rock for storage, hard ones are usually semi water proof.

Other very important things to think about would be picking the correct size bike for you. You say you want to travel, think about being on a crotch rocket for 10 hours, hands shoulders back all hurt. GEt something that is comfortable to sit on, that has a "comfortable riding position".

I would reccomend an older Honda Magna V45, Yamaha Virago something cruiserish that would fit the price range and be comfortable to ride. If you get lucky searching you might find an old touring bike, Honda CB750 with windscreen and luggage, or a Suzuki GS model with the windscreen and luggage.

Hope this helps.

 

[7mag]

And when your ready for something a bit larger-----> Leonhardt Manufacturing presents the Gunbus - The World's biggest Motorcycle

That can't be for real! 410 cu.in. V-twin?

 

[sirenmoses]

Find a older kawasaki concours sport touring great bike shaft drive will run forever. it's a 1000cc but it is easy to ride handle. had one for several years. and had the bags, windshield. They were made for 10-12 years.

x2, but not as a starter bike-- right sided top heavy and nothing dependable for under $1k. They are still being made, now called the C14. www.concours.org


x many re: search

 

[83 chif]

cycle

i think the 410 ci v-twin will ruin the cycle's benefit of getting good gas mileage.

i would definately like to go with a dual sport. i have a habit of not being able to stay on pavement.

i'm definately going with a japanese bike because of the reliabillity, cost and availabillity. a bmw just won't do....sigh....

since there are so many bikes out there, if i asked which dual sports to stay away from, would it be easier to guide me? are any plagued with problems? are any really top heavy and terrible for a starter bike?

 

[79fj40moneypit]

Sorry siren maybe I should have said the "original concours" I really didn't find it top heavy myself.

 

[PHAT MAX]

I personally do not like to take Street and Trail bikes on the highway for long distances.

to be truthful, if I ride my XR250L on the road for more than an hour...my pecker goes numb! Enduros are definately a no-no for me unless they're bigger than 450cc...hth

 

[KLF]

If you want to ride more than an hour or two, then you're really gonna want a fairing. It's exhausting holding yourself up against the wind. That eliminates most dual-purpose bikes.

I've owned several bikes in my earlier days, and by far my favorite was my '82 Honda GL500 Silverwing Interstate. It was like a mini-Goldwing.

(image stolen from HONDA GL500/650 SILVER WING)

They also made a GL650 a year later that had some nice improvements. I would love to have another one.