Hi everyone,
I have previously posed a thread located at:
https://www.city-data.com/forum/motor...win-honda.html
and would like to get some input from fellow two - wheelers out there who may be able to assist me in my search.
I am looking for a good quality Japanese (Honda/Yamaha/Kawasaki)...or other..... which takes on the shape of a Dual Purpose bike for Road 70% and Off Road 30% ......similar to the Africa Twin.
I have ridden extensively and favor the Africa Twin 750cc as my bike of preference but they are very hard to come by in the USA. I have ridden the Suzuki DR800 as well as the Africa Twin extensively in the Andes, South America, and Africa, and the latter remains to be my favorite.
Many people in the USA (only one on thread) suggested a BMW 650 but my reasons are stated in the thread: not enough spares freely available.....and waiting for spares to be shipped can be a pain in the butt.
I know there are older, used models of the Africa Twin and Trans Alp available, but would like to be able to look at something with lower mileage, less wear and tear, preferably in the 2004-2008 time frame.
Can anyone suggest a Japanese bike (or other... except BMW) that has similar appearance / performance, economy, and reliability?..... and of course, spares are freely available.
I would not consider dropping below the 600cc line.
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Question 2:
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I have been riding a DR1000 in Argentina for the last three years.
While they are great sport bikes and road conditions in Argentina are ideal for this type of experience (i.e. - no speed limits, roads that one can travel 300 miles without seeing another person, great big wide open spaces when one can see another traveler for miles in Patagonia) I am concerned that US Road conditions/regulations will not provide me with the same riding experience on such a big bike.
Comments please from sport bike riders appreciated..
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Question 3.
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Having been a bike rider since the age of 12 (mainly off road) and having my current motorcycle license (valid for the next 4 years) without any provable (I have the records) negatives/fines/misdemeanors, I will have to renew my license locally on my return to the USA.
I have previously ridden bikes across the USA/Canada with foreign driving licenses and was allowed to do so as I did not remain in the countries for longer than three months at a time on each trip. So driving licenses were not an issue.
Presenting my previous driving license from another country... will this make things any easier for a local (US) license?
I am keen to do the instructional driving courses (MSF or the like) to get rid of what I am sure are old and bad habits, and learn something new, new trends/laws etc, or give me an "awareness" on USA roads again.
Appreciate any comments on the above 3 questions...by the way, I am a recreational rider of 54 years of age. No racing, just fun.....
Ride Safe....
Dee