Motorcycle Tour Pack Lights
Planning a long cross country tour on a motorcycle… I’m thinking the BMW F650GS, What do you think?
I’ve been riding for about 3 years now. I’ve had mostly street legal dirt bikes. My fist bike was a 2007 KLX250 that I put almost 12000 miles on in one year. I moved up to a KLX 400 w/ a big bore 440 kit. Tons of fun in the woods. Then I got a 2003 KTM 200 exc. All were street legal and plated but I never did more then 50 or 60 miles a day. (Except for the KLX 250, I rode that thing all day every day everywhere around town, just not on the highways)
I’m looking to buy a BMW F650GS to take me across country through back roads, dirt trails, highways, campsites and whatever else I may encounter. I know for sure I wouldn’t take the KLX 440… too light, no wind screen, vibrates like all hell, and its hard to pack gear on.
Thoughts? Ideas? Previous Trip experiences?
Thanks!
The BMW will do it. It will be pretty nice on the road for a 650, and pretty heavy off-road. Fine for gravel roads and 2-track, but a bit unwieldy as the going gets rougher. Its fuel-injected engine will get better gas mileage than the other 650s. Luggage capacity is not a problem. If you can’t pack everything you need for a month or two, then you are bringing way too much crap.
I think the KLR650 is better bang for the buck, and you can load it up just as well with available luggage from a number of sources.
My favorite in the class, however, is the Suzuki DR650. It isn’t got quite as roomy with camping gear, but packing light is always a virtue. Put a Corbin seat and IMS 4.9 gal. tank on it.
I have traveled extensively on 650 dual sports. It’s harder to rack up the big-mileage days than it is with a dedicated road bike, but if you keep to 250-400 miles a day and take all the detours and back routes you can find you will have an excellent adventure.
Harley Tour-Pak Light Bar Installation By California Custom Parts
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