What's the best walkabout bike

[Riceburner]

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So what do ya all think would be the best walkabout bike to tour Europe or more for a year or so? Mostly on road, but ya never know if you have to hit a dirt road to get somewhere. Has to have lockable panniers and not too big. Shaft drive a must?
The R1200GS would be nice but too big and too expensive. Maybe an economy version of the F800ST or F650GS? Who else make something similar? Not going Longway Round, but sticking to maybe EU countries....or head east to Asia. Probably something made in the last decade or so just to be fresh..ish as far as longevity of this kind of tour.

 

[STARSHIP]

Honda Translap is very popular in Europe but a bmw 650/800 GS would be great too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Transalp

 

[jc100]

My brother took a fazer across the alps and more. Didn't have a problem.

 

[MacDoc]

One up or two up will make a big difference....the BMW Scarver might work

- nice storage options and the weight down low unlike most full dual sports. Add a top case and your in and it's pretty versatile ride and no chain oiling.

KLR 650 since parts are everywhere, bikes and cheap and lots of optional hardware - but it's a tall top heavy sucker.

 

[rib]

klr 650 would be my #1 choice for a budget.

, ktm makes a few nice ones that would work as well.

 

[Chaos]

V-Strom?

 

[D23]

990 Adventure is probably the only thing I would feel is comparable to a BMW...

 

[espro]

Looked at the Yamaha Super Ténéré? It's shaft drive: http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/products.php?section=ov&model=3631

What you gotta consider as well though is dealer support networks. Will you be in countries without a strong presence for a certain manufacturer? Is the bike too out of the ordinary for a regular mechanic to deal with? What kind of parts support is there if something serious breaks?

 

[MacDoc]

Yeah big factor which is why if heading east the KLR pre-2008 makes the most sense as parts are interchangeable back 20 years.
It can be lowered and street tires put on for Euro cruising then turned back into proper dual sport.
Third party seat almost mandatory for extensive rides.
There are just tons of mod and luggage options out there andmany on the market nicely tricked out for $4k or less.

 

[jolomatic]

Don't know if it suits your plans, but have you considered a Ural?

They're briniging out a non-sidecar version for less than 8k, and apparantly anyone who can work on old BMWs can fix 'em.

You'd sure look better getting there, LOL.

 

[AGS]

V-Strom, either DL1000 or ABS 650

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